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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Keeping secrets

25 replies

Littlebeachhut · 15/09/2020 11:00

Now in a relationship with an amazing guy he’s so kind and caring thing is he’s found out today he’s got a cold sore and is worried he can’t work out why he has one. The thing is I’ve had Herpes once in the past Over a year ago never had anything since had forgotten about it really. Until now I started to get urine infection so took some antibiotics and it felt like it was clearing up and now I have one spot on my bum. I’m worried the Herpes have come back and I’ve given him a cold sore. I felt like I’ve lied to him and should have just said I have Herpes before I slept with him. Do I own up now how would you tell him.

OP posts:
ZoominMoomin · 15/09/2020 11:11

You most definitely should have told him you have Herpes before you slept with him. I know it's not the 'worst' STD out there, but I would be beyond pissed off if someone I slept with had it and didn't think it was worth telling me because it's a bit embarrassing. And if I were in your shoes, I would be more embarrassed at the thought of having given it to someone, than the minor embarrassment of explaining to someone I have an STD. That way, the other person has a choice in whether they want to sleep with you or not. By sleeping with them and not telling them, you have taken away that choice, and I think that is wholly unfair. Best thing to do now is just fess up and be honest.

Littlebeachhut · 15/09/2020 11:24

Thanks I didn’t mean to not tell him just completely forgot about it due to it not being on my mind and doctors told me not to worry about it

OP posts:
ZoominMoomin · 15/09/2020 11:37

I get that, but sexual health is really important and shouldn't be something to be forgotten about, especially when it comes to being with a new partner. Just be honest with him 'Sorry, but I have Herpes. I should have told you' - don't say you forgot, as he will probably take it that you didn't care enough to tell him. Both go get checked out and look after yourselves.

Littlebeachhut · 15/09/2020 12:28

We’ve been together 4 months how do I bring it up now

OP posts:
PinkMonkeyBird · 15/09/2020 12:33

OMG I can't believe you hadn't told him before you slept with him. How irresponsible. I wouldn't blame him if he dumped you after finding out you had kept this information from him.

Delbelleber · 15/09/2020 12:38

I think it's an honest mistake to make but now would be a good time to explain.

scoobydoo1971 · 15/09/2020 12:51

Herpes HSV-1 is typically associated with cold sores, and herpes HSV-2 is typically associated with genital features. There can be some overlapping symptoms. Your best bet would be to pop down to a minor injuries unit to get them to check your sore. It could just be a cyst and you may have a urinary tract infection that needs treatment anyway. Your partner may have had HSV-1 from years ago, and he may just be having a flare up which is common at times of stress, lack of sleep or illness. Some blisters on the face are not HSV-1. You should tell him about your medical condition and try to reduce the risk of transmission at any rate. But get yourself checked out anyway as you may need some medical help.

Littlebeachhut · 15/09/2020 12:57

Thanks I’ve got antibiotics for a urine infection

OP posts:
Skyla2005 · 15/09/2020 12:58

It might not be anything to do with it lots of people get cold sores and the spot on your bum could be just a spot. Just say it’s something that happened in the past and you didn’t even think about it cause it all cleared up and the doc said all fine

Seadad · 15/09/2020 14:00

Sorry - but herpes is localised - so it enters the body and remains localised to the area (the mucus membrane it entered) So you can only get a cold sore from someone with herpes by your mouth being in contact with the affected area. Similarly you can give ‘genital’ herpes to someone if you have a cold sore and have oral sex. But you can’t just get a cold sore on your mouth unless your mouth has been in contact with the affected area (another mouth etc). So if your herpes is anal - he would have to have put his mouth there to get a cold sore. If he has - and you know you have herpes in that area - you really should have told him before. If he hasn’t - and you don’t have herpes anywhere else - then he’s got a cold sore that he could have contracted since childhood?

Littlebeachhut · 15/09/2020 15:24

Ok so he’s never had a cold sore before I’ve had genital Herpes once’s Doctors didn’t test for it just said we think you have herpes take these and it should go away. I’ve never had it since or had any symptoms even with out symptoms could he of caught it off me

OP posts:
StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 15/09/2020 15:36

It is more likely that he is a bit run down and just has a cold sore. Exposure to sunlight can often bring them on.

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 15/09/2020 15:38

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus. Once this virus is in you, it can cause outbreaks of cold sores. Cold sore outbreaks are often triggered by exposure to hot sun, cold wind, a cold or other illness, a weak immune system, changing hormone levels, or even stress.

Seadad · 15/09/2020 16:28

A ‘spot on your bum’ really doesn’t sound like herpes! Unless it’s very near your genital area. I’m not a doctor- but I know it’s often misdiagnosed. Cold sores are very common.

MulticolourMophead · 15/09/2020 16:30

@Littlebeachhut

Ok so he’s never had a cold sore before I’ve had genital Herpes once’s Doctors didn’t test for it just said we think you have herpes take these and it should go away. I’ve never had it since or had any symptoms even with out symptoms could he of caught it off me
OP, once you have herpes, that's it, you have it for life. I suspect when the doctors said it would just go away, they were talking about the symptoms, not the virus. If so, they should have checked you had the full information.
TruffleMama · 15/09/2020 16:40

So if your herpes is anal - he would have to have put his mouth there to get a cold sore.

This is incorrect. Yes, herpes is largely localised, and most people who get reoccurances have them appear in the same place each time. However, this is not always the case. The host can spread it to other areas around the usual localised area - usually by scratching or by touching the affected area and then touching another area close by.

A lot of people with herpes are fully or mostly asymptomatic. This means the virus can be present on the skin with no signs/symptoms.

It is possible that the OP had the virus present on her genitals (without symptoms) and she unknowingly transferred it to her anus/bum herself.

@Littlebeachhut I’ve had genital Herpes once
This is also incorrect. No one has herpes once. You may have had an outbreak once and no further occurrences, but that does not mean you no longer have herpes or you stop having herpes whilst you aren't displaying symptoms. Once you contract herpes, you will always have herpes.
The fact you haven't shown any further symptoms since you initial outbreak means your immune system does a good job of suppressing the virus to prevent reoccurances. However, there is a small percent of time (around 2 or 3 days a year) when the virus will still be present on your genitals without there being any symptoms - it is called "viral shedding" and it is possible to transmit the virus to others during this time.

Although the timing suggests your partner has recently contracted herpes from you, this may not be the case.
Your partner may have contracted herpes a long time ago from a previous partner/relative (babies/young children often contract it from family members kissing them). He may have never had an outbreak until now. Or he might have previously had outbreaks but not realised it was herpes (he may have thought he had a spot). Outbreaks are usually triggered by stress, sunlight, poor lifestyle.

I'm not sure how you can just forget you have herpes, and forget to mention it to a new sexual partner. Perhaps you just decided not to tell him because you were afraid of how he would react. It's not an easy conversation to have with any new partner, but it is the responsible thing to do. You need to be honest with him now. Tell him the truth. It might be too late and he might walk away as he will likely feel angry, betrayed or lied to. Either way, do the right thing.

Littlebeachhut · 15/09/2020 17:28

Anyway I told him the cold sore could of been from me he wasn’t bothered thank god said he dosnt look at me differently it’s nothing to worry about said that I was worrying and making a big deal over nothing

OP posts:
JorisBonson · 15/09/2020 17:51

Wow.

Russell19 · 15/09/2020 17:52

Just for info are all coldsores herpes?

Littlebeachhut · 15/09/2020 17:52

@JorisBonson

Wow.
?
OP posts:
Littlebeachhut · 15/09/2020 17:54

Honestly so glad he took it well I currently have so many things wrong with me medically should really remember this is a very important one to tell people

OP posts:
TruffleMama · 15/09/2020 18:22

@Russell19

Yes. The blisters that we refer to as "coldsores" = herpes.

The sore are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).

You can get the sores orally and/or genitally.

Around 80-90% of people have HSV. It is extremely common.
For the majority of people, herpes is just an occasional minor irritation at most. It's the unnecessary stigma attached to it that makes people worry about it so much.

TruffleMama · 15/09/2020 18:32

@Littlebeachhut

Anyway I told him the cold sore could of been from me he wasn’t bothered thank god said he dosnt look at me differently it’s nothing to worry about said that I was worrying and making a big deal over nothing
I'm glad he took it well.

OP, please don't take this the wrong way, but I really think you should educate yourself in regards to herpes so you are better informed to discuss it in the future, should the occasion arise.

Obviously I hope things go well with this relationship, but I still think you would benefit from educating yourself so you are aware how best to protect yourself and your partner going forward. Your partner may have contracted oral herpes from you.. you need to take precautions to ensure he doesn't contract the virus genitally as well (if he doesn't already have genital herpes). And vice versa, you may have genital herpes, but you need to take precautions to ensure you don't contract oral herpes from your partner (if you don't already have oral herpes).

Littlebeachhut · 15/09/2020 19:39

Nothing except never having sex again can stop him from catching it we wear condoms after I first caught it I did my research and from what I read and was told by a doctor it was something not to worry about but it may come back in the future and I could pass it on if I had an outbreak I was wrongly informed and assumed it wasn’t an issue as it was so common the virus that 80% have it in them x

OP posts:
Seadad · 15/09/2020 20:03

It’s very common (maybe as high as 80%??) but predominantly oral herpes (colds sores). Glad he’s ok about it OP.

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