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Did I get Herpetic whitlow?
I have recently been rekindling a relationship with someone who has HSV1 & HSV2. I was less than careful with her in the past and have been making serious efforts to be more cautious this time around. I'll just break down my potential exposures with her since we started seeing each other again and perhaps someone can identify whether or not my present symptoms suggest Herepetic whitlow or even typical HSV 1 and/or 2.
- We first started kissing only for the first 3 times we were together. I wanted to go out with her a few times before things got more intimate, just to make sure I still had feelings. I'm sure this puts me at risk for HSV 1 which I'm not too concerned about.
- She came back home with me a few weeks ago but I didn't want to have sex. I wasn't ready to go forward with it yet, both out of emotional reluctance and also precaution. I did use my finger on her a few times and she went down on me unprotected for a few seconds before I stopped her (out of concern for my health). I did not use anything to cover my finger, because I didn't even consider that something could happen this way.
- She came back home with me a few days ago and I used my finger on her and the next morning we had protected sex. I don't remember if I cut my nails before or after this experience but, again, there was nothing protecting my finger this time either.
NOW: I have a numbness at the tip of my middle finger and a very faint and very small red mark. It looks as though there may be a TINY dark perforation at the finger tip, like what you'd see from a bug bite or un-removed remnants of a splinter. This is the only finger I put inside of her. I felt a scratchy throat the next morning (before we had sex, after I had used my finger the night before). I thought the throat was maybe a result of seasonal allergies as the weather has been fluctuating rapidly lately (rain, overcast, intense heat, nice days all in the same week). I then developed sinus pressure and a head cold with congestion. I have taken my temperature about 10 times in the past 3-4 days and have not been higher than 99.1, usually somewhere around 98.0. In checking my throat earlier today, I noticed a couple of very small white spots on my right tonsil, but the left is fine. It doesn't seem excessively red either, and the soreness has subsided somewhat.
At first I thought there's no way this could be HSV, as I have no marks on my genitals, no cold sores and no fever. Now I'm starting to think that there's at least a possibility that this is Herpetic whitlow, because my finger itchiness/numbness has started to become noticeable. Again, there's nothing that anyone would notice on my finger (yet) without being told where to look and even then they'd have to squint to find something. I just know what I feel, and notice it even when I'm not trying to.
What should my approach be here? Do I wait to see if the finger heals or try to nip this in the bud right away before it gets worse? Also: is it possible to spread Herpetic whitlow through the mouth or genitals like HSV 1 or 2?
Appreciate any and all advice.
- We first started kissing only for the first 3 times we were together. I wanted to go out with her a few times before things got more intimate, just to make sure I still had feelings. I'm sure this puts me at risk for HSV 1 which I'm not too concerned about.
- She came back home with me a few weeks ago but I didn't want to have sex. I wasn't ready to go forward with it yet, both out of emotional reluctance and also precaution. I did use my finger on her a few times and she went down on me unprotected for a few seconds before I stopped her (out of concern for my health). I did not use anything to cover my finger, because I didn't even consider that something could happen this way.
- She came back home with me a few days ago and I used my finger on her and the next morning we had protected sex. I don't remember if I cut my nails before or after this experience but, again, there was nothing protecting my finger this time either.
NOW: I have a numbness at the tip of my middle finger and a very faint and very small red mark. It looks as though there may be a TINY dark perforation at the finger tip, like what you'd see from a bug bite or un-removed remnants of a splinter. This is the only finger I put inside of her. I felt a scratchy throat the next morning (before we had sex, after I had used my finger the night before). I thought the throat was maybe a result of seasonal allergies as the weather has been fluctuating rapidly lately (rain, overcast, intense heat, nice days all in the same week). I then developed sinus pressure and a head cold with congestion. I have taken my temperature about 10 times in the past 3-4 days and have not been higher than 99.1, usually somewhere around 98.0. In checking my throat earlier today, I noticed a couple of very small white spots on my right tonsil, but the left is fine. It doesn't seem excessively red either, and the soreness has subsided somewhat.
At first I thought there's no way this could be HSV, as I have no marks on my genitals, no cold sores and no fever. Now I'm starting to think that there's at least a possibility that this is Herpetic whitlow, because my finger itchiness/numbness has started to become noticeable. Again, there's nothing that anyone would notice on my finger (yet) without being told where to look and even then they'd have to squint to find something. I just know what I feel, and notice it even when I'm not trying to.
What should my approach be here? Do I wait to see if the finger heals or try to nip this in the bud right away before it gets worse? Also: is it possible to spread Herpetic whitlow through the mouth or genitals like HSV 1 or 2?
Appreciate any and all advice.
Hi Grace,
Thanks for the information earlier. I have another question regarding the same issue:
The tiny, pin-sized spot on my finger never went away but the redness subsided as did the tingling/itchiness for the next two weeks. Last night I noticed what looks like a whitish blister around the red spot. It feels slightly numb but not painful, sore or anything like that. I have been somewhat sick over the past few weeks, but nothing severe like fever. I've had mostly post nasal drip symptoms - sore throat, congestion, occasional sinus headaches.
I did ask a doctor back when I originally submitted this question, but he was not familiar with the condition, looked at the red dot and said it looks like I just cut my finger. I told him why I was concerned (I put this finger inside of a girl with herpes) but he said it can only be transmitted through mucous membranes, and whitlow is typically around the fingernail, not fingertip.
So my questions are: could this still possibly be herpetic whitlow?
why hasn't this gone away?
is it possible to get herpetic whitlow without feeling much pain?
and again, is it possible to transmit herpes sexually if I do have it in my finger?
Thanks for the information earlier. I have another question regarding the same issue:
The tiny, pin-sized spot on my finger never went away but the redness subsided as did the tingling/itchiness for the next two weeks. Last night I noticed what looks like a whitish blister around the red spot. It feels slightly numb but not painful, sore or anything like that. I have been somewhat sick over the past few weeks, but nothing severe like fever. I've had mostly post nasal drip symptoms - sore throat, congestion, occasional sinus headaches.
I did ask a doctor back when I originally submitted this question, but he was not familiar with the condition, looked at the red dot and said it looks like I just cut my finger. I told him why I was concerned (I put this finger inside of a girl with herpes) but he said it can only be transmitted through mucous membranes, and whitlow is typically around the fingernail, not fingertip.
So my questions are: could this still possibly be herpetic whitlow?
why hasn't this gone away?
is it possible to get herpetic whitlow without feeling much pain?
and again, is it possible to transmit herpes sexually if I do have it in my finger?
we don't look at pictures here regardless of body parts. we explain this in our read before posting post.
from others who have had whitlow, it hurts like a s.o.b.
from others who have had whitlow, it hurts like a s.o.b.
I have an appointment with a doctor next week and will consult with him on this.
For my peace of mind, would you take a look at this picture I took of the finger/bruise and let me know what you think: http://imgur.com/5MorVHw
I agree my symptoms are likely not genital or oral herpes but can you rule out herpetic whitlow? The red mark has become more noticeable and I'm concerned it will continue getting worse.
For my peace of mind, would you take a look at this picture I took of the finger/bruise and let me know what you think: http://imgur.com/5MorVHw
I agree my symptoms are likely not genital or oral herpes but can you rule out herpetic whitlow? The red mark has become more noticeable and I'm concerned it will continue getting worse.
this really doesn't sound like herpes. see your provider if you are concerned.
grace
grace
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