12th March 2008
Hi, I just have a question about HSV-1. My husband of 19 years has had cold sores since we met. We have been SUPER careful ALWAYS and I don't touch him or share anything when he's had outbreaks. He has not had an outbreak in 3 years, and I have assumed that I have dodged the bullet, so to speak. Three days ago, I noticed a sore spot on the end of my nose. I thought it was the beginning of a pimple, and put benzoyl peroxide on it. The next day, it was like 5-8 small, clear blisters and hurt terribly. The lymph nodes next to my throat are also enlarged. I called my Dr. and got Valtrex (2 tablets) and took those. I also have been using Zovirax cream and keeping it covered because it's so horrible.
My question is, how could I have gotten this? Am I to assume my husband gave it to me, possibly a long time ago without me knowing it? I have done some reading on this, and supposedly a person who has this can transmit it in their saliva even when there are no obvious sores. Also I've read that in a primary outbreak such as mine, that it usually appears 2-20 days after exposure. As I mentioned before, my husband has not had an outbreak in 3 years, and as of the last year, we've had no close or intimate contact due to his diagnosis of cancer and subsequent treatment. He has been very sick and neither one of us has been interested in any sexual activity. There is no possibility that either one of us has been unfaithful, ever.
You may need to know also that due to extreme stress, I stopped having my period in 2002 (I was 42). My doc said I was in menopause. Last month, my period returned. I've now had two cycles, and the doc tested my hormones and said they were normal like they should be for someone who is pre-menopausal. Right now is the last day of this menstrual cycle, and as I said, 3 days ago is when this horrible thing appeared on my nose. What I've read indicates that having your period can trigger an HSV outbreak.
Can anyone help me? I really need to know how it is possible for me to have this. I am going crazy thinking about it. I have always been a very careful, clean person and do not share things with others, not even my husband. I've never been with anyone previous to my husband that had any type of problem like this. Plus it's been 19 years! Thank you so much!
My question is, how could I have gotten this? Am I to assume my husband gave it to me, possibly a long time ago without me knowing it? I have done some reading on this, and supposedly a person who has this can transmit it in their saliva even when there are no obvious sores. Also I've read that in a primary outbreak such as mine, that it usually appears 2-20 days after exposure. As I mentioned before, my husband has not had an outbreak in 3 years, and as of the last year, we've had no close or intimate contact due to his diagnosis of cancer and subsequent treatment. He has been very sick and neither one of us has been interested in any sexual activity. There is no possibility that either one of us has been unfaithful, ever.
You may need to know also that due to extreme stress, I stopped having my period in 2002 (I was 42). My doc said I was in menopause. Last month, my period returned. I've now had two cycles, and the doc tested my hormones and said they were normal like they should be for someone who is pre-menopausal. Right now is the last day of this menstrual cycle, and as I said, 3 days ago is when this horrible thing appeared on my nose. What I've read indicates that having your period can trigger an HSV outbreak.
Can anyone help me? I really need to know how it is possible for me to have this. I am going crazy thinking about it. I have always been a very careful, clean person and do not share things with others, not even my husband. I've never been with anyone previous to my husband that had any type of problem like this. Plus it's been 19 years! Thank you so much!