Question:
I just got back from the walk in clinic. My dr. dismissed me 2 weeks ago because, although I had all the symptoms of GH, I didnt have any open, oozing sores to swab. She refused to give me anything for it or test anything. SO I have tried to see the public health nurse because the STD healthline nurse said that ABSOLUTELY I could very well have GH without sores and she had seen it many times. She said they swab anything they can see so she said just phone the health unit, theyll do all the STD testing, swabs etc. But the public health nurse either doesnt return my calls or when she does I phone her back and shes not in. Well, the discomfort and itching and soreness and swelling are keeping me up at night now and its been weeks. I couldnt take much more(I have to work!) so I saw another doctor tonight who at least asked me some pertinent questions, checked my urine and examined me. ONCE AGAIN he said he was sure it was GH but I dont have any open sores. I told him I understood that it wasnt necesary to have open sores to have GH. His response...NO you HAVE to have cold sores on your genitals. SO he gave me a prescription for cortisone cream and said he could see what a mess it was and wasnt sure exactly what it was but it couldnt be herpes. Im about done...what now. ms.

Answer:
No, you don't have to have sores to have GH. As for what you should do, keep calling until you find a health provider who is willing to give you a blood test for herpes. I know it's hard in Canada though... can you hop the border to the States? Alternatively, I know there is a place in Canada that does Western blot testing for herpes (but it costs a lot, so you should only do it 3 months after your suspected exposure).

Answer:
try your hardest to find somewhere willing to give you a type specific herpes blood test. Ive NEVER had a sore and have had this since aug. 05..........always have a rash that looks similar to razor burn but not as pronounced and invisible cut like feelings in another area. First doc. looked at my "rash" and said "doesnt look like herpes, couldnt' be.....I wont even test you for it because theres no way its herpes.....herpes doesnt present like that" well guess what .....got a blood test from my smarter nurse practitioner and viola! herpes type 2...lucky me! :) but Id rather have known for sure then alwasy wondered and been turned away with false hope and info. I hope you find somewhere to get a test and that everything works out for you. Sorry you are having such a hard time......I know how you feel .....because Ive had a horrible rash since contracting this......an outbreak that never went away ever and since it is so atypical no doctor believes it is the herpes virus causing this and it will not go away.........its the same place i got the rash upon my initial contraction of the virus , its never went away, and still I have doctors telling me "it cant be herpes" Make me sooooooo mad at the stupidity and miseducation in the medical field when it comes to this. I have finally found a doctor who is helping me, believes it is directly because of the virus, and is trying to figure out whats going on with my immune system and the virus.....so there is some hope left :) good luck to you....i hope you find help soon

Answer:
Thanks for the input, guys. I cant believe that these doctors are telling me (and others) in no uncertain terms that you CANNOT have herpes without open sores when I can so easily find people who are proof that not only are they wrong but apparently its not that uncommon!!! I am going to persist with trying to get the testing. I am concerned that I might have problems accessing the right blood tests. Anyone aware of how it works in Canada.
Box of Rain, do you mean to say that since Aug. 05 you have had this rash!!! This doc last night looked at my rash and said WOW, youve had this for 2 weeks! I said no try 7 weeks. How is your doctor treating your ongoing symptoms. Does your rash itch at times. Any info you have would be so appreciated. He gave me cream but it burns and makes it feel kind of swollen so Im not banking on it. Thanks again. ms.