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What should I do? Re
Ill keep this brief with just the details:
The diagnosis:
I was diagnosed with HSV2 about a year and a half ago via blood test... Never had an outbreak or anything that looked or felt like herpes. Prior to the diagnosis I did have two 1 night stands. unprotected Vaginal intercourse lasting less than 1 minute, then proceeded to put on protection. All this took place while on a break with girlfriend of 3 years, since then we have gotten back together and have unprotected sex often. She has never had an outbreak or any symptoms either.
The test results:
I wish i had all the details but upon receiving the news "oh it looks like you have genital herpes, no worries its common, see you later" I freaked out and trashed the paperwork. but if i remember correctly the reading was hsv2 index value of 5. What does this tell me?
Moving forward:
Ive never taken an antiviral but now that my relationship is over I'm concerned about transmitting to anyone else. Can someone break down how effective Valtrex is for daily therapy?
Extra:
I know earlier i said that I've never seen anything that resembles hsv2 but i have had this section on my shaft about the size of a dime that gets a white looking coat to it then flakes off. doesn't itch at all. Can someone explain this?
Another Extra that i just thought about..
At the time of the test I had a rash on my lower abdomen at my belt line..it was a very very itchy rash...i crossed that off as hsv2 but could it be?
Thanks in advance for the help..This last year and a half has been hell for me.
The diagnosis:
I was diagnosed with HSV2 about a year and a half ago via blood test... Never had an outbreak or anything that looked or felt like herpes. Prior to the diagnosis I did have two 1 night stands. unprotected Vaginal intercourse lasting less than 1 minute, then proceeded to put on protection. All this took place while on a break with girlfriend of 3 years, since then we have gotten back together and have unprotected sex often. She has never had an outbreak or any symptoms either.
The test results:
I wish i had all the details but upon receiving the news "oh it looks like you have genital herpes, no worries its common, see you later" I freaked out and trashed the paperwork. but if i remember correctly the reading was hsv2 index value of 5. What does this tell me?
Moving forward:
Ive never taken an antiviral but now that my relationship is over I'm concerned about transmitting to anyone else. Can someone break down how effective Valtrex is for daily therapy?
Extra:
I know earlier i said that I've never seen anything that resembles hsv2 but i have had this section on my shaft about the size of a dime that gets a white looking coat to it then flakes off. doesn't itch at all. Can someone explain this?
Another Extra that i just thought about..
At the time of the test I had a rash on my lower abdomen at my belt line..it was a very very itchy rash...i crossed that off as hsv2 but could it be?
Thanks in advance for the help..This last year and a half has been hell for me.
COMMUNITY LEADER
If you can get a copy of the result, that would be great. Just call your doctor and ask for it. Even if they just give you the number, that would be helpful.
If it was a 5.something, that's a pretty clear positive. The stuff below your beltline could have been herpes, or could have been a fungal infection, an allergic reaction - it's a long list of possibilities, and you won't ever know now.
The white spot sounds more like a fungal infection than herpes, or possibly really dry skin.
Herpes outbreaks are blisters that eventually scab over. They might resemble paper cuts, but are more likely to be blisters.
Assuming for this discussion that you do have it, valtrex is really effective if you take it daily.
We know the transmission rates for certain things - condoms, avoiding sex during outbreaks, etc.
The transmission rates for hsv2, male to female, over the course of a year, assuming sex 2-3 times a week:
Only avoiding sex during an outbreak - 8-10%
Adding condoms OR daily suppression - 4-5%
Adding condoms AND daily suppression - 2-3%
If your number was a 5, it doesn't tell you anything than you are definitely positive. It doesn't tell you how long you've had it, how many outbreaks you'll get, etc.
You should read the Herpes Handbook at https://westoverheights.com/herpes/the-updated-herpes-handbook/ It's free, and written by one of the world's leading experts on herpes.
Let us know what questions you have, and if you're able to get your actual test results.
If it was a 5.something, that's a pretty clear positive. The stuff below your beltline could have been herpes, or could have been a fungal infection, an allergic reaction - it's a long list of possibilities, and you won't ever know now.
The white spot sounds more like a fungal infection than herpes, or possibly really dry skin.
Herpes outbreaks are blisters that eventually scab over. They might resemble paper cuts, but are more likely to be blisters.
Assuming for this discussion that you do have it, valtrex is really effective if you take it daily.
We know the transmission rates for certain things - condoms, avoiding sex during outbreaks, etc.
The transmission rates for hsv2, male to female, over the course of a year, assuming sex 2-3 times a week:
Only avoiding sex during an outbreak - 8-10%
Adding condoms OR daily suppression - 4-5%
Adding condoms AND daily suppression - 2-3%
If your number was a 5, it doesn't tell you anything than you are definitely positive. It doesn't tell you how long you've had it, how many outbreaks you'll get, etc.
You should read the Herpes Handbook at https://westoverheights.com/herpes/the-updated-herpes-handbook/ It's free, and written by one of the world's leading experts on herpes.
Let us know what questions you have, and if you're able to get your actual test results.
2 Comments
I appreciate the response but let me ask you this... given that it’s relatively tough to transmit hsv2 do you think it’s likely that I got this from 1 of the 2 one night stands with limited unprotected vaginal sex?
Also given I’ve never had any noticeable blisters or anything that resembles hsv2 would those percentages possibly go down?
Since the diagnosis I’ve also seen a rise in my HSV1 activity, is that normal?
Also given I’ve never had any noticeable blisters or anything that resembles hsv2 would those percentages possibly go down?
Since the diagnosis I’ve also seen a rise in my HSV1 activity, is that normal?
Hi - I'm sorry I missed this.
You'll likely never know how you got this. How long after you were with the one night stands did you test? It can take up to 12 weeks to develop antibodies for hsv2, but you can as soon as a few weeks. That timing might help you narrow it down.
I'd really love for you to get your test results. A 5.something is clearly positive, but if you misheard him, and he said, "1.5", that could easily be a false positive.
It isn't normal for you to get an increase in your hsv1 activity. Could you be more stressed? Stress is a big trigger for hsv, either 1 or 2.
You'll likely never know how you got this. How long after you were with the one night stands did you test? It can take up to 12 weeks to develop antibodies for hsv2, but you can as soon as a few weeks. That timing might help you narrow it down.
I'd really love for you to get your test results. A 5.something is clearly positive, but if you misheard him, and he said, "1.5", that could easily be a false positive.
It isn't normal for you to get an increase in your hsv1 activity. Could you be more stressed? Stress is a big trigger for hsv, either 1 or 2.
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
