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Genital Herpes Confusion
12 days following unprotected sex with a female (for which I feel very guilty) I discovered a small red bump under my foreskin that did not hurt. The bump went away in 2 days, yet I noticed a burning involving my scrotum which was diffusely red. The tip of my penis started to hurt and a week after the first bump, 19 days after the encounter, a cluster of 6-10 red bumps suddenly came up unilaterally under my foreskin, within the area of the first. I started acyclovir for a week. The bumps never hurt and went away within 3-5 days. They never turned into vesicles or ulcers. There were no swollen lymph nodes, fewer or anything else. With the bumps going away all burning subsided.
About 10 days after the end of this episode, it started again. A small red bump at the same side of my foreskin that went away in 2 days, then burning of my scrotum with redness (at this point I took acyclovir for 2 days), then onset of burning involving my buttocks and thighs, bilateral, symmetric and associated with some area of mild erythema but no definite lesions. Days later, the tip of my penis re-started to hurt (I started to take acyclovir for another 2 days). The foreskin showed some small areas of redness, was slightly oedematous but no bumps turned up. This second episode lasted for about 2 weeks and was more severe. When symptoms subsided, I still had occasional sore feelings in the areas described for another week.
At the end of the episode, I saw a doctor. He doubts herpes based on the fact that 1. the initial lesions did not hurt, 2. went away in 3-5 days and that 3. the recurrence of symptoms was so early. He attributed all my symptoms to my emotional state. A full panel STD test, including a Herpselect came back negative (6.5 weeks post encounter).
I am confused.
1. Is there any chance that my symptoms might be due to something else?
2. What is the prognosis for future events after a presumed first and more severe recurrence after only 10 days?
Thanks so much.
About 10 days after the end of this episode, it started again. A small red bump at the same side of my foreskin that went away in 2 days, then burning of my scrotum with redness (at this point I took acyclovir for 2 days), then onset of burning involving my buttocks and thighs, bilateral, symmetric and associated with some area of mild erythema but no definite lesions. Days later, the tip of my penis re-started to hurt (I started to take acyclovir for another 2 days). The foreskin showed some small areas of redness, was slightly oedematous but no bumps turned up. This second episode lasted for about 2 weeks and was more severe. When symptoms subsided, I still had occasional sore feelings in the areas described for another week.
At the end of the episode, I saw a doctor. He doubts herpes based on the fact that 1. the initial lesions did not hurt, 2. went away in 3-5 days and that 3. the recurrence of symptoms was so early. He attributed all my symptoms to my emotional state. A full panel STD test, including a Herpselect came back negative (6.5 weeks post encounter).
I am confused.
1. Is there any chance that my symptoms might be due to something else?
2. What is the prognosis for future events after a presumed first and more severe recurrence after only 10 days?
Thanks so much.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Good, you didn't take the medicine long enough or in volumes enough to interfere with the accuracy of the testing.
with 70% certainty, you don't have HSV. that's good!
You can test again, but I wouldn't do it any sooner than about 10 weeks, if that would give you comfort. But the test isn't reliable until 4 months post encounter.
Terri
with 70% certainty, you don't have HSV. that's good!
You can test again, but I wouldn't do it any sooner than about 10 weeks, if that would give you comfort. But the test isn't reliable until 4 months post encounter.
Terri
Thank you so much Terry!!!
1. I took the aciclovir first 7 days (3 x 400 mg) when I noticed the cluster of red bumps, then valaciclovir (2 x 500 mg) during what I thought was the second outbreak for a total 4 days.
2. No when I saw the clinician it was mostly over, except some mild erythema at my buttocks.
3. I never had a sore and the test (6.5 weeks post exposure) was negative for both HSV1 and 2.
I am scared. What do you think is going on. When should I test again. I cannot wait 4 months....
1. I took the aciclovir first 7 days (3 x 400 mg) when I noticed the cluster of red bumps, then valaciclovir (2 x 500 mg) during what I thought was the second outbreak for a total 4 days.
2. No when I saw the clinician it was mostly over, except some mild erythema at my buttocks.
3. I never had a sore and the test (6.5 weeks post exposure) was negative for both HSV1 and 2.
I am scared. What do you think is going on. When should I test again. I cannot wait 4 months....
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I understand why you are concerned about the bumps. They are somewhat worrisome. To clarify:
1) how many days did you take acyclovir in total before the test was done?
2) Were you able to see a clinician on a day that you had a lesions?
3) do you know your HSV 1 and HSV 2 status, or only your HSV 2 status?
3) related, have you ever had a cold sore in your lifetime?
Your answers will help me help you most accurately.
Terri
1) how many days did you take acyclovir in total before the test was done?
2) Were you able to see a clinician on a day that you had a lesions?
3) do you know your HSV 1 and HSV 2 status, or only your HSV 2 status?
3) related, have you ever had a cold sore in your lifetime?
Your answers will help me help you most accurately.
Terri
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
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.
