Question:
Hey, i have some sweet questions...

anyone know how well the viral culture works? and when it works best..i recently got a negative test back from a swab, buuuut I'm pretty sure I have something... Almost absolutely positive, but its hard to accept just because of the negative result... and in stupid canada, we don't have the blood test, so, that sucks...

but i don't think anything else blisters up like a coldsore that i can think of...

and does anyone know the actual transmission rates from someone with hsv2 to someone that doesnt have it? like not when youare having a ob, just from asymptomatic shedding? if its like 90 percent, i think i'm going to hyperventilate, and then immediately proceed to spend the rest of my life alone....

Answer:
What do you mean in Canada you don't have the blood test?

Answer:
i mean they don't do the blood test for hsv in canada. In saskatchewan at least. Every doctor I talk to says it isn't available in Canada, and when I look it up it says "western blot" or whatever its called is not widely available in Canada. Not sure why, but its stupid..So i have to wait until I have another OB to see if I have it? It seems slightly unnecessary and more than slightly inconvenient. I'd rather know for sure one way or the other rather than not being able to tell anyone anything until I have another outbreak.

Answer:
Hey Canadadude-
Sorry to hear you're having some problems. A viral culture is most effective when the swab is taken from a blister that has not yet broken open. (meaning probably in the first couple days of seeing it). Did you experience a breakout of more than one of these blisters (first itching, then blistering, then oozing, scabbing)? If so, sounds like you contracted Herpes.

Are you sure there's no type testing in Canada? I suppose your only option then is to watch for symptoms again. Transmission rates are higher if you did not use a condom or you had skin-to-skin contact with someone who has it. And from what I understand they do not even need to be in OB mode to transmit. I got it from an asymptomatic carrier who didn't even know it.

But... that said... no need to panic. You'll have to deal with whatever it is anyway. I'm finding there are lots of people that have this and live healthy lives. I'm still struggling with this myself, being diagnosed only a couple months ago. I just want you to know, it's devastating at first, but not the end of the world.

Answer:
yeah, i can live a healthy life, i just wish it could be a normal one... oh well, s*** happens i guess... I think i'll just assume I have it and then double check with a swab next time any type of symptoms come up... sure complicates a new relationship no? we haven't had sex yet, and now, i have a funny feeling we won't.. now if only I could think of a good way to word this.. "I think I have herpes, but i'm not sure, and it would be great if you could stick around until I find out, and then continue to stick around if I do have it" very poetic, no?

Answer:
I don't know...I think if you're honest about it most people will at least appreciate that. It would have been nice if we had that choice to make an educated decision to sleep with someone.

Personally I haven't dated since I found out because I'm not emotionally ready. But think, there are so many kinds of people out there. Do you want to be with someone who is so focused on the fact that you have an STD and overlook your whole person?

It's probably the best litmus test of all. I definitely think it will be hard, but a good way to weed out the riff raff.

Don't let this consume you, you may have it but does it have you?
(I should ask myself these questions, bleh)

Good luck!