New infection found out yesterday and I have questions. Lots of questions!

Hi all. I just found out about my infection yesterday. Last June I tested positive for HPV and was relieved it wasn't Herpes...and here we are today. I've browsed the site for hours and learned a lot, but still have questions about this virus!

I'm blessed with my faithful partner of three years who says we can handle anything together. We are in our 50's and don't know who was the carrier, but that doesn't matter now. My tests should be in soon, and he was making an appointment today.

We had sex one week ago Sunday, and I should have used some lube, as it left me with small cuts on my body. (Darn menopause!) I could tell right away that it hurt and went online to see what to do to help it heal. Of course I ended up creating a bigger mess with an additional BV infection. After it grew into that big mess, I finally got into the doctor and have been using Valacyclovir 1 gm tabs and Metronidazole 500gm tabs for the BV since yesterday. It does feel better. I also have been doing baths with epsom and flushing with water after urination.

I had nausea, a bad fever and chills episode last night but beyond the pain and the fatigue today, I do feel better. Part is because I realize how lucky I am to have the partner I do, and part is because of reading this website. Someone here said that "it's like a cold sore in on your privates", and that made me feel a lot more relaxed about this. It's not cancer, it's just an inconvenience.

I have had a back injury last September that included some nerve pain down my left leg. Then my right leg began having it also. My neck was so stiff recently that I could barely turn my head to the side and was moving my whole body to do so. I just attributed this to my ongoing issues that I've had chiropractic for since I was in my 30's. Now I wonder if this was part of the virus? I also have floaters that seem to be worsening, and as I do have an eye specialist for them with an appointment this week, I will ask him about symptoms of that ocular issue someone mentioned. My aunt and mother both had "eye strokes" that took out one eye as they aged.

I found it interesting that food triggers can cause more issues. I did have chocolate, peanut butter and peanuts this weekend when the pain got worse! Are there any others that are common? I can see I will need to do a food diary to find my triggers. I eat pretty healthy, as I've been on Weight Watchers all my life, but my boyfriend is very heavy. Salads, chicken and fruits are staples for me. I am disheartened to see that alcohol is one trigger also, as we love visiting the craft breweries around our beautiful area.

I wonder about the meds...if we both have the same strain, do I need to take the meds all the time? I'm assuming he's also infected, of course, and if he's not, or if it's different, I would most certainly do so to protect him! But if we both have the same virus, are the meds necessary full time? I do understand the the first year they might be, just to help me deal with the virus. But later?

And that brings up the questioning condom use. Must we use them now? (Again, assuming we both are infected.) If we both have the same strain, is it likely to make it worse if we don't? (Right now I can tell sex won't be happening for quite some time, as I feel like I have craters! Ouch! But later on?). Of course I would insist if he's not infected (or we part ways) but just wondering about our future sex life.

Anyway, I'm blessed to have found your group, for it answered a LOT more questions than the PA did yesterday. I'm hopeful to hear about the results soon and looking ahead to figure out how to change our habits to have a healthy sex life. We enjoy ourselves way too much to want to retire from it!

Hello @K123,

Just turned 50 myself and this year makes it 30 since I got H.

As I usually do I am posting a link to WCSDancer2010's blog http://supporttruthanddialog.com/. It is an excellent source of information. If you haven't checked it out yet, its worth some of your time to do so. I think you will be able to find more answers there.

As far as food triggers go, the ones you mentioned are common but don't necessarily apply for everyone. I've never had any foods that triggered outbreaks for me. Stress, mainly physical stress has been my main trigger. Luckily, 9 years ago I was able to transfer from a very physically demanding job to one that isn't. My outbreaks have been very few and far between ever since.

As far as meds go, it comes down to personal choice. If you are having frequent outbreaks it might be good to take them for a while. If your infection is recent it may help your immune system to get up to speed. If your partner is negative you can take the meds to help cut down on the asymptomatic shedding. If he is positive with the same strain then the meds are not so important. You cant give each other more of the virus.

If you are both positive condoms don't matter. From what you said earlier birth control is no longer an issue, and at this point that's the only reason they would be needed anyways. You'll want to abstain from sex during an outbreak. Herpes and friction do not make good bedfellows. In WCSDancer2010's blog there is some info on what you can do during these periods.

Hope this helps...

Thanks for the info! I found the other site to have lots more great info. I am looking forward to hearing our results so we can begin to move forward in our lives. One day at a time...

Holy cow. Doctors office just called and all is negative on IGG and all other std panels. When I asked if typing could be done by a swab, the nurse was acting like it was a surprise to be asked! I told her I knew it was a new case, as I had gone through the fever on the night I was at the drs office. She actually asked if I wanted a typing for the flu?!! I'm so mad I could spit. I obviously have had an outbreak, no swabbing was done, and I didn't know any better to ask at the time. How can a physicians office (ob/gyn) be so clueless? Now what do I do?!

Unfortunately many medical professionals are totally inept when it comes to herpes. It may be time to find a new doctor. As far as the IgG goes, if this is a new infection of less then four months it will most likely be negative. Retest after the four months has passed and see how it turns out then. If you have another outbreak in that time,get in and have it swabbed asap. A swab can type it. The IgG can type it to, except it can't tell you the location. But, after the outbreak you already know that.

Oh my god. My PA called and they will see me tomorrow...she asked if I had any on my behind and BOOM out of nowhere tonight an hour later (after I told her no) there they are. I'm dealing with a recalcitrant 15 yo boy who is in special ed and acting stupid, along with this all week too. I'm trying to be calm and peaceful and relaxed about this all but today has just sucked eggs so badly.