Boyfriend may have herpes. We've been having unprotected sex. He just realized he might have it. I have not had any outbreaks, but now I am worried that other things may be symptoms. Like discharge with abnormal smell. I've always had some discharge, but since I have been with him, not this much and no smell. Could this be a symptom?

Usually a discharge with a foul odor indicates some other type of infection, possibly an STD, but unlikely herpes if that's all the symptoms you have. Herpes can have discharge, but not bad smelling. Check for vaginitis, chlamydia...or it would be wiser to have a full check up on all STDs, including herpes.

go to doc and get blood test....they can tell you immediately.............both of you

YES! go and get checked out immediately. I also have never heard of abnormal smelling discharge coming from herpes, but other STD's absolutely. It could even just be a yeast infection but you need to know, because herpes is technically harmless, but things like chlymidia and gonorrhea can be very harmful to your health. Please go get checked as soon as possible. You will feel better in doing so.

hmm what symptoms does herpes hav

It's very likely that you have Bacterial Vaginosis (sp?). I used to think that the particular discharge i had was normal then thought it was due to herpes and then thought it might be yeast. It ended up being BV. Some women can have a small occurance of BV and not even be aware of it and it can clear up on it's own. If you have a heavy occurance of BV, it can have a bad smell or as in my case, it had a "bleach/peroxide" type of smell. Sort of like when you put colour in your hair and mix the ingredience and it's the amonia peroxide smell.

BV is not an STD, but it mostly occurs due to sex for some reason. It also happens if a partner touches you with his penis or fingers at the anal area and then accidentaly touches you at your vaginal area, also if you wipe incorrectly after going to the toilet, other reasons are still a mystery and some doctors say you can pass it back and forth between yourself and your partner, while other doctors say this isn't possible.

BV is similar-ish to a yeast infection in the fact that they both occur due to an imbalance of the good and bad bacteria.

When i first got treated the doctor gave me a single dose medication (about 5 tablets which i had to take in one go after my meal). This didn't work and strangely enough whether it's yeast or BV, the single dosage med's never work for me. I always only have success with the 7 day treatments.

After taking the one day dosage, i ended up with very bad yeast infection. When i took the 7 day treatment i took a probiotic twice per day and never got a yeast infection.

Go to your doctor and get a vaginal swab and if you aren't sure about possible STD's, get an entire check up, but i'll bet it's BV as it is very common. There is more info on this in the Womens Health section of the Healthboard.