Recently infected with HSV2

[Anon107]

I'm 27, and I was recently infected with HSV2.  I know the person who infected me, and worry that they might infect others.  What should I do?  How do you broach a subject like that?  

Also, how can one live with HSV2?  I've only begun to read articles online.

Thanks.

[auntiejessi]

Well, before you get angry, just remember that 90% of those with genital hsv2 don't know they have it because they either get no symptoms, or get such mild symptoms they wouldn't think of attributing them to herpes.

Aj

[Anon107]

God.  I'm so angry with my partner.  It's a new partner, and we're in an "open" relationship.  So they could have gotten it from someone else in between sleeping with me.  The trace back.. well it could go back for a ways...

I was diagnosed via culture.  The doc is running more tests and will let me know next week when I go back in for my follow up.  

Thanks again.  All great places to start.  I'm so happy there is a group out there.. I felt so alone.

[auntiejessi]

Hi there -

Have you told the person you think infected you?  If you haven't, you should, as there is a good chance he/she doesn't know they have it, as 90% don't know.  You can just say, "I was just diagnosed with herpes, and am thinking it came from you.  I'm not blaming you, but thought you should know in case you weren't aware that you even had it."

Living with herpes isn't all that different than without it.  The only difference is that you now have to have the STD talk with your partners, but that's something you should do anyway.  :)

How were you diagnosed with hsv2?  Was it a typed culture or blood test?  I ask because about 50% of all new genital herpes infections are from type 1, the result of someone with oral herpes type 1 performing oral sex on someone.  If you don't know for sure what type you have, you should find out if that was done or not.  If it wasn't, you'll need to follow up with a type specific IgG blood test.  The number (1 or 2) doesn't tell the location.  Its actually the strain of the virus.

You should read the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com and check out the herpes forum here.  They are both really good places to start.

Aj