vaginapagina | Anonymous Post: HSV questions (Reply)

Greetings, fellow Superstars! As you probably know, from time to time the VP Team makes posts on behalf of people who wish to remain anonymous or who do not have LJ accounts. This is one such post. Thanks in advance for your helpful comments. :)

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-- Popples
for the VP Team

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I was diagnosed with genital herpes when I was 16. Since my very first outbreak, I always experience the following: One or two small sores in the *exact* same spot on my right outer labia, very swollen lymph nodes on the right side of my groin, and a moderate to severe headache, as well as itchiness and pain in the sores.

However, a couple days ago I developed an ouchy-spot, but I can't tell if it is a herpes outbreak. I need to be sure because I'm trying to keep my partner herpes-free. I unfortunately cannot afford my medicine (It's $300 a pop!), so I only take it when I have an actual outbreak (so this way it doesn't help prevent spreading it or prevent outbreaks, but it *does* make an outbreak disappear in only a few days if I take it when one starts)

The thing is, it's in a completely different spot on the left side of my vulva, and I have no headache or swollen lymph nodes. Looking at it, I really can not determine if this is an ingrown hair, a sore from chaffing, or what. The lack of other symptoms in the fact it is in a different spot for the first time ever leads me to believe that it might not be HSV at all.

So, I guess my question is: what are the chances of my symptoms changing so drastically? Should I assume that this is not an outbreak, or should we play it safe? [Well, I'm definitely going to play it safe with Partner, but I would dread wasting my expensive medicine!]

Thank you Superstars!