Question:
I was recently diagnosed with having HSV-2 with a blood test. I've never had an outbreak and my last sexual contact (whom i assume gave it to me) was 7 months ago.

Do I really have it?

I've heard that a diagnosis with a blood test is very inconclusive, but my doctor says they're pretty true. I'm just so confused and I'd like to know if anyone knows anything about a blood test result?

Also...I've heard that the first outbreak is the most severe, and I've also read that sometimes the first outbreak can be mistaken for a yeast infection. Anyone know anything about that?

Answer:
I am no expert on this at all, but I have heard that a certain type of test, igM, is unreliable. It would be worth your while to call your Dr.'s office and find out what kind of test you had, and what the "numbers" were. People often mistake herpes symptoms for those of a yeast infection, due to the itching.

Answer:
I have never had typical outbreaks since being diagnosed with this a year and a half ago and like I said in my other post that my boyfriend was carrying this for over 3 years, never knew, and then 3 years into our relationship i got it from him when he had NO VISIBLE symptoms and no clue he could even possibly have it. I have never had a sore or blister or anything typically that people associate as being herpes. I get a rash on the top area of my pubic hair region and also painful feelings like there are paper cuts around my anus, but there is nothing ever visible to the eye.. (but these are outbreaks for me).....and many more people get outbreaks that are similar to mine, or just redness, or itching, etc. and thats why its so hard to know if you have this if you have never been educated on how and what this really can look like and what is a sign of it.

About the yeast infection.....YES it is very commonly thought to be a yeast infection... I thought I had a horrible yeast infection, went to the doc. expecting to get some cream for that, but to my horrifying surprise...she said it "could" be herpes because often times many women do not get any sores or blisters with herpes and that they get symptoms and outbreaks similar to yeast infections. It is especially common for the first outbreak to exhibit this way in certain people. Also, that is why some people think they have had a yeast infection, it went away, never got another one....and they never know the whole time that they have herpes..

Also, I believe blood tests are accurate...type specific ones. There is some insane amount of people who have this and do not know because they have no visible symptoms ever and carry the virus, and may not have had any visible outbreaks that they can remember ever....that is why blood tests are important and should be mandatory when it comes to std testing for "everything" but unfortunately that is not the case.

I know it is very appealing to think the test is wrong, but please know it is more common than you think to have no symptoms and still be carrying it in your body, and still contagious some of the time due to asymptomatic shedding. I would trust the blood test and just to be sure...get tested somewhere else, or get retested....im pretty sure it will stil be positive. Ask your doctor the percentage of antibodies they found and for what type too just to be sure the results are accurate.

Answer:
boxofrain, I know you're right it's just hard to hear sometimes. I guess it was nice hoping that maybe my blood test was wrong, but deep down I still know I probably have it. My doctor recommended getting retested in May (i was diagnosed end of January) because she said that's enough time in between to give an accurate retest reading. I'm still going to get retested then if I still haven't had an outbreak, just so I stop thinking there's a chance i might not have it. you know?

I have another question though, if your outbreaks aren't as severe as other ones, do you take medication for it? Because I had asked my doctor if I should get on Valtrex or something in case I do have an outbreak, but she said that since I want to get a retest, I shouldn't because it will alter my counts and since I'm not having outbreaks there's no need to be on it.

I guess I'm just wondering if you take medication to help lower the risk of transmission or if you choose not to take it at all.

Answer:
For many folks, suppressive therapy with Valtrex or Acyclovir is very helpful. I took my first round of Valtrex a few weeks ago although I have had the virus for many years. When I was on it, I felt as if I was continually on the verge of an outbreak, with all the tingling and acheing that goes along with it. Now that I am off of Valtrex, I am fine. I won't take it again. I don't think it works the same for everybody, you know? If you don't get a lot of outbreaks, I can't see a reason to take anti-virals. Take care....:D

Answer:
Daisy, I want to clarify about my outbreaks....I get the rash like I posted above and the pain and cut like feelings around the anus but the cuts are extremely painful almost to the point where I cant let water touch them in the shower without intense pain and the rash is usually very itchy and both suck so bad. They last for very long times and feel like the rash does go away after like 2 weeks but the cuts never seem to go away....or it feels like I am fine there one day no pain and dont feel anything) and then the next day it hurts again there....feelsl like cuts. However, I still choose not to take antivirals. I dont recommend them, especially if you have not experienced symptoms ever yet....and yes the meds will alter the antibody counts. I know some people feel they work but they do not work for everyone....I tried Valtrex at the beginning with my first actual breakout but it did not seem to help much and made me feel very sick.....chalky taste in mouth, dizzy out of my head feeling, extreme nausea resulting in vomiting some days and it was the worst experience of my life....so since then I would rather live with the severity of my outbreaks than take antivirals. Lately I have considered trying another type but am still hesitant as the first experience was horrible. Antivirals are a class of drugs that are extrememly powerful and potent. I feel we do not know enough about the long term use of certain types of them and it makes me worried. I also prefer to not take synthetic drugs if possible in other areas of my life and my body is very sensitive to antivirals as I found out. I also dont think people understand that the antiviral stops SOME cell replication, not all. Because it stops DNA replication of the virus, some people dont realize that it also stops some of ALL DNA replication,....not just the cells specific to the virus so that makes me wonder how good it really is for the body in the long run ya know? Also, some claim to reduce transmission or shedding but nothing is for certain and there is always a high risk of passing it on with or without meds. so you have to tell people anyway, be honest, let them risk it if they choose to and be careful. I feel many people like to take it and feel like they are reducing the spread by taking these drugs that make these claims but it seems more like it gives a false sense of piece of mind for many that only hear "lessens transmission" and not "MAY lessen transmission; and still contagious at all times....no guarantess....and may not work for everyone." Its a gamble....but for some, transmission reduction aside, it seems to help lessen the severity of outbreaks and lessen frequency.....so its an individual decision and preference that does help some people.

I highly do not recommend it yet for you in your situation....after you have an outbreak if you are still interested in trying it then by all means try it. FOR now I would follow your docs advice and NOT take it yet as it could interfere with your antibody counts and give a confusing reading at the next test.

for now be happy you have no outbreaks....they affect people so much mentally, not just phsyically. I would abstain from sex unless your partner is aware of what you have been diagnosed with. Remember, you can still be asymptomatic sometimes and pass the virus on without visible symptoms a percentage of the time so use precautions. Good Luck!

Answer:
Thank you very much boxofrain! I'm still so shocked and happy I guess that I haven't had an outbreak. I'm so scared of having one because I'm not planning on telling my family and majority of my friends and it sounds like something that would be very hard to hide since it's so painful.