Waiting for test results and nervous

[Curious1]

Thank you, Terri, for this forum.

Yesterday/Tuesday (9/29), I went to urgent care because of a suspected yeast infection or BV and to see about a small cluster of bumps that I noticed on my inner labia (only one side) that appeared on Sunday (9/27). I thought it strange and wanted to have that checked out before it went away (hence urgent care instead of waiting for my ob/gyn appt on 10/13). A PA conducted an exam (said it sounded like BV) and visually diagnosed the bumps as herpes. She collected a sample to be cultured and ordered blood work with typing. She said that she is 90-95% sure that it is herpes. That freaked me out that she sounded so sure. But what is unsettling is that she sounded confident when I described my symptoms that I was describing BV (I’ve had one other case of BV about 15 years ago), but tests determined it is a yeast infection. So I’m taking Diflucan. As for the bumps, she practically scraped every bit of them away, so they’re pretty much gone now, and I’m just feeling a little soreness at that site.

I didn’t know that herpes was not part of the “full” STD screening until last night. I relied on doctors in the past telling me that all of my STD screening results have always been negative, and I didn’t ensure that I was fully informed – I feel embarrassed at my ignorance. My last full STD screening was in March of this year, and the previous tests were in early 2014. So, if results indicate that I have herpes, I have no idea when I may have come in contact with the virus. I hadn’t noticed any symptoms prior to what just brought me to urgent care.

I tested positive for high-risk HPV in March of this year and had never had an abnormal pap prior to this one. I decided to wait a year and do another pap.

I am a 36 y/o female. I have not had sexual intercourse or sexual contact with anyone since late March of this year, when my partner left for his deployment overseas. We are in a monogamous relationship and began having sex in January of this year, more often unprotected than protected.

If infected, is there a typical time frame within which you would expect to see symptoms? How long can one be infected before becoming symptomatic?

I cried in the exam room because this is overwhelming and I feel afraid. What should I do while I wait for the results? Could it be something other than herpes? I knew very little about herpes until yesterday …

Thank you so much. I found this site last night; knowing that this forum exists and you are available has kept me from being completely overwhelmed.

[Terri Warren]

I’m so sorry that you are having a difficult time and it is likely even harder that you are alone right now in dealing with this situation. Of course your cried in the exam room – most people would.
It is true that most STD screens do not include herpes testing, an unfortunate situation in my opinion.
If the testing is positive for herpes, there is likely no way to know when you acquired this infection. But you know it isn’t new, correct? You haven’t had sex since March so you know it is an infection you’ve had for at least 6 months.
I think it is important that you contact the place that did your swabbing and request that if the test is positive, that it be typed (HSV 1 or HSV 2). The distinction is essential! They might tell you it doesn’t matter but it certainly does. Can you let me know the results when you get them please?

Terri

• This reply was modified 7 years, 5 months ago by Terri Warren.

[Curious1]

Thank you, Terri.

I tested positive both. I’m devastated, but trying to be rational. Trying and barely succeeding

My thought when I heard positive for both was, “Oh, my God.” Now what? My biggest immediate fear is that I infected my partner.

I want to tell him as soon as possible. Because I can’t pinpoint when I may have contracted the virus, I feel helpless. So do I have this right:
1. If he tests negative, then I didn’t get it from him.
2. If he tests positive for both, then either a) I gave it to him if he knew he was negative prior to our relationship or b) there is no way to know who gave it to whom.
3. If he tests positive for either, but not both then what does that mean?

What other scenarios am I missing?

What do I do now, medically speaking? I have a prescription to pick up, but beyond that?

I’m feeling alone. And scared.

[Terri Warren]

I have to go out now but will respond more later. You didn’t test positive for both from a lesion – you might have tested positive for both on an antibody test – can you sort that out?

Terri

[Curious1]

Oh, I’m sorry I wasn’t clear. I also had blood drawn on Tuesday, so that was my understanding of how the results were determined.

Thank you so much.

[Terri Warren]

So do you have the numeric value associated with those positive results? Is the swab test back yet?
If he tests negative you didn’t get it from him
Correct on number 2
If he tests positive for one or the other, then he is not at risk of getting that from you. If he tests positive for HSV 2 but negative for HSV 1, then he will not acquire type 1.

Terri

[Curious1]

Hi Terri,

I just received the results of the swab, and it is positive. Also, the numerical values are:

HSV-1 = 4.40
HSV-2 = 14.10

I’m going to pick up the results today; these were shared via phone.

What does the index value mean – degree of certainty or degree of severity?

And could those numbers change if I tested again after a certain period of time?

I’m researching to try to understand this better but also wanted to ask you.

I am feeling less distressed about this as I am learning more about it. I had a startling revelation, though — well, more like a remembrance: I think I’ve already had an outbreak but at the time had absolutely no idea that may have been a herpes outbreak. My partner and I would have sex frequently, at least twice a day whenever we were together. After being sexually active for approximately 4-6 weeks, my vagina was extremely sore and I developed what appeared to be tears or fissures, and as I think more about it, there were some sores, but it never noticed the appearance of bumps. But where I am now with this current outbreak, the look and experience is very similar, just not as severe as it was that first time. It was painful, along with burning (I don’t remember if itching was a part of that.) I talked with him about it but neither of us knew to be concerned or worried. Although painful and lasting for many days at its worst pain and discomfort, I never sought medical treatment. In retrospect I should have//could have been much more proactive.

Is it possible that was a first outbreak? I’d had frequent sex before in past relationships but had never experienced anything like that before.

[Terri Warren]

So those index values simply mean that you have a well established HSV 2 infection and probably the same for HSV 1. It says nothing about the severity or duration of infection but you know this isn’t new because you haven’t had sex recently. This is not a new infection, no, and it sounds like you have certainly had this in the past. We cannot know if you acquired this from your current partner or from someone in the past. However, the timing for your first symptoms, 4-6 into your new relationship, is consistent with the timing of many new infection in relationship – within the first 3 months.

I don’t know where your partner is deployed but it may not be the best time to talk about this with him, what do you think? Maybe when he gets back would be better?

I hope you are reading on accurate sources. There is a free herpes handbook on this website as a good place to start.
I’m glad you are feeling a little less frazzled now. And you will likely continue to feel even less frazzled over time
You have two more questions on this renewal.

Terri

• This reply was modified 7 years, 5 months ago by Terri Warren.

[Curious1]

Hi Terri,

I started a 10-day course of Valtrex on Sunday, 10/4. I am finally pain free. Now, two weeks after I first noticed the cluster of bumps, by all visible and physical accounts, it looks and feels like this outbreak has run its course.

Is there a way to know when it’s over (when I am not shedding the virus/contagious)?

As I work through my understanding of HSV 1, I still have ?s. Is it possible that I could have acquired HSV 1 before getting HSV 2? I think so, but want to be sure. What is the diff btw genital and oral HSV 1? I’ve never had a cold sore, but is it possible that I could now get them? Given what you know abt me so far, is it possible to know how likely it is that I could give someone HSV 1 by kissing or sharing a glass or utensil?

I’ve read that women have a greater risk of acquiring HSV 2 than do men – that the virus is transmitted more easily from men to women than it is from women to men and that about 1 in 4 women have HSV 2 compared to 1 in 8 men … but how is that disparity possible when HSV 2 is acquired through sexual contact (I’m considering heterosexual contact)? So, me, for example — I am and always have been heterosexual and have had no sexual contact with a woman; therefore, I acquired HSV 2 from a man. And he (assuming 100% heterosexual activity) would have gotten it from a woman. So how are women at greater risk than men? Maybe the logic I am applying is not correct?

My boyfriend has just returned from his deployment, and I will be able to talk to him about this tomorrow face to face. I’m nervous about kissing him if I could put him at risk since I tested positive for HSV 1. That’s partly why I asked about kissing. And I think these ?s make me realize that I am working under the assumption that I acquired HSV 1 and HSV 2 from someone other than my BF, which I realize may not be the case.

As always, thank you!

PS – I read the herpes handbook on this site ~2 weeks ago – time to revisit with a clearer head.

[Terri Warren]

As I work through my understanding of HSV 1, I still have ?s. Is it possible that I could have acquired HSV 1 before getting HSV 2? I think so, but want to be sure. What is the diff btw genital and oral HSV 1? I’ve never had a cold sore, but is it possible that I could now get them? Given what you know abt me so far, is it possible to know how likely it is that I could give someone HSV 1 by kissing or sharing a glass or utensil?

You almost certainly acquired HSV 1 prior to HSV 2 as HSV 2 is protective against HSV 1. If you have no cold sore present, kissing casually vs. deep kissing, is unlikely to result in transmission. I have no concerns about sharing utensils. If you didn’t have cold sores before, having a positive test won’t trigger an outbreak now, no.

There is no way to know when you are experiencing asymptomatic shedding, no.

’ve read that women have a greater risk of acquiring HSV 2 than do men – that the virus is transmitted more easily from men to women than it is from women to men and that about 1 in 4 women have HSV 2 compared to 1 in 8 men … but how is that disparity possible when HSV 2 is acquired through sexual contact (I’m considering heterosexual contact)? So, me, for example — I am and always have been heterosexual and have had no sexual contact with a woman; therefore, I acquired HSV 2 from a man. And he (assuming 100% heterosexual activity) would have gotten it from a woman. So how are women at greater risk than men? Maybe the logic I am applying is not correct?

Your logic is not correct. Women are receptive with intercourse and therefore are more vulnerable to getting herpes. Men and women do not have sex just one on one – that’s where your logic falters.

I don’t think you should worry about kissing him. How long had you been kissing him before you got this news? Lots I would expect!
I hope today goes very well!

Terri

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