Herpes Type 2 Inquiry About Symptoms

[Health Inquirer]

Dear Terri,

I found out through a blood test in Oct 2014 that I have herpes type 2. (igg antibody test have to be greater than 1.1 and I was an 8). I was negative for type 1. I have not been sexually active at all since January 2013. I am a female.

I do not have outbreaks, I have never had an outbreak.

My questions are:
1) Is it possible the only symptom I may have is tingling in the genital region?
2) If it is possible, how frequently every month would you expect I would experience this tingling (For example: 3 of 30 day, 5 of 30 days, and so on)?

Thank you for your time and efforts. I deeply appreciate it.

[Terri Warren]

That is possible but a tricky one because once someone is told that they have HSV 2, they often feel a lot of tingling just because they become so aware of their genitals. Remember that genital herpes can present with an outbreak anywhere in the area covered by a pair of boxer shorts so be on the lookout in that entire area. Your 8.0 index value is pretty strong so I would not think confirmation is necessary. It is so hard to say how often anyone might experience tingling because it is very subjective. You will shed virus, on average, about 14 days out of 100, so that may be a more relevant and practical number for you to know.

Terri.

[Health Inquirer]

Dear Terri,

Thank you for your reply.

I am having a difficult time relaxing through herpes 2 when it comes to my work. I have written to you before. I had asked if it was possible that my primary outbreak be around my mouth and if I can shed from there. You said it is possible, but explained it is rare.

My difficulty lies in the fact that I do massage. Many people have cuts, abrasions on skin, broken acne on backs. I try very hard to avoid these, but sometimes it is impossible especially with acne outbreaks or invisible abrasions from shaving for example. I have noticed recently that I accidentally bump my hand on my mouth sometimes/much more than I had previously realized. Then I have to continue massaging where I am doing all this friction and kneading into their skin. I also massage their hands and then if they use the bathroom right after, that seems to pose a risk too. Since I don’t have outbreaks, I have no idea where I am contagious from or when. So, I guess although the risk is small, I can transfer it this way. It is still a risk and I feel I have to quit massage. Part of me feels like there is no risk from some of the things you have shared with me in a previous post and the other part of me feels there is a small risk. In which case, even if there is a small risk, I shouldn’t be doing this anymore just because of how much physical (it is non sexual) contact I have with my clients.

I don’t know if there is anything new you can share with me, but I thought I’d share this with you and just see what your professional expertise says on this matter.

As always, thank you very much for your time and efforts. I deeply appreciate you and this service.

[Terri Warren]

I know many, many massage therapist who do their work very well and very safely who have genital herpes. Even if your primary outbreak was oral, HSV 2 orally sheds very infrequently so even if you happened to brush your arm or hand up against your mouth, the odds that you would pick up virus and transmit it to a client is very very close to zero risk. I think it would be a huge mistake to quit your profession over having HSV 2, but your call of course.

Terri

[Health Inquirer]

Dear Terri,

Thank you very much for your reply and advice. I will be with this for a little while and if I want to discuss this with you further, I will purchase more questions.

Again, my deepest gratitude to you for all of your time and efforts.
I wish you all the best.

[Terri Warren]

You’re welcome, I wish you the best too!

Terri

[Author]

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