Herpes keratitis?

[TommieB]

A little background first: A few weeks ago I had sexual contact (not intercourse) with a guy I was dating.  He was touching himself and touching me, and there was some brief contact between genitals.  A few days later, I started to have a burning sensation in my vagina and some pain when urinating.  Then I began to itch in the groin area and developed some small red patches and a lot of bumps/blisters that looked like chicken pox (had that when i was a child), and I had swollen lymph nodes in the groin.  I also got some itchy bumps on my upper body and on my scalp.  He did touch me in these areas, so I'm thinking he could have potentially spread the virus that way.  The rash and bumps/blisters have subsided, but for the past several days I've had pain in and around one of my eyes, along with the sensation of "grit" in the eye, and some tearing/discharge.  So I'm afraid that I somehow transferred the infection to my eye, and that has me very, very scared.  Does anyone have any thoughts on this?  I have been to the doctor once, but she said that there wasn't enough fluid in the bumps to culture and test for herpes, and since there aren't any lesions around the eye she couldn't be certain of what is going on.  How likely is it that I've transferred the virus to my eye???

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Yes the virus does need to be active to be seen. Go to www.emedicine.com and read the section on herpes type 2 genital infections. When the virus is dormant not able to diagnosis.

JCH MD

[TommieB]

John: First, DEFINITELY will be safer in the future.  This is the one and only time I've been this foolish.  Can you tell me a little more about herpes keratitis?  Can an opthalmologist diagnose it if there are no blisters or lesions around the eye?  Does the virus have to be active for an eye doc to see it, or is there evidence even when the virus is dormant?  Any further information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  Many, many thanks.  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

It is quite possible that you have a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It could be herpes simplex type 2 or chlamydia or others.

You need to tell your sexual partner about this and get his history of STD. Also need to see ophthalmologist and gynecologist.

Consider practicing safe sex or at least safer sex.

JCH MD