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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Final Followup on Herpes Potential
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Final Followup on Herpes Potential
by rpswilackfdklfdlkjkl;, Mar 02, 2004 12:00AM
Dr., I just wanted to ask a few moer questions. It has been over 12 weeks since potential exposure and I have tested negative for all STD's and for Herpes Type 2 twice through a blood test. Once at 7 weeks and once at 12 weeks. My original bump occurred one week after exposure and was filled with white puss that I popped twice. Since that time I have caused some irritation to the area, but two specific things concern me.
First, the original bump has never fully gone away. It definitely went way down, but I can still notice it. Could that be caused by my constant picking and sqeezing?
At the six week point out of no where it got very itchy and turned red but no sores developed. This went away in a day or two. What could have caused that?
Two weeks ago, the area seemed irritated again and it swelled up exactly where the original sore was. It was unpoppable, and never broke or anything like that. It really wasn't too big, but there were a few pin size red dots around it, but not directly next to it. Leading up to this swelling I had experienced some pain in my genitals, butt, and legs. It was a shooting type of pain. It was not concentrated to just that area though because I experienced shooting pains in my feet, hands, arms, and some other random areas of my body including my face which is odd. At the same time I developed a few small blisters on my middle finger of my right hand which are almost gone now. I am stumped by this and it is what prompted my follow up test for HSV 2. What could have caused all of this? I have not had chicken pox to my knowledge and have noticed some other red bumps on my chest and arms at times, but nothing major. Could it be shingles or chinckenpox? I would like to rule out Herpes, but I have had too many symptoms. When I got my test results the symptoms started to subside, but not fully until a few days later. I now have no shooting pains for the most part, and to the best of my knowledge this is the first time I have experience no pains except for maybe a few random days here or there. I have asked a lot of questions so any help would be appreciated as to what might cause the bumps and what might cause the pains throughout my body. I also felt fluish after my 12 week test results came back, but only after a night of 2 hours sleep. Was just a little fatigued and fine 2 days later. May not even be related. Could Herpes Antibodies not show up after 12 weeks? Thanks doc, and sorry this is so long.
First, the original bump has never fully gone away. It definitely went way down, but I can still notice it. Could that be caused by my constant picking and sqeezing?
At the six week point out of no where it got very itchy and turned red but no sores developed. This went away in a day or two. What could have caused that?
Two weeks ago, the area seemed irritated again and it swelled up exactly where the original sore was. It was unpoppable, and never broke or anything like that. It really wasn't too big, but there were a few pin size red dots around it, but not directly next to it. Leading up to this swelling I had experienced some pain in my genitals, butt, and legs. It was a shooting type of pain. It was not concentrated to just that area though because I experienced shooting pains in my feet, hands, arms, and some other random areas of my body including my face which is odd. At the same time I developed a few small blisters on my middle finger of my right hand which are almost gone now. I am stumped by this and it is what prompted my follow up test for HSV 2. What could have caused all of this? I have not had chicken pox to my knowledge and have noticed some other red bumps on my chest and arms at times, but nothing major. Could it be shingles or chinckenpox? I would like to rule out Herpes, but I have had too many symptoms. When I got my test results the symptoms started to subside, but not fully until a few days later. I now have no shooting pains for the most part, and to the best of my knowledge this is the first time I have experience no pains except for maybe a few random days here or there. I have asked a lot of questions so any help would be appreciated as to what might cause the bumps and what might cause the pains throughout my body. I also felt fluish after my 12 week test results came back, but only after a night of 2 hours sleep. Was just a little fatigued and fine 2 days later. May not even be related. Could Herpes Antibodies not show up after 12 weeks? Thanks doc, and sorry this is so long.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Mar 03, 2004 12:00AM
, Mar 03, 2004 12:00AM
1. First, the original bump has never fully gone away. It definitely went way down, but I can still notice it. Could that be caused by my constant picking and squeezing?
Answer: Yes.
2. At the six week point out of no where it got very itchy and turned red but no sores developed. This went away in a day or two. What could have caused that?
Answer: I don't know, but I can't think of anything significant as a cause.
As to the others, I really can't explain all these bumps. People get bums of various kinds. You would need to show therm to a skin doctor. But they do not sound like herpes to me. As to the shooting pains, they could be from stress or worry. If they persist, once again you will need to ask a doctor about them.
3. I would like to rule out Herpes, but I have had too many symptoms.
After all your negative tests, what is it going to taker to convince you that you don't have herpes?
Please see a skin doctor and get this off your mind once and for all.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Answer: Yes.
2. At the six week point out of no where it got very itchy and turned red but no sores developed. This went away in a day or two. What could have caused that?
Answer: I don't know, but I can't think of anything significant as a cause.
As to the others, I really can't explain all these bumps. People get bums of various kinds. You would need to show therm to a skin doctor. But they do not sound like herpes to me. As to the shooting pains, they could be from stress or worry. If they persist, once again you will need to ask a doctor about them.
3. I would like to rule out Herpes, but I have had too many symptoms.
After all your negative tests, what is it going to taker to convince you that you don't have herpes?
Please see a skin doctor and get this off your mind once and for all.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (2)
by rpswilackfdklfdlkjkl;, Mar 03, 2004 12:00AM
Just wanted to add that I am now getting tingly feelings in my feet and hands, but no where else. For the most part no strange feelings in the genitals.
