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Hi Terri,
I discovered I had HSV2 ago 15 years ago. I came to your clinic, was tested, confirmed, enrolled in a study, later started on regular suppression meds. I have been taking Acyclovir 4oomg ii bid since then. I have learned to live with HSV2 and can say it does not affect my life in the negative way I originally feared it would, for which I am grateful. I rarely have outbreaks, and if I do, they are short-lived and minimally disruptive to my life. When I entered my current relationship, I was very open and upfront about my HSV2 status. I shared every detail I knew of regarding my experience with it. As we discussed her options, I made it clear I had no interest in sharing my HSV2 with anyone, and would understand if she chose not to pursue a relationship with me. She chose otherwise and has been my partner of 6+ yrs now. She showed some symptoms of herpes outbreak a couple of years ago. She came in to Westover to be tested. She was quite uncomfortable for several days with lesions, aches, shooting nerve pain in her legs and buttocks, fatigue, and of course the array of psychological symptoms as well. I don’t recall the name of the test, but blood was drawn and the result was negative. She went to her family physician who also assessed and tested her for shingles, as some of her symptoms seemed in line with that. Negative. All the while she has been without any other symptoms since this time. Last week she reported achy muscles, pain and numbness in buttocks, legs, and muscles, and a small lesion on her buttocks. I looked at it. It looked nothing like what I presented with the first time – which were tiny blisters on the shaft of the penis. It appeared as if a small patch of skin had been removed. I encouraged her to get checked. She could not get in right away.
QUESTION: WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND considering this history? My suggestion to her is to figure out what it is, so she can find treatment and move forward in life learning how to manage it. Should she consider coming in for more testing? Does she need to be with active symptoms for this?
Thanks for you ongoing work at your clinic. -
She needs to be seen ASAP. She may have had a negative antibody test, but were there lesions to swab when she came into the clinic? There are definitely appointments open this afternoon with Sheryl Horwitz on the schedule – I just looked. Please have her come in right away to get the tiny blisters swab tested. Also, if it has been long enough since her last antibody test she could have that drawn again.
Terri
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Yes, I understand its difficult to get in at the last minute, no worries. She could repeat the antibody test at any point but it would be most accurate 4 months from the lesion development. If she does come in for a repeat antibody test, we will send her home with a swab kit so she can gather a swab herself at home should another lesion show up and its the weekend or something. How does that sound?
Terri
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I think it likely is past the point of worrying about these particular symptoms, yes. But yes, do pick up a kit so you two will have it at home to gather swabs when symptoms first present themselves. We can also follow up with antibody testing or her as needed.
This is the final post on this subscription. If you have more questions, please feel to renew. Remember that when you wants swabs, I have no idea who you really are so you will need to clarify.Terri
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