Confused by Possible Symptoms

[owl_123]

I've posted in the regular forum a few times but haven't really gotten many opinions, so I'm hoping you can help.

History:
- Tested positive for HSV 1, over 5 years ago (no symptoms at time, just doing an STD check-up, never had an oral cold sore, however entire family has, so I'm assuming I contracted as a child)
- Been having issues with anal fissures since end of November
- Unprotected oral sex November, December, February
- Unprotected oral and protected vaginal sex early January
- Tested in January, still negative for HSV 2
- End of February I remember having 2 non-painful bumps (looked like pimples) on my buttocks, scratched them and they did have a small scab (never itchy or painful)... during the same time I remember the back of my legs feeling almost numb for an evening
- Since April or May, the week before my period I have been getting a small rash around/below my anus, a few red bumps on each side... rash itself not itchy, but occasionally my anus will itch when I have a fissure
- Also notice a single red bump on the right side of my perineum about the same time every month.
- Was diagnosed in May with a vaginal yeast infection
- Early June was tested again (5 months after protected vaginal and 3 months after unprotected oral) and still negative for HSV 2 (and all other STDs)
- Last month a noticed a few small bumps around my clit
- This month - same anal bumps and perineum bump
- These bumps/rashes never blister or form scabs, are not painful... and very mild itching occasionally.

I'm going to my GP again tomorrow, but I have a feeling I know what he is going to say.  That it doesn't resemble herpes and he can't do a swab test with no open sores.

So here are my questions:
- Most importantly, does it sound like it could be genital herpes?
- What are the chances of my HSV 1 becoming genital... and experiencing symptoms every month?
- Would herpes move around that much in a matter of days?
- And any other thoughts on what could be going on?

Thanks!

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Honestly, herpes has so many presentations that when you ask "could these symptoms be genital herpes", I would have to say, yes, that's possible.  I don't believe at all, however, that this fits the picture of genital HSV 1.  It recurs infrequently, an average, once every other year.  I think the chances are that you have HSV 1 orally, haven't ever noticed a cold sore and might not ever.  As long as you continue to test HSV 2, I think you are probably OK.  No particular thoughts about what you symptoms might be, either.  Best to try to sort that out with a provider who sees you in person, I think.

Terri
author of "The Good News About the Bad News:  Everything you need to know about herpes"  at Amazon.com

[owl_123]

Thanks Terri.  

One more follow-up question:  Is this a fair assumption... that if in fact my previous HSV1 test was oral, 1) It would be very uncommon to contract it genitally and 2) having previous antibodies in my system would make it even more unlikely I would be experiencing these symptoms every month?

My doctor prescribed me an anti-fungal yesterday.  I'm just concerned because these symptoms all started when I started receiving oral sex more frequently.  I'm hopeful it's just a coincidence.

[owl_123]

Another question... I know Herpes can come in many "forms", is a non-raised red spot one of the possible forms?

Thanks again for all the help!

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

The answers to your two questions above are yes and yes.  A red spot could be a sign of herpes but it could many, many other things as well.

Terri