Herpes....Questions???

Question

I went to the OB/GYN last week and had the typical tests done for std's. My doc called me today and said at some point I have come in contact with someone who has herpes...
I have had NO outbreaks and NO symptoms.
Why is this??? I dont fully understand!
He told me there was nothing he could do for me at this point unless I have blisters or lesions!
What the heck?
Please someone fill me in!

Answer 1

It's possible you do have herpes and just haven't had an outbreak - yet.

Many people can go months and even years without having any signs or symptoms of the virus, like an outbreak. This can make it difficult for some to determine who they actually got it from.

And, it's true, there is nothing you can do about it now. Once you have the virus you will always have it, there is no cure. The only thing you can do is take the medication when you are having an outbreak (sores and lesions). The outbreaks can always come back though, it's call recurring outbreaks.

You can always get another test done. Tests are not always 100% accurate.

Answer 2

The first thing I have to ask; did your doctor do a blood test? Because to my knowledge; the standard STD tests do not include herpes unless you have an outbreak. Because the test has to be done from a culture of the lesions. And then again, the blood tests are said to not be so accurate. Although, some say if you have the antibodies in your systom, it can be detected. *shrugs* A helpline councelor told me it has to be requested by name, and has to be done within a certain amount of time after being exposed.

Your doctor seems like he was as helpful as mine..heh heh.. I had to wait a week for the results; without any information or support. Talk about stressing. ;) Anyway, I was given a 10 day prescription and told; after I finish that, we have to see what happens. Because I may never have another outbreak again. So, in other words, your doc is telling you he won't give you medication unless you have a full blown outbreak and you are just a carrier at this point; and should take precautions to not pass it to anyone else.

Like you, I never had any noticable symptoms that I had this; until a week ago. Even when I was diagnosed, my lesion, wasn't bad. My doc automatically assumed my partner, or I was sleeping around. When in fact, many people are carriers for years and never even know it. The following are web sites to maybe help you a little more with this. There is also a helpline phone number that may help as well. Good luck. :)

Answer 3

Well your doctor didn't explain things very well. Obviousely. You need to call him back and say that you are confused because you have not had any "illness". He will explain it further. Ask him what tests he did. did he do bloodwork? I am curious..If not, then there is no way for him to even know if you have herpes or not..so that is important. Secondly, if he did bloodwork, did he test for HSV, and what types? 95 percent of population tests positive for HSV I (its the virus that causes fever blisters). BTW, you can get HSV I in your pubic area, just so you know. If you tested positive for both HSV I and HSV II, then you do have "herpes", but that is a misonomer too because herpes encompasses all the herpes virus, not just the one associated most commonly with STD's. Anyway, its possible you could get herpes and not have had an outbreak yet, or its possible you have had an outbreak and it was so minor you didn't realize it was herpes (apparantly a lot of people have it that way and spread it w/out even knowing it). BTW, him saying there is nothign he can do until you get active lesions is B.S. too because if you really do have herpes, he should have either given you a prescription for when you have your first outbreak, or he should have told you you could do a walk in to pick it up in the event. Because the initial outbreak is usually the most painful and most severe, is why. But they are finidng out more and mor ethat what people think of as herpes is not the typical way herpes behaves so...like I said you may have it an not realize it.

Answer 4

2

Answer 5

3

Answer 6

I got diagnosed with herpes virus (type 2) about five years back, when I was still in college and had a dumb one-night stand. I realize lots of people say this, but I swear I had never done that sort of thing before. I just made a huge mistake that one time and all of a sudden I felt like I was going to have to live with the implications for the rest of my life. The worst part was feeling I could never date other men again. After all, who wants to go out with someone who has sores round her private parts? But since a friend shared this movie https://tr.im/tm88I everything changed.

Not only was I able to eradicate all remnants of the herpes virus from my body in less than 3 weeks, but I was also able to begin dating again. I even met the guy of my dreams and I'm so blessed to write that just last week, in front of everyone in a busy restaurant, he got down on one knee and proposed to me! This system provided me the opportunity to be happy and experience true love again. Now I want to help others too by sharing this story.

Answer 7

Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2. The herpes infection is spread by skin to skin contact and can be transmitted during genital, oral or anal sex. Cold sores on the mouth can cause genital infection during oral sex for those who do not already carry the cold sore virus.

The virus can be spread when there is an episode (when you have a sore, blister, ulcer or skin split) or in between episodes. This is called viral shedding. During viral shedding, you may not be aware that the virus is at the surface of the skin and can be passed on.

Symptoms
Many people with genital herpes are not aware that they have the infection because they have no symptoms. Symptoms associated with the first episode of genital herpes may include:

Flu-like symptoms – for example, feeling unwell, headaches, pains in the back and legs.
Small blisters around the genitals – which break open to form shallow, painful sores. These scab over and heal after one to two weeks.
Recurrent episodes
After the initial episode the virus stays in the body and can cause further episodes. Recurrences may be triggered by:
Stress
Menstruation
Sexual activity
General illness.
The first episode is usually the most painful
The first episode of herpes can cause considerable pain and distress. However, recurrences are usually less painful and shorter in duration. Over time, recurrent episodes become less frequent. The recurrences may eventually stop altogether. In particular, infections caused by HSV-1 are unlikely to recur.

Diagnosing herpes infection
If you think you have herpes, your doctor will need to take a swab from an affected area. If the herpes virus is detected from the swab, you have the infection. In certain circumstances there is a blood test available that may assist in the diagnosis of herpes; you should discuss this with your STI clinic or doctor.

Treatment eases symptoms but is not a cure
There are no drugs to rid your body of the herpes virus. Treatment is aimed at easing symptoms and may include:
Oral or topical pain relief.
Antiviral drugs – for example, aciclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir. These can reduce the severity of an attack if taken early enough (preferably within three days of symptoms appearing). If you have frequent outbreaks, you may need to take these drugs continuously.

Answer 8

Herpes goes dormit. You have it but it doesn't always flare up. Like gastritis. You have it but it only flares up when you eat certain foods. It's contagious when the blisters and lesions are present. Don't think you are symptom free. The lesions can strike anytime. Sometimes stress even causes breakouts. You feel a tingle down there and then come the blisters. They take forever to heal, are itchy and sore.

Answer 9

You don't have to experience any symptoms but sometimes when you're stressed or your immune system is compromised you can get a out break the lesions are very painful. you should ask your doctor about valtrex it's a drug you can take to supress the outbreaks remember even though you don't have lesions you can still infect your partner there is no cure for this always protect yourself

Answer 10

It's not acvite right now. When it is, you'll need meds to control it. It will never go away though. But don't get too uptight just yet. Sometimes Dr.'s are wrong. I've seen it happen before. You may want a second opinion just to make sure.