Aa
Does this sound like herpes
Let me start by saying I have been with the same man for 25 years. Last year I had an enouncter with of all people my girlfriend. We kissed and she performed oral sex on me. I know it was not planned somethng that just happened. A few days after the encounter I did not feel normal downstairs. I felt a little raw and irritated. I kind of brushed it off but then started thinking what could I have picked up. It got worse before it got better red irritated never saw any bumps or lessions. I went to a clinic where they just looked at it and it this was about 5 weeks after the encounter. I asked my girlfriend about std's and she said she was clean she did get some testing done to find out she is hsv 1 & 2 positive. I never performed oral on her. I also had like a little cut on my lip. I finally decided to get tested myself some 7/8 weeks after our encounter and my HSV IgG test came back negative. I still had some strange feelings in my lower extremeties all on the right side (thigh,buttocks, lower back and vaginal area) it felt strange hard to describe maybe burning/numbing. Anyway I stopped having sex with my husband made every excuse in the world we did have it a few times and then about 5 months ago I had something break out on my lip.line/lip. It tingled was sore and I finally popped it and what looked like puss came out. Now everyday since then I have had a strange feeling there in the exact same spot. I went to see a dermaologist after this thing poppoed up but of course I could not get in there until three weeks after this thing showed up. I showed him a picture and he felt it did not look like herpes but could not tell. I asked my doctor to do another IgG this was about one year after my encounter with my girlfriend and probably 14 weeks or so after this other sore popped up. These test came back negative as well for both HSV 1 & 2.
Dr's other than the derm do not seem knowledgable about herpes and the derm said he never makes a diagnoisis without seeing a true lession,. He felt the blood test are only somewhat accurate. I do not know my husbands status and the lack of sex is creating a huge strain in our marriage.
Questions:
1. How accurate is a blood test 7/8 weeks post exposure then the second test 1 year from first exposure and then 14 weeks from last sexual exchange when thing on lip appeared.
2. What could cause the weird feelings. I only had a little spot there once again about 1/2 inch from the first spots it was so tiny and there was only one. This was about 1 week ago.
3. Does any of this sound herpetic?
4. Derm thought it could be a clogged hair follicule. Does that sound possible?
5. Do you think I have herpes? In my life, I never remember having a coldsore or any other feeling like this. Could this be anxiety but for months?
I am so confused and feel very guilty
Dr's other than the derm do not seem knowledgable about herpes and the derm said he never makes a diagnoisis without seeing a true lession,. He felt the blood test are only somewhat accurate. I do not know my husbands status and the lack of sex is creating a huge strain in our marriage.
Questions:
1. How accurate is a blood test 7/8 weeks post exposure then the second test 1 year from first exposure and then 14 weeks from last sexual exchange when thing on lip appeared.
2. What could cause the weird feelings. I only had a little spot there once again about 1/2 inch from the first spots it was so tiny and there was only one. This was about 1 week ago.
3. Does any of this sound herpetic?
4. Derm thought it could be a clogged hair follicule. Does that sound possible?
5. Do you think I have herpes? In my life, I never remember having a coldsore or any other feeling like this. Could this be anxiety but for months?
I am so confused and feel very guilty
Grace and Jessy,
Thank you for your comments. I was able to schedule an appointment today with a nuerologist. I will keep the forum updated just incase this turns out not to be herpes and others who may have similar symptoms.
I am still very worried. I may even take a western blot between now and the appointment in three weeks. I saw where people have become phone patients of Terri's. That might be my best option since my PCP said no more testing.
Are there any studies on how often people who have active lessions never produce a detectable level of antibodies. I think I read somewhere on an old thread that Terri said she had 3 or 4 patients that she is aware of in her 30 year career. I also saw that aborted outbreaks may happen but are rare that would make sense that my feelings are more PHN becasue I can not imagine having an aborted OB everyday.
Jessy I saw your answer about the swabbing. I did some more searching last night. I read with shedding it can be possible the trick seems when is that occuring and it is a crap shoot. I do not think I can afford to do that.
Thanks again for the responses I appreciate your time. I am feeling confused, I have these symptoms and I am so mad at myself. I am having a hard time focusing on anything else.
Thank you for your comments. I was able to schedule an appointment today with a nuerologist. I will keep the forum updated just incase this turns out not to be herpes and others who may have similar symptoms.
I am still very worried. I may even take a western blot between now and the appointment in three weeks. I saw where people have become phone patients of Terri's. That might be my best option since my PCP said no more testing.
Are there any studies on how often people who have active lessions never produce a detectable level of antibodies. I think I read somewhere on an old thread that Terri said she had 3 or 4 patients that she is aware of in her 30 year career. I also saw that aborted outbreaks may happen but are rare that would make sense that my feelings are more PHN becasue I can not imagine having an aborted OB everyday.
Jessy I saw your answer about the swabbing. I did some more searching last night. I read with shedding it can be possible the trick seems when is that occuring and it is a crap shoot. I do not think I can afford to do that.
Thanks again for the responses I appreciate your time. I am feeling confused, I have these symptoms and I am so mad at myself. I am having a hard time focusing on anything else.
many things besides herpes that can cause us issues. If you aren't happy with your regular doctor's work up at this point, consulting a neurologist would be the next step. You've tested negative for herpes. odds are this is something else going on.
why not get hubby tested to see what his status is too?
why not get hubby tested to see what his status is too?
Hi
I don't think you have oral herpes either. I have oral herpes (had it since childhood). I hope my answers help.
You asked, "Can they culture or do a swab test on an area of skin that does not have any apparant lessions?"
The answer is no.
I noticed you ask this question twice:
"Do all herpes outbreaks become blisters then lessions ?"
Yes. Thats the very defenition of an out break. They start off feeling like a pimple, or
numb that "im going to get a pimple here" feeling, but then they break out into blisters.
Three or more days later its a lession and sometimes it chaps and bleeds --called a
lesion.
Finally, you asked if taking a WB for herpes is worth taking. The question is would you believe the results. A WB at one year is conclusive.
I don't think you have oral herpes either. I have oral herpes (had it since childhood). I hope my answers help.
You asked, "Can they culture or do a swab test on an area of skin that does not have any apparant lessions?"
The answer is no.
I noticed you ask this question twice:
"Do all herpes outbreaks become blisters then lessions ?"
Yes. Thats the very defenition of an out break. They start off feeling like a pimple, or
numb that "im going to get a pimple here" feeling, but then they break out into blisters.
Three or more days later its a lession and sometimes it chaps and bleeds --called a
lesion.
Finally, you asked if taking a WB for herpes is worth taking. The question is would you believe the results. A WB at one year is conclusive.
Grace,
I spoke with my PCP with regards to why I keep having this feeling especially on my lip where this sore was 5 months ago. She liek you does not think I have herpes because of the test. I knwo from what I read here that if these test could miss anything it is HSV1. I found a study by a nuerologist who talks about PHN with HSV1 (in his study he called it HST1 which I assumed was herpes simplex type 1).
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8R-4C88V68-8&_user=10&_coverDate=07%2F31%2F1992&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_origin=browse&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=c59e969b1c4cfdbe03f19f46c0ec7149
I am guessing this may line up with PHN exactly the sensitive feeling is in the exact same spot as the sore was. I remember this thing tingling but it also had puss in it. I know there is a caveat here.....which is I have never tested positive for HSV. I really wish I had that thing swabbed or cultured.
Have you ever heard of a pimple causing nerve damage or getting nerve damage that was caused from squeezing it to hard. The other thing is this feeling (sensitivity) comes and goes and can be really intense at times where it feels numb and other times it feels normal. Would that be consistant with neuralgia. I have read a lot of threads here under Dr HHH, Terri and this site as well as doing a google search and I have only seen people with the same pain as myself with herpes not with a pimple.
I am struggling with this and I am terrified to give my husband herpes. I may need to change PCP because my doctor does nto want to run anymore test and thinks I am over reacting. I really want to know one way or another. If I did not have these stange sensations I coudl move on. I really do not knwo what to do anymore at this point. Would a western blot even be worth taking. Isn't that usually when the test results are questionable or inconclusive? Where mine have all been negative.
Thank you for listening.
I spoke with my PCP with regards to why I keep having this feeling especially on my lip where this sore was 5 months ago. She liek you does not think I have herpes because of the test. I knwo from what I read here that if these test could miss anything it is HSV1. I found a study by a nuerologist who talks about PHN with HSV1 (in his study he called it HST1 which I assumed was herpes simplex type 1).
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T8R-4C88V68-8&_user=10&_coverDate=07%2F31%2F1992&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_origin=browse&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=c59e969b1c4cfdbe03f19f46c0ec7149
I am guessing this may line up with PHN exactly the sensitive feeling is in the exact same spot as the sore was. I remember this thing tingling but it also had puss in it. I know there is a caveat here.....which is I have never tested positive for HSV. I really wish I had that thing swabbed or cultured.
Have you ever heard of a pimple causing nerve damage or getting nerve damage that was caused from squeezing it to hard. The other thing is this feeling (sensitivity) comes and goes and can be really intense at times where it feels numb and other times it feels normal. Would that be consistant with neuralgia. I have read a lot of threads here under Dr HHH, Terri and this site as well as doing a google search and I have only seen people with the same pain as myself with herpes not with a pimple.
I am struggling with this and I am terrified to give my husband herpes. I may need to change PCP because my doctor does nto want to run anymore test and thinks I am over reacting. I really want to know one way or another. If I did not have these stange sensations I coudl move on. I really do not knwo what to do anymore at this point. Would a western blot even be worth taking. Isn't that usually when the test results are questionable or inconclusive? Where mine have all been negative.
Thank you for listening.
is there such a thing as postherpetic nueralgia or is this only with shingles. My lip feels weird like numb this has been like this for months and my privates still get weird sensations all on my right side. I wish I knew one way or another. I feel like there is such a grey area and I still get thes symptoms. I wish that night never happened.
this isn't likely to be herpes with 2 negative tests. you've also ruled out other std's even though they were low risk to begin with. whatever is going on, it's not likely to be std related or anything to worry about transmitting to your husband. If you want, err on the side of caution and use condoms but also make sure you are using lube so you don't irritate any already irritated skin more.
Thank you for your reply. they did test for the usual, UTI, BV, yeast. Everything came back normal no WBC, no blood, no nothing. HIV was also negative which I understand with this exposure is almost zero risk. This has been so out of my norm. I have lived a very sheltered sex life. I really never had any other partners other than my husband.
Not sure if you saw my other questions. Can they culture or do a swab test on an area of skin that does not have any apparant lessions? Do all herpes sores blister and then become lessions? I have read about aborted OB? Can this happen everyday or at least on a regular basis? I am just so confused. Are there doctors that are herpes specialist and I mean just herpes specialist. I went to a clinic originally because I was embarassed to go to my own doctor and I figured the clinic probably sees more of this than anyone.
When you said "No reason not to have sex with my husband" is that because I could have already infected him or based on my test you think I am negative meaning not infected with herpes. Over the years I have been prone to UTI's usually 1 or 2 a year.
I think I am reading too much information and I am on information overload. I am probably reading more into all of this than I should. Thanks for the help some of the other resources I have connected with don't seem as reliable or as knowledgable.
Not sure if you saw my other questions. Can they culture or do a swab test on an area of skin that does not have any apparant lessions? Do all herpes sores blister and then become lessions? I have read about aborted OB? Can this happen everyday or at least on a regular basis? I am just so confused. Are there doctors that are herpes specialist and I mean just herpes specialist. I went to a clinic originally because I was embarassed to go to my own doctor and I figured the clinic probably sees more of this than anyone.
When you said "No reason not to have sex with my husband" is that because I could have already infected him or based on my test you think I am negative meaning not infected with herpes. Over the years I have been prone to UTI's usually 1 or 2 a year.
I think I am reading too much information and I am on information overload. I am probably reading more into all of this than I should. Thanks for the help some of the other resources I have connected with don't seem as reliable or as knowledgable.
you've been seen and the provider didn't feel it was oral herpes. also you don't get pus out of herpes lesions. you had 2 negative tests now for herpes. the blood tests aren't as accurate for hsv1 as they are hsv2 but having 2 negative hsv1 tests makes it likely that you don't have hsv1.
don't confuse guilt with risk. the risk of a std from oral sex is very low. did they test you for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally at all with any of your appointments?
no reason not to have sex with your husband at this point.
grace
grace
don't confuse guilt with risk. the risk of a std from oral sex is very low. did they test you for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally at all with any of your appointments?
no reason not to have sex with your husband at this point.
grace
grace
I posted a picture to an online nurse in another forum at least she said she was a nurse and she wrote back saying it looked like herpes this was the same picture I showed the derm.
This pimple/sore never crusted or scabbed with a hard scab the skin just shed. The reason I am on edge/freaking out is that this spot on my lip is very numb today it is actually in the corners and I can not handle not getting a true diagnosis one way or the other.
Do all herpes outbreaks become blisters then lessions ?
I am planning on calling my GP again tomorrow to ask for further guidance/help. Can they culture something that is not a true lesion. Can they biopsy skin and test for something?
This pimple/sore never crusted or scabbed with a hard scab the skin just shed. The reason I am on edge/freaking out is that this spot on my lip is very numb today it is actually in the corners and I can not handle not getting a true diagnosis one way or the other.
Do all herpes outbreaks become blisters then lessions ?
I am planning on calling my GP again tomorrow to ask for further guidance/help. Can they culture something that is not a true lesion. Can they biopsy skin and test for something?
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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.
