Some of you have mentioned that the symptoms I described were classic HSV symptoms. There was one piece of information that I forgot to provide. I didn't, and don't have a fever or major flu like symptoms. My groin area did not become tender and I had no pains in my buttocks or legs. It is my understanding that in an initial outbreak these symptoms are experienced. Yup, well more likely to be - its a measure of immune reaction - in someone who hasn't been exposed to a particular virus the first reaction is often very strong - the body goes into overdrive trying to set up a permanent specific response. Not everyone will get that though. The groin tenderness woud be the lymphnodes at the top of the legs swelling as a response. Some people get that even on recurrences. Tim

Yes you are correct, there is no blood test for the HPV virus. My ex girlfriend was tested for (supposedly) everything else. Now I'm learning that HSV isnt part of the regular testing....unreal... Not really - if you are trying to check for disease then testing for HSV2 alone doesn't tell you the complete risk and HSV1 blood testing won't really tell you the genital risk either. Plus reliable HSV blood tests that offer accurate HSV2 diagnosis are new and pretty pricey compared to the others to enough of an extent you respond to individual need. Tim

Hi Dave Been lurking a bit myself of late. I just wanted to comment that eventually, when things even out in your lives as a couple (from this probably traumatic event of both being diagnosed with GH) both you and Sandy might well experience what my Lady and I have. Almost NO effects, as a couple, from having genital herpes.  Since it's sounding like both of you will have been infected by the same virus, one quite possibly giving it to the other, then you won't be passing it back and forth as some folks think happens. The ping-pong effect has been pretty much debunked.  Once you have herpes, it's yours, and will outbreak at it's own speed.  Now, friction, stuff you eat, immune problems, stress, etc can effect the virus and make it more active sometimes but passing it back and forth won't be an issue.  Plus, since both have the same virus, what's the point in condoms?  Assuming nothing else is looming in the dark (like that HPV issue...but then, most people have at least one type of HPV by the time they've had 3 or more sexual partners) you can kinda forget about catching things from each other now.  Especially herpes!  Yippee!  ::grin:: The only time I think about herpes anymore (had it now for over 5 years) is when I wish I had more time to respond to posts here.  Otherwise, it's a complete non-issue in my relationship with my Lady.  Sure, sometimes I have an outbreak (my Lady never has outbreaks, yet does have herpes