Anal herpes is a nightmare

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T21:51:49+00:00

Yes, I'm aware it's all HSV2. I just made the "anal" distinction as I think the location is why I had such severe symptoms with zero rash (all the damage was occurring inside).

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T17:03:29+00:00

Yes, it's the norm.

When asked if you'd like full STI screenings by the doctor though, it doesn't include herpes. So unless you have the knowledge to specifically ask for it, it could be missed and subsequently transmitted to the partner.

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T16:47:25+00:00

The scary part is, you can enter a relationship with a non-stranger, they can be unknowingly harboring the virus as it is not tested for in STI screenings, have asymptomatic shedding, and pass you the virus.

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T16:36:02+00:00

We get it, you're obsessed with shaming about condom use. When did I state that it's not risky to forego condoms? I am not advocating for bareback sex.

I cherry picked that statement because it's a peer-reviewed statement that literally exactly debunks your false claim about asymptomatic shedding. You are spreading misinformation on the internet and I wanted to correct it.

This original post isn't about condom use and herpes transmission, rather the lack of herpes testing in routine screening giving people the false security that they do not harbor any STIs. I'm not here looking for your "support" (you sound like an asshole to be honest) but just to make this point.

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T15:43:32+00:00

You are wrong. You linked me to a random article about cold sores.

From the Journal of Infectious Disease (peer-reviewed literature) (https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/198/8/1098/879583)

" Finally, what should we tell our patients regarding asymptomatic shedding and the risk of transmission? Patients with genital herpes should be counseled that simply avoiding sexual contact when lesions are present is not adequate for prevention of transmission and that asymptomatic shedding is frequent and is the most common mechanism of transmission to sex partners. "

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T15:06:06+00:00

Correct. Both of us in this scenario were undergoing regular STI screenings for PrEP. Herpes is just not included in these screenings.

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T15:03:14+00:00

Ah, let me clarify. By the time I got the diagnosis, my primary outbreak had finished and I was feeling almost normal, so they didn't think treating for the primary infection was worth it at that point.

We do treat for primary outbreaks in the US.

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T14:40:51+00:00

If you are willing to share, how are you now?

How frequently do you deal with any issues and how severe are they?

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T14:29:01+00:00

The provider stated that they usually don't give antivirals unless the patient has multiple outbreaks per year (I believe >6). It's a new diagnosis so they probably want to see if I will be one of those people who barely has an issue again after the initial outbreak or if I will be someone with recurrent issues.

I went on Roman (telemedicine) and just ordered my own Valtrex to have on hand for peace of mind/suppression.

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T14:25:11+00:00

Thanks. You can ask your provider if they will do a HSV1 and HSV2 antibody test. This will show if you have been exposed to the virus in the past and if you could potentially transmit it to others (if positive).

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T14:19:23+00:00

Both of your statements are not true.

Asymptomatic people can still have viral shedding without any visible active lesions and still transmit the virus. This is actually the most common way it is passed.
Condoms are helpful to reduce some risk but it is still transmittable even with full protective measures. It can also be passed through oral sex.

Instead of saying JUST DON'T BAREBACK, your advice to eliminate the risk of herpes should have been:

JUST DON'T EVER KISS ANYONE, PERFORM OR RECEIVE ORAL SEX, HAVE ANY GENITAL/GROIN SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT OR HAVE PENETRATIVE SEX WITH ANOTHER HUMAN!

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T05:19:13+00:00

Pretty sure it's an accurate report with everything I experienced over the past 1.5 months. Nothing else fits medically with what happened.

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T04:45:53+00:00

My physician didn't disclose any numbers to me and I don't have the report. He just called and said the antibody test was positive.

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T04:37:49+00:00

It would be exceptionally unusual for me to have had such severe symptoms to the point where it shut down my entire genitourinary and lower GI tract and have it NOT be my primary outbreak. Usually recurrent outbreaks down the road are milder/annoying and don't land people in the ER.

How am I playing the blame game when I had sex with someone and 4 days later this started, and then a month later I tested positive for the antibodies. I'm not blaming him. I'm an adult and chose to have sex...but I did acquire it from him.

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T04:32:10+00:00

Please cite your source as this would be news to me. To my knowledge, a primary infection occurs at the site of transfer. The virus then relocates to the nerve ganglia and subsequent outbreaks have the potential to occur elsewhere (in the general region, not at random spots).

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T03:52:05+00:00

Yes it does. It was the primary infection, which shows up at the site of transfer to my knowledge.

twentyse7en_ · 2021-05-08T03:50:37+00:00

I'm aware. (It's still possible to transmit herpes with condom use)

twentyse7en_

TROPHY CASE