Question:
Hey everyone,

So, I went to the OBGYN today for a different issue (cyst), and asked about my Herpes test that came back positive yesterday. I only have HSV 2. She really had a lot of comforting things to say to me, and made me worry a lot less. My husband is the one with the outbreaks and I have never had one. She said since I would have been exposed over 3 years ago, and never had an outbreak, that I may never get one. She said that my immune system must be supressing the virus. I hope that is true.

She eased my fears about spreading it to my son. One thing I forgot to ask her was about spreading it to other parts of your body. How likely is it, and since my husband and I have it what about spreading it to eachother in different areas? She did say that I cant be re-infected so im going to assume that it means that it wont spread? Im a little confused....

Answer:
re-reinfection you have it so you can't get it for a first time again. As for spreading it to your mouth or other parts of your body it is possible.

let me give you a reference point using myself as an example. I more than likely got this from my ex husband over 10 years ago without ever knowing it. I had no idea he'd had an affair or had hsv.

two years ago I had my first classic ob. In 8 years I did not spread this to other parts of my body. I didn't take any special precautions or take antiviral meds. I didn't know I had it at all.

If you know you have it you will be careful not to spread it. The only risk you face is within your own marriage and your sexual activities with your husband. You will decide with your husband how you want to proceed and there is no wrong decision between the two of you as long as you both have an equal opportunity to choose how to proceed.

It is not a good idea to have sexual contact while either of you have an active ob. This can move the virus to a new or otherwise uninfected area or the nervous system itself can cause ob's to show up in other locations connected to the lumbrosacral ganglia. It won't however suddenly show up on your big toe of it's own accord.

Answer:
One thing that you said in your post: "two years ago I had my first classic ob. In 8 years I did not spread this to other parts of my body. I didn't take any special precautions or take antiviral meds. I didn't know I had it at all."

Thats what I am trying to figure out. I apparently had this for at least 3-4 years (in the event my husband gave it to me) without even knowing it, not taking any special precautions, not doing anything differently. My husband and I have been having regular sexual intercourse (includes oral on eachother) and we both have not had coldsores or any type of "spreading". As you know my husband does get genital sores. I dont. Im sure I have touched them at one point in time, not realizing they were Herpes.

It seems like now I know I have this virus, my mind is either playing tricks on me, im going crazy, or experiencing reality. I have been having itching on the bottom of my legs for 2 weeks now (before Herpes was diagnosed)....no sores or anything, just itching. It feels like my whole body started to "itch" after finding out I had this. Is it possible to spread it to your legs? Why would it just be "spreading" now, if it is??

The more I try to stay positive, the more something keeps coming up, and changing my mind and I keep getting upset over all of this. Im trying so hard to stay strong, but its like I eat, sleep, and breathe this virus. I dont really want to touch my son, and dont want him touching me. I dont want to make him breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even put juice in his sippy cup. I dont want to kiss him or hug him because im afraid that "viral shedding" will get on him or something. I hope im not sounding ignorant but this whole situation is freaking me out, and I just want whats best for my son.

Answer:
bonita7782 - I rather doubt that it is spreading to your legs. What I would say is that our nervous system is very sensitive and all of the little sensations we feel are because of it.

Often itching in our legs is from circulation or even something as simple as dry skin. The weather changes and so does the humidity and our skin reacts. Our skin in the largest organ in our body and it is normal for it to be constantly busy dealing with the environment etc.

Seriously speaking here this is my opinion - you have been married for a while and you have a normal relationship with your husband. Outside of a few precautions what has to change now? Yes you have a diagnosis and you now know why your husband gets the sores he gets but what has really changed except for your knowledge? From here on out you will apply that knowledge practically within your life and go about life much like you did before. There is no reason to over think it or worry yourself into a panic. Now that you have knowledge you may notice things you never considered before but nothing really changed.

Continue being a wife and a mother and continue doing what you did before. Wash your hands and love your family and don't make this bigger than it is. If you happen to have an ob you will deal with it. If you don't that will be wonderful. We are here for you.

You can PM me anytime you like.

Answer:
I just want to add that it is unlikely that your son will get hsv from you. Viral shedding or no viral shedding it is not in your blood it is not all over your body it is probably in your genital area alone. Your son is not in danger from that.

This virus has only as big of a hold on you as you allow it to. Yes it is here to stay and in the years that you didn't know you were fine and you are fine now. Take care of your health. Exercise, get lots of rest, drink lots of water, be calm, enjoy your family and take one day at a time. You will be okay.

Answer:
Bonita7782, I think you are just more paranoid now that you know you have the virus. Don't let this change your everyday living. You probably had it for a very long time but your immune system supressed it. Life is too short to let this virus interfere with it. Just keep on doing what you use to do, its not that bad. This virus is 99% mental & 1% physical especially with a good immune system like yours. As far as your children, you are most likely to pass it on during an outbreak & since you haven't gotten them yet, I wouldn't worry about it.

Answer:
Thanks everyone :) I know how paranoid I am...I must sound kinda crazy. Im just in the "trying to get used to it" mode. I have more questions than I know what to do with. I guess things wont change, and I just have to be more aware now that I know. Caliope, you have helped me a TON with all of my questions so thank you! Im sure I will get paranoid again, and start to think crazy again, so bare with me if I come up with something new..LOL!

Desperate: It definately is more mental than anything!!! Thats my problem! With no outbreaks yet (that I am aware of), or at least no painful out breaks yet (knock on wood!!), I should not be thinking of it all the time. Its the fact I know I have it that is playing with me. So, every little itch, every little pain, I think "Oh my God im having an outbreak!", when in all actuality I may not be. Ughhh....hopefully soon I will make Herpes my second thought of the day!