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Question about possible genital herpes
I was in a monogamous relationship for several years (5) with someone who was a virgin. Before that, I hadn't had sex with anyone for about two years previous. Recently (feb) my relationship ended and i started seeing someone new (back in late July). We had sex for the first time August 8th--unprotected. The following week, we had sex again and I began noticing peculiar symptoms (itching on the right side of my vagina.) it went away before I saw my GYNO but I went anyway and was tested for chlamydia and other superficial STDs/STIs. Herpes was not one of them. I was dx'd with bacterial vaginosis which I'm no stranger to; even a change in soap can set it off. Anyway, symptoms of itching dissipated entirely. Fast forward to this past Thursday. I found a few bumps in the area that was itching. Not blisters--flesh colored bumps. They don't burn or hurt but just barely itch once in a while and haven't changed in appearance. I thought genital warts so I did the vinegar test and they did turn white. However, today I am experiencing very mild leg pain in my right leg--mostly calf but a little thigh action too (the side everything is on). It's not "Hurt to the touch" pain but more just slightly sore muscle pain that happens quickly then goes away. A little in my left as well, but not like in the right. Naturally, I've done my research and find that this can be common in genital herpes but to what extent? Does this sound like herpes? Will herpes also turn white with vinegar? i can deal with GW, but GH--uh, i dunnnno. I see a doctor soon.
Actually, now that I think about it--maybe I didn't do oral on him every time. I don't think I did the first and last time. However, August 13, 20 & the 28 are questionable....
Not 100% sure
Not 100% sure
Yes, oral took place every time on both our parts. This might sound like a dumb question, but if the person I last was with is probably the person who gave it to me, why wouldn't I have gotten it in my mouth too since oral was always involved? Also, I'm wondering if It happened more around the sept 1st mark which is the last time we had sex as opposed to the times in Aug. I too, suspect it was him...but then again, who knows? I'm having a major episode of "guilty conscience" at the moment. I have yet to say anything to him about it but have spent time with him recently in a platonic way. I just don't feel like saying anything until I know for sure what it is.
Just to answer your questions:
1. The only real way to get some evidence of a recent infection is a positive swab with a negative blood test as it would be too early to detect the antibodies your body commences producing. It is more than likely now that given the sexual episode in question is about 7 weeks ago that if you have herpes then your bloods will be positive. Definitely get tested, IgG antibody type specific for HSV1 and HSV2.
All up, if this proves to be herpes then it is highly likely that it is this partner. Knowing your type is important. Was oral sex involved here? If so then perhaps he has an oral HSV1 that has transferred to your genitals as an example.
2. If you are negative for everything but symptoms continue, then ask the partner to test. A potential STD is usually concern enough to send them to the doctor for appropriate testing.
There is of course speculation as to whether the symptoms are or are not herpes but I feel it is best to let the testing tell you what you have.
1. The only real way to get some evidence of a recent infection is a positive swab with a negative blood test as it would be too early to detect the antibodies your body commences producing. It is more than likely now that given the sexual episode in question is about 7 weeks ago that if you have herpes then your bloods will be positive. Definitely get tested, IgG antibody type specific for HSV1 and HSV2.
All up, if this proves to be herpes then it is highly likely that it is this partner. Knowing your type is important. Was oral sex involved here? If so then perhaps he has an oral HSV1 that has transferred to your genitals as an example.
2. If you are negative for everything but symptoms continue, then ask the partner to test. A potential STD is usually concern enough to send them to the doctor for appropriate testing.
There is of course speculation as to whether the symptoms are or are not herpes but I feel it is best to let the testing tell you what you have.
So, what I had has taken the form of blisters at this point. I get my results back tomorrow morning, however, I don't need them to know the truth. I will get them anyway though. I'm thinking the test might come out negative as it was a swab test and the timing was off. Not to mention, I had my doc swab an area that was tingling but has yet to have any blisters or lesions. At the time, it was the only area I was having that sensation in. Not so much now as it's kind of....everywhere down there.
Now that this is all happening, I have a few questions I'd like to ask anyone who is willing to answer. Those questions begin with 1) is there any way to tell how recent this infection is? I'm not sure if I got it from the guy I was recently seeing (although that's when it all started) or from someone else in the past (seems unlikely, but its always possible.) If there is a way, what should I ask my doctor regarding this? 2) is there anything else I should ask her that any of you think might be important having dealt with this issue?
Thanks in advance.
Now that this is all happening, I have a few questions I'd like to ask anyone who is willing to answer. Those questions begin with 1) is there any way to tell how recent this infection is? I'm not sure if I got it from the guy I was recently seeing (although that's when it all started) or from someone else in the past (seems unlikely, but its always possible.) If there is a way, what should I ask my doctor regarding this? 2) is there anything else I should ask her that any of you think might be important having dealt with this issue?
Thanks in advance.
You know, I've been thinking--I'm still not convinced that this is a lock down dx that I recieved about the GW. While I'm sure I do have that, I feel there is more going on due to ongoing symptoms that don't seem to only fit with GW. The tingling, the slightly stabbing pain in my vaginal area as well as my right leg and booty cheeks. It would be devastating to receive a dx of both GW and GH. But I've decided to go back to the doctor. I feel like my exam wasn't thorough as it was just a vinegar test and then a "yep, these are warts" kinda thing, despite my mentioned concern about GH. Is it possible to have these symptoms and actually never have a blister? I don't have any, however the symptoms remain. Of course, there's always the chance I had GH and never knew or had an actual OB (since never in my life have I noticed anything there, and I'm pretty in touch with that part of my body so to speak.) I'm thinking there's more to this story. Ugh!
Yeah, she said they were. She said that there's no way to know who I got it from and all of that but that my body will most clear the virus within a fee months to a year.
So here's the scoop:
Went to my GYNO. She was having difficulty seeing anything at all, actually. I had to point everything out to her and she did the vinegar test and said they were warts. Too tiny to see without the solution for her. She said they were small enough to ignore for now and that they'll most likely go away on their own. If not, i should come back an have them removed...and in the meantime, not to freak out. She goes "have you seen what herpes looks like?!" I said that I had but that I felt Google always gives the worst possible case scenario. She said not with herpes, "all those pictures are exactly what they look like" is what she told me. However, my next appointment in in Feb and I plan to get blood work done to test for herpes, not because I think I have it at this point, but because its always better to be safe. Unprotected sex? Pft! Never again. Thanks, Life360 for your response.
Went to my GYNO. She was having difficulty seeing anything at all, actually. I had to point everything out to her and she did the vinegar test and said they were warts. Too tiny to see without the solution for her. She said they were small enough to ignore for now and that they'll most likely go away on their own. If not, i should come back an have them removed...and in the meantime, not to freak out. She goes "have you seen what herpes looks like?!" I said that I had but that I felt Google always gives the worst possible case scenario. She said not with herpes, "all those pictures are exactly what they look like" is what she told me. However, my next appointment in in Feb and I plan to get blood work done to test for herpes, not because I think I have it at this point, but because its always better to be safe. Unprotected sex? Pft! Never again. Thanks, Life360 for your response.
Also, these bumps are absolutely not open. No blisters or oozing or anything like that. They look like....hmmm....what DO they look like? Like a hive maybe? Same color as the rest of my skin but slightly raised. They don't even really itch at this point.
Oh, it burned. But it wasn't an unbearable burn. Very mild. But they lit up white within less than a minute. They still look exactly the same as they did when they first popped up Thursday morning. But I'm going to my GYNO later today so Hopefully ill get good news. In the meantime, I'm stress, stress, stressin'! Thanks for your feedback.
Hi, if you put vinegar on a herpes sore it will burn as its a open wound and your leg symptoms dont appear herpes related. Prodrome symptoms would normally be a tingling and also prodrome is more for those who already had an outbreak in the past, Symptoms of hsv in the genitals (many go unnoticed) would be a fever and body aches as the immune system is mounting a defense against.
The only way to confirm is a swab of a newly acquired sore or a blood test 3 months post exposure.
The only way to confirm is a swab of a newly acquired sore or a blood test 3 months post exposure.
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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.
