Question:
Hello,

First of all its great to see these kinds of sites out there, I've read over some posts and think you guys all provide a wonderful service.

I'm a 27 year old male, I've had 4 sexual partners. 2 of them long term relationships, and 2 recent very short relationships.

With the first two partners I was not concerned about STD's, was very open with my partners about my sexual history and thought nothing of it.

Since #3 was a bit of an indiscretion (girl I met at a bar, began as what I thought was a 1 night stand turned into a couple week fling), I began to get concerned. Had protected sex a couple of times, and unprotected oral frequently. Had a condom lose traction (looking for a better term :) ) once. After that was over I got a little worried, mostly cause of guilt and my views on sex. Somewhere during that time I developed a flu-like illness that lasted about 2 weeks. Mild low-grade fever, night sweats, aches etc. Being a mild hypochondriac I was immediately concerned about STD's. I talked to my primary care physician about it and was tested for Ghonnera, Syphilis, HIV, and hep all after about 6 weeks. All clear.

I had some mild burning in the tip of my penis, but kind of dismissed it since I saw nothing visibly wrong. I also noticed two large welts (best description I can give) on my lower back, that have been there for about 2 months now (this is all post testing). Never were open sores as far as I know.

Recently I have gotten kinda sick again, and have the mild burning in the tip of my penis. I've been somewhat involved with a girl for the last couple of weeks and am desperately worried that.

A.) I have HSV2
B.) More importantly, that I could have given it to her.

So I know I need to get tested and thats the only conclusive way to be sure, but I guess I'm kind of concerned that HSV2 testing is NOT part of a general STD screen. If most people are unaware of symptoms (I didn't know this), why is this?

I've had protected sex with the girl I am seeing now, but have unprotected oral both ways. HSV2 is of little concern to me the more I read about it, but I would be very upset if I transmitted it to somebody who might find it concerning.

So yeah, I'll see a doctor and get tested, just wanted to express myself here. Something else that should be noted for those have been recently diagnosed is this.

Before I knew anything about HSV2, I would have never consented to sleep with anybody who was known positive. However, after reading an infinite amount on forums like these, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest if I was interested in a relationship with the person.

Wow that was long winded, thanks for listening guys. I let you know how the test results go.

Answer:
Good question about why HSV is not normally screened for. I've been wondering that myself...

Anyways, best luck on the test.

Answer:
People are probably sick of me saying this, but they don't test for it because there's little if anything they can do about it. It's the silent epidemic - and it's kept silent by the way it is manged within the health service - or more to the point NOT managed.

I have friends who get checked - very responsibly - for STDs and are not aware that they're not being tested for the most common. How mad is that.

Answer:
I guess you don't need telling that you should refrain from any intimate contact until you've been tested.