I’ve been diagnosed with genital herpes in February 2019, and it has caused me a great deal of stress and worry.

After having a few frequent outbreaks, in July 2019 doctor prescribed Valacyclovir 500mg once a day for a year. Since then I have occasional symptoms, such as itching and redness from time to time, which never became lesions, and have had two actual outbreaks, in April and May this year, and I believe those were due to extreme stress.

Also, my doctor advised to get tested for HIV which I have done in April 2019, November 2019 and February 2020, all negative. I still obsess about.

I have a partner for a year now and I am always concerned of him getting herpes from me. I told him about it before we started dating and he said he doesn’t care about it, in the best possible way. But every time we have vaginal or oral sex I worry and cannot relax. 

Also, now I constantly get worried about getting cold sores too, although I’ve never had one in my life. I’ve had a friend over a few days ago, and she was having her first outbreak (almost healed), but I was stressing out so much while she was here and after she left. We haven’t shared food or drinks, but I guess all the stress since I was diagnosed make me very paranoid.

Can you give me some information that would calm down my worries and help me have a normal life without constantly having concerns? 

Thank you!

Regarding the HIV tests; I’ve done one in April 2019, three months after getting herpes (but don’t know which kind of a test), and HIV 1/2 combo in November 2019 and February 2020. 

Is this enough or should I test again? 

In the laboratory they told me I should do PCR test, but I’m not sure what that is and if it is really necessary (especially not even knowing if I was at actual risk, and since March 2019 I had the same partner). 

Also, another question regarding herpes, what happens if I decide to stop taking medication on daily basis?

Thank you very much for your time!

Unfortunately, my doctor never sent the sample for testing, so I’m not really sure. 

When it comes to HIV testing, I have done it because my doctor suggested, although my previous partner says he doesn’t have it. But after I was diagnosed with herpes I’m not sure what I can believe in. 

Since then I have had one partner and no risks that I know of. I understand that for fourth generation tests would show after three months, and I have done 3 tests over the past year.