So...uhh, yeah.

[TheEschaton]

I just had a girlfriend call me and tell me she tested positive for herpes...


...we almost always used a condom, and she was never visibly presenting symptoms while I was with her (otherwise, I wouldn't of had sex with her...).

However, according to something I read on the CDC website, a) women can have sores inside the vagina, b) herpes can spread without symptoms present (though it says only 1 in 6 actively shed virus without the sores present), and c) woman-to-man transmission is more difficult.

I've never presented any symptoms since I've been with her, and the website says it can be hard to test for the virus if I'm not actively breaking out in sores. Can I still go for a test? Will it be reliable in any way?

Go figure, the sexual health worker may have herpes....life is ironic...
-TheE-

[CrystalTears]

What do you mean "can" you go? More like you "should" go and get tested. Better to be safe than sorry.

[Daniel]

Well, unless you're exhibiting symptons its almost impossible to test for herpes.

but, I won't worry about it too much. Something like 1 in 5 have in, and of those the vast majority don't even know it. it's not the end of the world. Warts on the other hand...

[TheEschaton]

That's what I'm asking...I've never exhibited symptoms, and currently am not exhibiting symptoms - should I go get tested if it's almost impossible?

-TheE-

[Daniel]

You can go in and take a blood test, but theres no guarantees that it will be conclusive. The only way is to test a herpes lesion for the virus.

Unfortunately, a lesion can be about anything. It's not just the big ass pus filled sores you see in the videoes. It can be a little ingrow hair or a pimple type thing.

[DeV]

Well, unless you're exhibiting symptons its almost impossible to test for herpes.

but, I won't worry about it too much. Something like 1 in 5 have in, and of those the vast majority don't even know it. it's not the end of the world. Warts on the other hand...What Daniel said pretty much sums it up.

Getting tested while showing no signs and having no sores would make the results somewhat inconclusive. The blood test would only show if you have herpes antibodies and most probably do anyway(someone working in the medical field could confirm this I'm sure).

Having a culture done on an actual herpe sore would be the most accurate test.

[TheEschaton]

How can you have the herpes antibody if, at some point, the herpes virus wasn't in your body? And if it was in your body, it's still there, isn't it? There's no cure. :P

Unless it's a false positive, and you don't really have the antibody. ;)

[Daniel]

Because there are several kinds of herpes. The genital kind being the most feared, but almost everyone comes into contact with Herpes at some point in their life.

You ever have a cold sore? Guess what, you got herpes.

[Back]

TMI!

[Atlanteax]

Keep your equipment in your pants Dude.

[Alfster]

Having a culture done on an actual herpe sore would be the most accurate test.

I bet it'd come up positive for herpes!

[DeV]

Ok so I worded that sorta wrong. On a sore you *think* may be herpes, is more like it.

Alf... having my best interests at heart. :)~

[Alfster]

always! :)

[Stanley Burrell]

Rigorous scientific testing using teh possible herpz as a control on many bukkake women specimens?

That, and check to see if your scrotum decides to spontaneously combust :-\

[Sean]

Don't lie man you got it something from some bush bitch in africa and brought it back stateside with you!

Seriously though man hope everything comes out negative for you.

[ElanthianSiren]

That's what I'm asking...I've never exhibited symptoms, and currently am not exhibiting symptoms - should I go get tested if it's almost impossible?

-TheE-

To be tested, you need to have two tests done:

1. tests to see if yuo have the antibodies to the herpes virus.

If you do, they will likely draw again to see:
2. if you have herpes 1 or 2 or even 3 (shingles).

Herpes 2 is what we generally think of as genital herpes, though both can present themselves on the genitalia. Herpes symplex 1 is generally associated with mouth and lip lesions.

Good luck. Hope you're clean :) You should get tested regularly anyway.

-M

[Ignot]

Dont play, get a test and talk to a doctor...unless there is a docotr on these boards??

[The Goddess Pele]

E,

Ask for the Herpes Select test.....simple blood draw

HSV II IGG and IGM.....

IGG will show present infection
IGM will show past (as in built up antibodies)


The test will take up to 2 weeks to come back

(for the record, not personal knowledge, purely professional ;) )

[Sean of the Thread]

Might come in handy (http://www.stdfriends.com/)

[Ilvane]

LOL, that's awful, Sean.

Angela

[Eoghain]

if you've shown no signs for herpes, then I wouldn't worry about it. There's nothing you can do about it. Once you do, it's a whole new ballgame. Same thing goes for genital warts. Also, that statistic up there is mixed up. roughly 3 out of 4 adults have HPV (human papiloma virus), which is the genital warts virus. Luckily, most people, especially men, are asymptomatic and never show signs of it. And most people who do have an outbreak only have it recur for about a year or so (depending on the strain), and then it never reappears (unless something weakens the immune system).

Herpes is a virus just like HIV and HPV, and thus there is no cure. But most people are exposed to herpes in a number of ways (chicken pox, cold sores) and develop certain herpes antibodies. Genital herpes and Oral herpes are two strains, which can appear on either the face/mouth or the genitals (either strain). If you get genital herpes on your mouth, you're likely to have one outbreak of what seems to be oral herpes, and then it usually doesn't occur again, because while the herpes virus is there, it's not its ideal environment, and so outbreaks are rare if they occur at all. Same goes vice versa for getting oral herpes on the genitals.

If you've contracted genital herpes, you'll know.

Here's what I would think about, from one sexual health conselor to another:

a) Women can have sores in the vagina, but you always used a condom. Don't worry too much
b) Where did she have an outbreak? In the Vagina? The labia? the gental area? on the skin? Where would that area have come into contact with you? Where on your skin? Have you noticed any unusual irritation or discoloration, itching, or dryness that might occur just before a break out?

Have her get on Valtrex.

How long have you been together? If you do stay with her, you'll always run the risk of contracting it, because it can always be transmitted. Youahve to be very careful in the future with her.

Good luck.