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STDs (Expert Forum)
herpes maybe
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
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Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
herpes maybe
by funnymoney, Apr 27, 2006 12:00AM
I had unprotected sex about two weeks ago. Within a few days I had a bacterial infection...discharge with a unpleasant smell. (After researching, I figure it was because he went back and forth between anal and vaginal). Anyhow, I got flagl and the discharge cleared up within a couple days, but then I started having itchy irritated skin on my vulva. So, I figured the antibiotic gave me a yeast infection. I took the yeast medication and within 24 hours that cleared up....except for I had a little irritation around my anus. Anyhow, I figured maybe my yeast had traveled upwards from wiping etc. But I went in to the doc anyway and am getting tested for herp 1 and 2, hiv, and hep c. She said there was a little fissure at the outside of my anus. Trust me, I've looked and I cant' see it, but then again, I guess she can get a closer look than I can. At this point, I'm not having any discomfort at all. But she said it could be hep 1. Then she also told me that it was likely I'd test pos for herp 1 anyway. So, I'm confused.
1.) If most people already have herp 1, how could they then get hep 1 on the genitals?
2. if you get herp around your anus, does that mean that you're still safe for vaginal and only need protection for anal?
3. if you have herp on anus, can you spread it to vaginal?
4. if you have hep 1 genitally, can a partner catch it orally?
5. If I do test pos for hep 1, how will I know wether or not, I just have hep 1 orally and have since I was a kid, or if it is in fact the cause for my little anal pain? I mean, how can I know whether or not I really do have an std? or just hep 1 oral?
6. Would a little fissure like that be characteristic of a herp 1 outbreak?
7. So is it true I could have caught herp 1 from the mouth of my partner during oral?
8. If I test pos for herp 1, do I need to go on valtrex?
Thanks so much this is such a confusing issue.
Let me know if you need clarification:)
1.) If most people already have herp 1, how could they then get hep 1 on the genitals?
2. if you get herp around your anus, does that mean that you're still safe for vaginal and only need protection for anal?
3. if you have herp on anus, can you spread it to vaginal?
4. if you have hep 1 genitally, can a partner catch it orally?
5. If I do test pos for hep 1, how will I know wether or not, I just have hep 1 orally and have since I was a kid, or if it is in fact the cause for my little anal pain? I mean, how can I know whether or not I really do have an std? or just hep 1 oral?
6. Would a little fissure like that be characteristic of a herp 1 outbreak?
7. So is it true I could have caught herp 1 from the mouth of my partner during oral?
8. If I test pos for herp 1, do I need to go on valtrex?
Thanks so much this is such a confusing issue.
Let me know if you need clarification:)
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Apr 27, 2006 12:00AM
, Apr 27, 2006 12:00AM
Whoa – slow down! First, the diagnosis of herpes, due to either herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2, seems unlikely. Herpes is the most common cause of genital ulcers; it can cause anal lesions, but is not the most common cause of anal fissures--and you had another more likely cause (yeast). Second, from your description, it makes no sense to suspect HSV-1 more than HSV-2; you probably misunderstood your doctor about that aspect. When she predicted you will test positive for HSV-1, probably she was referring to a blood test, for which half the population is positive. If you are one of them, it will not mean your anal lesion is due to herpes.
My primary advice is to wait for your test results and a follow-up visit with your doctor, and address herpes issues if that is the diagnosis. In the meantime, do a little research. Read the herpes article in the link at the top of this forum, "STD Quick Facts and Articles"; see the herpes information provided by the American Social Health Association (www.ashastd.org); and search this forum’s threads and archives for such terms as “genital herpes”, “genital HSV-1”, “herpes diagnosis”, and “herpes transmission”.
The super-quick responses to your questions are: 1) They can’t. 2) No. 3) Yes, probably. 4) Very unlikely. 5) If you had past oral herpes, then your anal lesion probably is not due to HSV-1. Otherwise, there is no sure way to know. 6) No. 7) Possibly. 8) Probably not.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
My primary advice is to wait for your test results and a follow-up visit with your doctor, and address herpes issues if that is the diagnosis. In the meantime, do a little research. Read the herpes article in the link at the top of this forum, "STD Quick Facts and Articles"; see the herpes information provided by the American Social Health Association (www.ashastd.org); and search this forum’s threads and archives for such terms as “genital herpes”, “genital HSV-1”, “herpes diagnosis”, and “herpes transmission”.
The super-quick responses to your questions are: 1) They can’t. 2) No. 3) Yes, probably. 4) Very unlikely. 5) If you had past oral herpes, then your anal lesion probably is not due to HSV-1. Otherwise, there is no sure way to know. 6) No. 7) Possibly. 8) Probably not.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
So, doc, if I don't know for sure if I've even had an initial outbreak, should I assume that I might not have any at all? If I'm just lucky in that I don't have outbreaks, do I still need to do valtrex?