Question:
These are my symptoms:
-chronic irritation/rawness/redness in the genital area
-constant whitish/yellow discharge
-pain with urintation
-pain in buttocks
-tingling

I have done the reasearch, I am all but positive this is herpes (I'm waiting for a bloodtest)

My ? is that I have had these symptoms for a loooooong time, for almost 4 months now, occassionaly they subside for a few days at a time, and sometimes when I have my period, but is it normal for an inital outbreak to last for months on end? or could I have something else on top of the herpes that is wrong? if any one has any helpful thoughts, I would appreciate it.

P.S. why do so few doctors/free clinics offer proper herpes screenings (i.e. bloodtests) especially if it is one of the most common STD's in the country? Will that change in the future-is there anything I can do or anywhere I can write to try and change this so more people don't have to go through this?

P.P.S. is there any hope of a permanent cure being found in our lifetime?

Answer:
It's been 1 month for me now...just when things seem to be getting a little better,an outbreak starts in another spot.I'm just about at wits end.
I thought perhaps my body would fight things off and the virus would retreat back to it's little hibernation spot in the lower spine,but I just don't think that's going to happen. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and go back to the walkin clinic and get a prescription for an antiviral eg:valtrex etc. If that does not work...oh boy...then I'm not sure what I'm going to do.I'd suggest you do the same. I don't know how the hell you lasted 4 months!!!! My thumbs up to you..what a trooper!!!
When I read about how lots of people get such minor ob if any...I just get really depressed. It seems I have such lousy luck...I'm a good person,but it seems that makes absolutley no diffrence. :cry:
Best wishes to you!!!

Answer:
tears for fears- thank you- youa re the first reply I've had. I would love to go get a perscription but here's the thing: I am away at college. Everytime I got to a doctor around here (despite the fact that I should be covered because I go through my school) i get like a $500 bill. Also, the free clinics around here DO NOT offer bloodtests, and since I currently don't exhibit any blisters, I don't know how else they would diagnose me. It seems as though I may have to wait until thanksgiving (I already have an appt with my OBGYN who is wonderful) to a) confirm for sure that this is in fact what i have (though all symptoms indicate yes) and b) be treated. That is why this site is so important to me- it's literally all I have right now. and if this has taught me one thing, there is no such thing as good/person bad person in terms of STD's, there's just victim-it sucks no matter who you are (I used to categorize myself as 'good person'). god be with you and the rest of us as we battle through this!