Do any of the IMs here have genital herpes?
I think I have contracted it and I am utterly devastated. At first i thought it was thrush and was going to get a treatment for it at the chemist but ended up at the GP. She had a look and took a swab. Results will be ready Friday/Monday. She said the sores looked more like herpes and that thrush doesn't leave you looking this read, raw and blistered. I'm devastated. I have an 19mo and what if I do have it... could I have passed it on to him? I'm so embarrassed. I don't know what to do or how to deal with it, if its true.
13 Replies
Yes I have herpes.
I had my first outbreak three years ago. I hadn’t had any sexual contact in over 2 years.
At least 1:8 people in Australia have genital herpes, most don’t even know they have it, because they never have an outbreak.
All your feelings are normal, but once you get passed the shock you realise it isn’t the horrifying thing you think.
The only way you could have given it to your son is if you had an outbreak during labour. As babies immune systems are so low he would have had an outbreak very quickly after birth. So no, your son doesn’t have it. If you had a c-section there is no way in hell you gave it to him.
There is also no reliable way to ascertain who and when you contracted it.
If you want to have more children they will give you anti viral medication before you go into labour to prevent an outbreak, if you do have an outbreak they may suggest a c-section.
You can go on to have a very healthy sex life as long as you take your medication and not have sex if you do happen to have an outbreak. Using condoms is a good idea, but not particularly protective from herpes.
I’ve only had 3 outbreaks over the 3 years and it’s had very little impact on my life.
Yes I have it. I get it on my genitals at times however I don’t have the strain that is sexually transmitted so to speak. It can present on any part of the body.
My now husband was the carrier and I got it from him, he has outbreaks VERY often (once a month).
Chances are you will pass it onto your kid depending on the strain you have, whether it be when you gave birth or over time, through sharing a drink etc.. it’s nothing to be feared.
She would literally have to rub her genitals up against her child while she has an outbreak to pass it to her child!
To the OP you will not give your child herpes.
https://herpes.org.uk/frequently-asked-questions/passing-transmitting-he...
That’s IF it’s the genital strain. It can literally be passed on by sharing a straw or cup depending on the strain..
She would have to rub the straw on her genitals!
NO! You are wrong. If it’s NOT the genital strain potentially even having an ulcer can pass it on. You’re only saying if it’s the genital strain whilst she has this current outbreak. It’s extremely important to be mindful of ulcers and any lumps or tingling sensations on parts of the body. They can show up on fingers, mouth, eyes etc.. not just genitals depending on the strain.
Yes I have it. I get it on my genitals at times however I don’t have the strain that is sexually transmitted so to speak. It can present on any part of the body.
My now husband was the carrier and I got it from him, he has outbreaks VERY often (once a month).
Chances are you will pass it onto your kid depending on the strain you have, whether it be when you gave birth or over time, through sharing a drink etc.. it’s nothing to be feared.
Some facts for you. Please don’t worry about your child
https://herpes.org.uk/frequently-asked-questions/passing-transmitting-he...
OMG thank you!!! I was sitting here in tears reading that I might've passed it on!!! Thank you!!
Glad I could help. Don’t know what that other poster was thinking!
I had what appeared to be herpes, i have thrush regularly because I have a sweet tooth and 7 years ago the symptoms were so different, more like herpes than thrush according to the doctor. When the results came back it was thrush.
I have it. 1 in 3 have genital herpes and I was sooo much like you when I found out was absolutely devastated what eased my thought process was my gp told me that she had a patient in her 80’s that husband had died and she had met a new fellow and contracted it. I only ever have to take anti vitals when I have an outbreak and I tend not to have too many I was diagnosed over 10 years ago now I thought I had chafe put cortisone on it only to find out it actually feeds them and made it a billion times worse. I completely get the paranoia of passing it on to your child I had an outbreak 3 weeks before going into labour thanks to the anti virals and time frame she was fine and perfectly safe for me to have a vaginal birth. Yet I was still constantly checking her when I would change her nappy it’s always been in the back of my mind. I know easier said than done but don’t stress it too much these things happen. Have also found I tend to only ever get an outbreak when I’m really stressed or my immune system is shot after being sick. You got this mumma sorry for the long post
Yes I have it. I have the cold sore type. If I don't get it on my hoo ha it appear in the corners of my mouth or on my lips. I take medication and it disappears. I mainly get an outbreak when I'm stressed