Question:
While on vacation a week ago I had suspected symptoms of herpes. I am positive per physical exam by my doctor, lab results are pending, not blood tests however, just a swab of a lesion. My boyfriend af a yaer and a half is aware, I told him as soon as I suspected. We were on vacation together and had unprotected sex before I had any clue of what was causing my irritation. This was my first OB ever and I was totally shocked. I cried rediculously as soon as I suspected for obvious reasons, and for fear that I have infected him, but he comforted me and assured me that his feelings for me were not changed and was quite upset when he realized that I thought they may be changed....he is truely the love of my life. I divorced 3 years ago after a 20 yr marriage and have had 3 parteners since. My boyfriend also recently divorced after a 17 year marriage and claims that I am his first partener since the separation but believes his ex was unfaithful. I know that who infected who is not the real issue but yet one wonders. I have shared with him all of my resaerch and because the virus can stay dormant for so long and can be spread without symptoms (which he has never had) he is begining to feel that he may have given it to me. Also, he is very curious to know if he is positive. My doctor never discused blood tests with me, or very little of anything else...he was very cold to say the least. Please tell me if I am correct in my thinking here: If we are both tested via blood tests and I am pos but he is not, it is obvious who had the virus originally but he should be retested in a few months to see if he develops antibodies. Again, the same goes if he is pos and I am not . My question is, if we are both pos, are there antibody levels associated with the tests that can predict who was infected first? My doctor tells me that if we have been having sex for a year and a half he is most likely infected. I just want to relieve any guilt that he my be feeling at this point. Also, please share with me any similar experiences. I read that these blood tests are expensive. How expensive? Are they readily available? Does insurance cover them? I truly want to spend the rest of my life with this man, and the feelings are mutual. We had a great physical relationship and I am so worried about how this will affect that part of our relationship. While he is understanding, he is still very angry, not at me but at the situation. He has been asking questions about how to protect himself now if he is neg and if we are going to live the rest of our lives together I feel that that is almost impossible sice condoms do not stop transmisson of the virus. Do most of you who are in longterm monogamous relationships use condoms? Please forward any advice. I feel so dead inside. I never in a million years thought I would be dealing with something like this.
Thanks,
T

Answer:
I was just diagnosed yesterday and the lesions are still here and it hurts so bad. This is also my first ever experience with something like this, but anyway you can go to your local health department, OB-GYN, or emergency room. And yes your insurance company should pay for it if you have full coverage as in doctor visits 80/20 or 75/25 etc. I wish you the best of luck. i also got my medical records from three years ago. And had nothing, I even have a five month old daughter by the bastard. Sorry I'm really pissed, very upset and I hope i helped you. Would love to talk sometimes if u want to my email is toria101104@yahoo.com. Good Luck On Your Results

Answer:
Thanks for your reply Toria! I got confirmation yesterday; the culture was pos for type 2. I am just upset that I will never really know who I got this terrible thing from because of the whole dormancy thing. I have been going to the same doctor for years and have never showed any signs or symptoms of this before. My boyfriend is rather hesitant to get a blood test because he sees little value in the results; he is not running away and the ability to keep from getting the virus is almost impossible. However he is reluctant to even discuss the whole issue and we have not been intimate since the my first suspicions. There is so much that is just a mystery, including how often and how serious my OB will be. So far the first OB was very minor but irritating just the same.
T

Answer:
your first OB was nothing?? wow that is amazing, my first one has been going on for like 6 days and it is hell, they hurt really bad and there lots of them (i think I cant look I will die) and they hurt not itch. And the flu was insane I get migraines and this was like a 4 day incurable migraine, now its gone and so are the body aches. Im really glad for you that your first one was OK that means the rest probably will be to... good luck, stay strong you are not alone!!! Xxxooo hugs to you... and dont worrie at least your BF has not run away yet and give yourself and him time to process the info. I almost freaked out and called my last 3 exes then decided against it since they will tell everyone.. OMG she has Herpes... Not good...

Answer:
Maybe she went to the doctor right away after she suspected something..cause yeah..my first ob was hell. I had to get in the bathtub full of water just I could go pee. It was terrible. If your first out break was nothing you most likely arent going to be bothered by the other ones..
You'll be alright..you kinda figure this virus out after time. It's controllable. Good luck.

Del[/i]

Answer:
:cry: Hey everyone. I just got diagnosed 2 days ago and i feel like crap. I cant believe this. You never think anything like this is going to happen to you. I got married 2 months ago to the love of my life and I told him as soon as I found out. He loves me and doesnt care what I have as long as he has me. It is so scary to me. I am very sick. I have a very high fever, you can see the glands in my neck sticking out. I am on Valtrex and it was making me sick so my doctor prescribed some anti nausea pills that work great. I know exactly who gave it to me. My ex boyfriend who I dumped a couple years ago is the culprit. He got gonorhea while he was with me and I want to hunt him down and kill him. I cant emotionally deal with this right now. I cant believe it. I cant believe that I havent shown symtoms untill now. okay I wont vent anymore but if anyone needs someone to talk to as much as i do about it write me. my email address is licketysplitpetcare@yahoo.com
Thanks!!

Answer:
Thanks to all of you for the positive comments. I hope you are all right about the future OBs; this virus carries so many uncertainties with it.
Ms. T

Answer:
... And the flu was insane I get migraines and this was like a 4 day incurable migraine, now its gone and so are the body aches. Im really glad for you that your first one was OK that means the rest probably will be to... good luck,... You know what, pretty, I have a strong feeling your "migraines" were not migraines and your "flu" was not the flu.

Your symptoms are exactly like mine were shortly after contracting herpes. I was on the phone with the emergency room and some private doctors, and they told me it sounded like I had the flu. At the emergency room they told me I had a migraine and sent me home.

Let me make a loooog story short: they were all wrong. What I actually had was meningitis as a result of the herpers infection.

At first it seems like the flu---body aches and stiffness, fatigue, headache. Then it seemed to go away. But I didn't know what was coming after that. It came back after about a week of feeling 'ok' (I later learned it hadn't really gone away, but was in a different stage). When it came back, I nearly died. I was on the floor having seizures and lost the ability to walk or stand up straight. (This was 5 hours after being sent home from the emergency room where they told me I was just having a migraine and gave me pain medication. ) The "migraine" was actually the swelling of my brain covering. This happens for something like 6% of people (women) who contract herpes, but it is very serious.

I would advise you to get on some suppressive drugs at high dosages as soon as you can.

Answer:
There has been a couple of posts lately about herpes infections causing more serious infections such as meningitis and other nerve disorders. It's really starting to freak me out because I'm not on any suppressive medications since my first outbreak was pretty minor and I have only had one outbreak in over a year (knock on wood). So what do you guys feel are the chances of me getting any of these more serious conditions as a result of having herpes since I'm not on any meds???