<p>I decided I’d reach out to the parents on this site…I haven’t told my own parents yet (nor am I sure I’m ever going to) but I was just diagnosed with genital herpes. I don’t even know why I’m making this thread…I guess to seek some support, and I’m curious as to whether or not anyone is/knows someone who is going through a similar situation. I would’ve thought I’d be the last person to get an STD–I’m hygienic, from a mid/upper class family, studying engineering at a top school, have morals and have only slept with one guy (my current boyfriend). I’d appreciate any advice/support anyone can give me…I don’t really know what to think or how to react right now.</p>
<p>I don’t know about anybody else, but when I get surprising and unpleasant news from a doctor, I find it hard to process the information right away.</p>
<p>And that means that I don’t learn or remember a lot of the information that I got at the doctor’s office.</p>
<p>If you react to bad medical news the way I do, you may want to do two things:</p>
<p>(1) Ask yourself whether you understand exactly what you’re supposed to be doing right now, in terms of taking medicine, protecting your boyfriend (if he doesn’t also have it), etc. If you’re not sure, make another appointment. It’s OK to say that you were so startled the first time that you’re not sure that you understood all the instructions.</p>
<p>You don’t truly need to understand all the long-term aspects of herpes right now, but you do need to understand what you’re supposed to do immediately.</p>
<p>(2) When you feel ready, do a little research to learn about genital herpes. Where I always start when I want to learn about something medical is MedlinePlus, a site from the federal government that has lots of links to good sources and no links to garbage. If you feel ready to start hunting for information, you could start here: [Genital</a> Herpes: MedlinePlus](<a href=“http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/genitalherpes.html]Genital”>Genital Herpes | Herpes Symptoms | Herpes Simplex | MedlinePlus)</p>
<p>I’m sorry you’re going through this. It must be upsetting. I have heard that this is one of the most common STD. I wish I had more information for you. Did the person who diagnosed you give you a way to treat it and/or suggestions to avoid it? I think your boyfriend might not know he has it.</p>
<p>This is what I would do if i were in your position. First, I’d get tested again, preferably by a different method, to confirm the first result. Second, if the result is confirmed, I’d have a conversation with my partner to get him tested as well. You will have an unpleasant and uneasy task of talking to your BF about this. Most likely, he is the source of your infection. The main point of this conversation should be about warning him and getting him to get tested as well, since he can be spreading the virus unknowingly to others. What this conversation should NOT turn into is finger pointing and and witch hunt. I’m not saying that he is unfaithful, but… If he is a caring person, knowing that he is a carrier of an uncurable infection might make him think twice about casual sex “on the side”.</p>
<p>Third, I would try to educate myself as much as possible. CDC, Webmd and Mayo Clinic have some good medical information. </p>
<p>[CDC</a> - Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) - Genital Herpes Fact Sheet](<a href=“http://m.cdc.gov/en/HealthSafetyTopics/DiseasesConditions/STDs/herpesFS]CDC”>http://m.cdc.gov/en/HealthSafetyTopics/DiseasesConditions/STDs/herpesFS)</p>
<p>There are three major drugs commonly used to treat genital herpes symptoms: acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex). These are all taken in pill form. Severe cases may be treated with the intravenous (IV) drug acyclovir.</p>
<p>I was a virgin before my current boyfriend, so I am 100% sure he has it and gave it to me…</p>
<p>I’m not actually concerned about having the HPV virus…just the social stigma that comes along with having it.</p>
<p>My wife is in healthcare and she is seeing a ton of newly diagnosed teens - you will not be alone. There are some good online support groups (poz groups) for tips and info for dealing with it, including dating and informing potential partners. </p>
<p>I’m sorry you’re going through this. Get on the meds if you have recurring issues.</p>
<p>You should be concerned about the virus and get educated about it, especially if you plan on having children at some point in the future. Sorry you have to deal with this…</p>
<p>^ I am not too concerned about the physical effects of the virus. So what if I have some painful sores every so often? I am scared about being alone forever once my boyfriend (who’s obviously herpes-positive, since he’s the one who gave it to me) and I break up. No educated man is ever going to want to marry someone like me.</p>
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<p>HPV? Do you mean HSV? The Herpes Simplex Virus is usually written as HSV (plus the notation of type I or type II). HPV refers to the Human Papilloma Virus, a completely different virus and one that puts you at significant risk of later developing cervical cancer. Which one were you actually diagnosed with? It makes a difference.</p>
<p>^ Whoops, thanks–I meant HSV. I highly doubt I would have HPV, as I received immunizations specifically against that. </p>
<p>Does anyone know: can I stock up on refills of my prescriptions now and buy extras, before I go back to school?</p>
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<p>Call the pharm where the prescription is on file. They can probably tell you.</p>
<p>Get your PCP to write a script for 90 days supply. Most insurances allow (or even encourage) you to refill by mail. </p>
<p>BTW, the wife also counsels couples where 1 is positive on how to prevent transmission. With 16% and growing infection rate, some find it easier to date within the HSV positive “culture,” but it is not a limiting factor. It is also not something limited to the poor and uneducated. We live in a fairly affluent area.</p>
<p>oatmeal, unfortunately people who are very “hygienic” can and do get genital herpes. Anyone who is sexually active can get it. Condoms can reduce the risk significantly, but not totally. </p>
<p>So many people have this virus, so the chances are very high that very educated young men you meet will have it. This is not the equivalent of a scarlet letter. People with HSV can and do fall in love, marry, have children, etc. I’m a nurse and do medical histories of patients before procedures, and believe me, all kinds of successful, attractive, intelligent, accomplished, and articulate people have this virus or are happily married to someone who has it. Please don’t think this will make you persona non grata in the future. </p>
<p>Educate, educate, educate yourself on this virus. You need to keep yourself as healthy as possible, as outbreaks can occur when you get worn down. Getting fevers or even sunburns increases your risk of an outbreak. Take your meds as prescribed.</p>
<p>Your boyfriend is almost certainly the carrier, though a woman could be infected without having intercourse if she is participating in certain foreplay activities with an infected person. I agree with above; he may not even know he has it as some people are asymptomatic carriers.</p>
<p>Once you get over the shock and process this a little bit, start reading as much as you can find on the subject. This will be relevant some day in the event you get pregnant, but it can still be managed. Also, the more years the virus remains in your body, the better you will get at fighting off the tendency to have outbreaks. Some people go many years between outbreaks once their bodies become accustomed to dealing with it.</p>
<p>Hang in there. You are not alone, and you still have every likelihood of having wonderful relationships, healthy children, and a life largely free of the spectre of this virus. Good luck and take care. :)</p>
<p>I am pretty sure Notre Dame’s health clinic will be of no help to you so you might want to consider getting a referral from your local PCP in the town in case there is a need to treat a serious flare up with something your PCP cannot handle over the phone.</p>
<p>Don’t be ridiculous. If the OP attends Notre Dame, she’ll be able to get help at the campus health clinic. In fact, by googling, I found a brochure about herpes put out by the clinic. Go to [//</a> University Health Services // University of Notre Dame](<a href=“http://uhs.nd.edu/search/]//”>Search // University Health Services // University of Notre Dame) and put herpes in the search box. You’ll find the brochure and some information about herpes that may be helpful to you, including info re insurance coverage for testing.</p>
<p>
Note that HSV is not uncommon. ~1 in 4 women in the US have HSV-2, although a large portion of those are not aware they are carriers. Condoms don’t protect especially well against it, only reducing rate of transmission by ~30%. So you end up with plenty of normal, non-promiscuous persons who have HSV-2 and acquired it without making any careless mistakes. The persons I’ve known with HSV-2 all led normal lives with dating, marriage, etc. Some dated/married partners who also had HSV-2. Some did not.</p>
<p>Why do you assume your bf and you are going to break up? </p>
<p>This isn’t going to keep you from getting a good partner but it is crucial that you’re honest with any future sexual partners.</p>
<p>OP, if you were my daughter, I’d be giving you a big hug right now. It’ll be ok. This is not your fault. You did all the right things. It’ll be ok.</p>
<p>Do you think you might like to talk to someone (in addition to having the medical side of things under control)? I can tell you’re upset by this unwelcome news and it might help to just have someone to talk to about what you’re feeling. See if your school’s health center offers any kind of counseling or therapists.</p>
<p>Also, are you worried about your parents finding out and judging you? You may be surprised by their reaction. And if they don’t find out, it’s really up to you whether or not to tell them.</p>
<p>Hang in there.</p>