I've name changed as I feel so awkward about this. Sorry in tmi.
I've never had reason to look up the side effects of herpes but I've just read another thread which prompted me to fin out more...and now I'm REALLY worried.
When I first met my husband I caught herpes, we were young and didn't know the implications of coldsores/ oral sex. I went to the GP and they told me I had herpes. Was given anti-virals, it took AGES to go away but it hasn't come back since so to be honest I've pretty much forgotten the experience until now. I was so embarrassed about it all at the time I think I denied it a bit and saw myself as dirty so never read up on it (nor was I given info). Obviously I've grown up a lot now and I see at as one of those things, rather than shameful, but as it's never flared up again I've never put much thought into it.
However, I've now read that a mother having herpes can pass it on to her unborn child and I feel sick. I'm 35 weeks. Do I ring midwife/ GP straight away? Wait until the next apppointment (next week)? I'm terrified as to what the implications will be. I'm also upset that if it can be such a serious issue that new mothers are asked at booking in if they've ever been treated for an STD. I mean it's awkward, but just as important as HIV testing etc so the need outweighs the potential offence caused. I also wish that at the time of diagnosis that I'd had more advice, rather than a fob off and dirty look. It was the treatment I received at the clinic that made me feel so ashamed in the first place. I was there with my husband and was asked all sorts of questions relating to sex work etc. (which I understand why) that were met with raised eyebows/ funny looks. They treated me with real disdain and I've tried to block the experience out since. Thet even sent a letter about a follow up check inc. diagnosis to my parents house, despite me asking them NOT to write to this address as I had the same intial and surname combination as my mother and we frequently opened each others post by mistake. Looking my strict catholic parents in the eye was hard for a LONG time after that (unnecessary) letter)
I don't know what to say really, and I can't believe that as an educated older woman I've managed to miss this completely.
This has been a bit of an outpouring, can you tell I've bottled up the feelings this long...
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Herpes...I'm the last person to know the effects?!
slowontheuptake · 13/04/2010 21:36
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