Question:
about three weeks ago I engaged in protected oral and vaginal sex with a woman whose sexual history I dont know. I was apathethic and not totally sober at the time of the incident but reflection on it has made me realize all I have to lose and put in perspective my previously seemingly insurmountable problems. I am afraid I may have contracted herpes. As I understand it Herpes once contracted is usually in a latent stage in which it can't be transmitted. However of course there is also asmyptomatic shedding which is how 70% of cases are transmitted. I'm going to get tested in the next two days and again in three week intervals until six months. I think the odds are with me but I feel terrible shame and guilt. I have only told one person and she has been helpful but I really felt the need to have futher interaction. If anyone has anything to add I would really appreciate it. Thanks for your time and energy.

Answer:
I think you are being a bit paranoid at this point. It is my understanding (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong), that the only way to test is either A) looking for antibodies in the blood, or B) taking a culture from a sore at outbreak.

A) It takes 2 or more months for antibodies to show up in the blood from initial exposure.

B) Obviously not possible to take a culture from a sore if you aren't having an outbreak.

Why do you feel you have it? Have you learned that your partner was possitive? Are you having signs of an outbreak?

Colleen

Answer:
colleen i think i contracted what i have a week from today
and i went thru all the symptoms since the day after i thought i had contracted it and now the red dot that i noticed is starting to puff out
but my symptoms were muscles sore pelvis hurts tingling
and thats about it
but i havent been diagnosed with it yet
but can someone tell me when is the most painful part of an outbreak

Answer:
but can someone tell me when is the most painful part of an outbreak Outbreaks are different for everyone. Some people blister, some get multiple sores, some have flu-like symptoms, some just have localized itching/burning etc. My outbreaks always consist of a single sore that looks more like a small tear in my skin than anything else and the only time it hurts is if I accidentally wipe across it with tissue after using the bathroom.

The first outbreak is usually the worst one you will have because your body has no defenses yet, and then when you add in the emotional stress we inflict on ourselves that certainly doesn't help matters. I'm not sure that I can tell you what will be the most painful part though. If I had to venture a guess I would say it will be if the sore actually bursts open.

Answer:
thx but i dont really want to flood this mans furum with my problems so im gonna type back in mine

Answer:
thank you for the support everyone. I've also heard that because Herpes infects your nerve endings (in your lower spine for hsv-2) in rare cases it can be fatal is there any truth to this?