Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Can pregnancy cause an outbreak

I'm in my 7th month and a little under a week ago I developed a red bump  on the outside of my right thigh that I thought was an ingrown hair. I pulled the skin around the area and a large white bump was apparent where the itching was (I thought it might also have been a bite), like when a pimple turns white when you pull the skin, from lack of blood flow, I guess. I scratched it vigorously due to itching.  It developed into a small cluster of red dots in a red area.  I think I can see a little dot of pus in the original bump and I'm not sure if there are any other dots of pus.  The red area is all connected and it seems like it's stopped growing (I stopped scratching, as well) at about the size of a nickel.  I've never had any herpes symptoms before that I've noticed and wondered if pregnancy can cause it to appear.  I'm married and have only been with my husband, although he has had previous partners.  He's had no overt symptoms either, but has had a couple of suspicious episodes over the span of a few years that he thought might have been herpes.  In fact, he described it on here and a doctor said it didn't necessarily sound like herpes, but she couldn't be sure, so who knows?  Does this sound like hsv2?  Or maybe hsv1 that has spread to the groin, since, if it is herpes, the symptoms have been mild/very infrequent to non-existent?  PS I've never had chicken pox, so I don't think zoster is an issue.  Thanks!
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
55646 tn?1263660809
Right, I'm not sure if this chances my response at all.  If something was there all along and didn't change over time, its unlikely to be herpes.

Terri
Helpful - 0
55646 tn?1263660809
Sorry to be so long to respond, I've been away camping.
I think the best thing for you to do would be to tell your OB exactly about your symptoms and your concerns.  I would recommend that you get an antibody test for HSV .  Have you ever in your life had a cold sore on your lip?  If yes, I would expect your HSV 1 test to be positive.

When you are later in your pregnancy, your immune system is somewhat compromised.  Sometimes, that's the first time a herpes outbreak is noticed.  Do you feel comfortable talking to your OB about your concerns?  I hope you do.  Even though you have only had one partner, your husband has had other partners and there may be some risk to you.  Or this may be absolutely nothing at all.  Antibody testing will provide you with more information that you need at this point.  You only want IgG test, not IgM.  Will you let me know when you have more information?  I'm eager to hear what's going on with you.

Terri
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was wondering if you've had a chance to review my question.

Thanks
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think it's important to mention that I'm not sure if it started as a single bump or if the others were there all along.  Thanks again!
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum

Popular Resources
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.