Herpes vs UTI vs Yeast

[bdak]

I am waiting to hear back in a few days on a herpes test, and I know no use speculating too much in meantime, but I can't help it.

Recently (last month and a half) first time starting having sex with monogamous boyfriend without a condom on the birth control pill. I made him get tested right before and we both mistakingly and idiotically thought that covered all STDs, but he just asked (after I exhibited symptoms) and it does not cover herpes.

He never showed any symptoms / sores and the last time he had sex without condoms with someone was 10 years ago. I know it can remain dormant, and can only kick ourselves for not getting it tested.

Question on symptoms, I know I'm torturing myself before the results come out. I was first diagnosed for UTI, but the dr. missed the one blister I think I may have had when I went to see him.

- Now, 3-4 days later, I have around 8-9 blister-like objects that don't hurt and are whitish around the vagina lips.
- I have burning on urination
- my middle/lower back does hurt (but this could just be unrelated).
- I do feel need to urinate but I have always felt a little more that way not sure I notice too much out of ordinary. Little urine does come out, which is consistent with UTI.
- There is some yellow cottage-cheese like substance but also white/yellowish watery/jellylike discharge, esp first few days.
- The dr. detected high bacteria levels the first time I went to see him, which is why he diagnosed UTI
- Importantly, I have been taking antibiotics for UTI and the Mono 7 medication for yeast since a few days ago and not better, in fact, definitely blisters have multipled.

Is this sure sign of herpes??? I have spoken to BF and he is just as concerned as I am and is getting tested...we're kicking ourselves that we did not get it tested earlier. Had no idea it was excluded from a regular STD test.

Blisters, however, are not typically consistent with yeast and UTI, it seems.

Anyone?? I know it's a waiting game, but any info, advice at all appreciated.

[gracefromHHP]

lysine and vitamins aren't really helpful for herpes. no reason to take them from a herpes standpoint.

recurrences should be few and far between.  

odds are your partner has hsv1 orally. Most folks do have it orally and it sheds more orally than genitally so assuming it's oral isn't a bad assumption to be honest.  Most folks who have hsv1 orally, don't get obvious cold sores to know that they are infected.  

as for do you also have hsv1 orally, as Petal said, unless you get obvious cold sores, no easy way to know. From what few studies we do have on it, anywhere from 1/4 - 2/3's of folks who contract hsv1 genitally also have it orally. For future partners who are hsv1 negative, discuss together if it's worthwhile to have protected oral sex just in case you do have it orally too.

grace

[bdak]

Thanks again for info. This whole week was definitely still a shock but I'm glad to have found info and advice through this forum.
Should I look into taking lysine or other multivitamins given my condition? i.e. knew it is helpful to reduce recurrences but should I look into more supplements for genital hsv1, if I don't know yet what recurrences will be like?

For my partner, let's be honest, we won't be together forever...for his sake (and think I'm being a little generous considering he got me into this in the first place - I asked him to do an STD test, he did and was not aware it did not cover herpes...), wondering if he does not show symptoms he can ever reliably really find out if he has genital or oral. Does anyone have experience/heard of this?

[petal130]

Correct - most likely you did not have HSV1 prior to this.

Blood tests just tell you your herpes status, it can't tell you the location - only a swab/culture of symptoms can do that. You know you have it genitally, and unless you have oral symptoms will you know if you have it  there as well. I don't give it a second thought myself, quite honestly.

As to you and your partner, once he knows his status will you know if you have to take precautions. But, assuming he does have HSV1, no need to do anything different, just avoid sexual contact during an outbreak.

[bdak]

I meant " I probably would have had protection against acquiring it genitally."--not genetically. Sorry for confusing typo.

[bdak]

Thanks so much for responses and help. For #4, I was referring to the fact that I probably had not had oral HSV1 before this exposure as I probably would have had protection against acquiring it genetically.  Basically my question is whether I could test if I have oral HSV1 as well (or HSV2, but as you said, unlikely for the latter). Can I test for it with a blood test or would it not be able to tell me if I also have oral HSV1 given genital HSV1? Reason being that I'd like to know at one point in future relationships I should bring up - before kissing or okay before sex? I have no oral symptoms or cold sores whatsoever.

I also had a question regarding my bf. His blood test results are due next week, but presumably he has HSV1. If he has no symptoms and don't remember ever having any, genital or oral, how does he know when to abstain from sex etc? How does he even know which one he has and what to warn people about? Assuming I caught it from him, and stats, it seems more likely he has oral, but we can't be sure. Is it safe to kiss or have sex (after my primary outbreak ends).

Thanks again.

[petal130]

I've had genital HSV1 for about 2 years now. Aside from the first outbreak (which was a doozy), it's been a non-event. I've had one subsequent OB, and it was nothing compared to the first, just a few days with a couple mildly uncomfortable lesions, and I took Valtrex as soon as it started and that nipped it in the bud. I've not had one since then (which was about a year ago). Statistically, you'll have one or two the first year, and maybe one every or every other year after. And, the virus hardly sheds compared to genital HSV2.

As to question #3, not likely. If this is a subsequent OB, you almost certainly would have had a very noticeable primary OB a year ago. Your current symptoms seem more in line with a primary OB.

Unfortunately, aside from shedding statistics (you can find them in the herpes handbook on the westoverheights.com website), there are no stats for genital HSV1 transmission. If your partner already has HSV1, it gives him significant protection against getting it elsewhere. Less than 10% of all HSV1genital infections are genital to genital. It happens but hardly ever.  

I don't quite understand questions 4 ("unlikely given I didn't have antibodies") - you did not have a blood test correct? And it's a moot point - you know you have HSV1 from the swab/culture. The only way to test by location is by a swab/culture of symptoms. A blood test only tells you if you have it, not where the location is. Many folks acquire both oral and genital HSV1 at the same time, just out of the mere fact that we tend to kiss during sex. No reason to think you have oral HSV2  - it's uncommon (only about 3% of all oral herpes) and you'd have had to perform oral sex on someone who has genital HSV2.

[bdak]

Hi all,
I wanted to update you on the status. I just found out 10 mins ago that I am positive for Type 1 (genital).

1. As my understanding goes, it is the most positive of the bad news I expected to receive. I have read that chances are fewer recurrences (if any in first year and maybe every other year otherwise? Does anyone know what the approx. range is of different people?)

2. I also seem to be less likely to spread to someone else as a. it's not at site where it's more easily spread, b. 50% people may have had antibodies for it already, c. it's less likely to recur and thus increase risk. Also I'm female so chances are lower for transmission as well. Does ~1% seem right (given i abstain during outbreaks and look out for signs and use condoms)...?? Wondering how to phrase future conversations.

3. How likely is it that my first boyfriend, who did give me oral sex, gave it to me >1 yr ago and I JUST exhibited the "first outbreak" or what appears to be that? I think highly unlikely given timing (aligns well with current bf, etc.). Just wondering, however.

4. Anything else I should be aware of?? Could I ask doctor if I should get tested for oral anything? It seems like I did not have type 1 oral (unlikely given Ididnt have antibodies) but maybe I do..or type 2.

Thank you so much.

[gracefromHHP]

You need to drink lots. it will keep your urine ph less acidic so that it burns less flowing over the lesions.  

if you can physically cover your  lesions when you urinate, do so. Put your hand in a sandwich baggie so you aren't peeing on your hand.  

dermoplast spray ( the blue can for the genital area, not the red can ) is really helpful. it's a topical anesthetic you spray on for pain relief.  

[bdak]

Hi,
No update yet - results tomorrow.
So it still hurts terribly when I urinate, even worse than before given I'm on Valtrex. The doctor I spoke to today said he'd put me on something else tomorrow if it's still terrible (the pain has gotten worse) and the test result is positive.

It looks like the blisters have become reddish, they still don't really hurt but something must be hurting because it hurts when I urinate. They don't seem to be bleeding (no blood seen yet). What stage is this? I read about ulcers and lesions but I don't know what this is classified as.

What relief can I seek? I've been avoiding liquids because of the terrible burning, bad idea.
Thanks...

[SlippedRebel]

I am in your same exact boat. I am petrified. My IGG came back negative for both HSV 1 & 2, but i havent received my culture results yet. The doctor also said that it is herpes. I am scared  because I was using protection each time. I am also in my early 20s, and very, very scared for my future. Maybe we  can  offer each other support? I've been reaching out to 2 of my close friends, but they don't understand what it is im feeling whatsoever.

[bdak]

Update: I have not yet received full test results but spoke to doctor in person again today. It should come tomorrow.

Bad news: the urine test came out low for bacteria (it had tested high the first time he saw me, which is why he diagnosed UTI based on my pain while urinating). So he says it must be a virus. He said based on his physical observation of me yesterday and this result he would be very very surprised if it was NOT herpes.

The test I'm waiting on is a direct viral test, which I know can give out false negatives but will likely not give out false positives. So I have adequate expectations.

My questions are this - I know Ill find out in 24 hrs, but any info anyone can spare in meantime can help inform me:
- If I have type 1 or type 2, what does this mean I should be aware of in terms of transmission in the future? i.e. what is safe, and how safe is it? What are the approx. odds of transmission using a condom not during an outbreak?
- I've read that the chance of recurrance is lower for genital HSV1 (1/yr or so), which obviously varies - is this true?
- I've tried several hotlines to talk to someeone about this, but the two I tried did not seem to work (one off the handbook by Dr. Warren, one by googling). That's sort of depressing.

I'm confused and thrown off. I'm only in my early 20s and this is the first person I had sex with.

[gracefromHHP]

there are other causes for these symptoms but definitely ruling out herpes is the best place to start.

grace

[petal130]

If it's any consolation, my herpes lesions were extremely painful for the first 1+ week.  Don't think that's the case for everyone, but it is common with a primary outbreak. Let us know when you get your results.

[bdak]

Thanks..that's what I feared. Is there no other possible cause of the blisters (that don't hurt) - like a very coincidental irritation/allergy? Is it normal to have breast pain during as well - perhaps lymph nodes?

This waiting is terrible. I am pretty much resigned to the fact but I am holding out a tiny bit of hope..that is dangerous.

[gracefromHHP]

yes this does sound like herpes going on unfortunately. At this point your test results and his will help you figure out if it's hsv1 or hsv2 genitally. once you have more answers as to who has what, we can better help you with the what does the future hold for you. let us know your results ( and his ) once you get them.

did they give you herpes antivirals too? if not, give them a call today about it.

grace

[bdak]

Thanks. He is getting the blood test this morning.
The waiting is terrible, and I've basically convinced myself (not hard, with the symptoms) that it's that.

We've been together for only 2 months, and he was the first person I had sex (let alone without condom with). I'm withholding resentment because I don't even yet know if I (or he) has it, but it's hard.

Is it in any way possible for me to have contracted this elsewhere (i.e. if he does not have it?) See my first/second comment for my sexual history.

Also, I've tried to do reading in meantime (and have done lots), but how does this impact my sexual life in future? It seems like there is no 100% safe method not to transmit to others?

[petal130]

Well unfortunately you'll have to be patient and wait for the test results. Testing is key; I have genital HSV1 (confirmed with a swab/culture), and my GYN diagnosed me with folliculitus at first.

Good though that he did the swab. See what the results are, and if for some reason it's negative, the next best thing is for your partner to get an IgG type specific blood test (if he hasn't already). That way you don't have to wait the 3 months to test yourself. If he's negative, you know you are as well.

[bdak]

He did take a swab test and never took a blood test.
The more reading I do (and I have done extensively in the past 5 hrs ever since I found out/suspected), the more I am pretty sure I do have it.

[petal130]

Did the doctor take a swab/culture from the blisters? Hopefully so, as a blood test  - it this in fact herpes - may not give you true results (it can take up to 3 months for antibodies to be detected in a blood test).

If he did not, and you still have blisters, be seen tomorrow morning for a swab/culture.

[bdak]

Rereading my post and to provide a bit more detail:
- I was a virgin before having sex a month and half ago. I had had prior sexual contact but the only person I had had close to a genital-to-genital contact was my first (virgin) bf. No one else even went down on me. So presumbly I do not think I contracted it prior to this current bf.
- My boyfriend was not a virgin and had had much sexual experience, but had always used a condom apart from his first girlfriend 10 yrs ago.
- He had exhibited no symptoms at all associated with herpes

Symptoms:
- A few days ago, I did feel a little nauseous and feverish but wrote it off as a reaction to the antibiotics on an empty stomach.

I know, realistically, that all signs point towards herpes...and awaiting results from my doctor, but any info at all appreciated.