Herpes

[nikkibr]

Hi,
About 6 years ago I was diagnosed with GHSV1. After an unprotected oral and genital sexual encounter I had itching, swollen groin lymph nodes and a white discharge so I went to the doctor and was told I had a yeast infection I used the medication and it burned me a bit. A few days later I had sex and it burned me  and then I started having a tingling sensation so I went to the doctor and he did a blood test and said I was positive for GHSV1. I didn't then and never have had any lesions/sores/blisters/cuts in all those years and no other symptoms.

The test was HerpeSelect

HSV 1/2 IGG

It said it detected HSV1 with an EIA value of 2.56H


HSV1 2.56H
HSV2 0.11


I understand I may need to retest with a western blot.

Between all those years I haven't even had a yeast infection or tingles but about a month ago I started researching again and I felt tingles and twitches (not sure if my poor diet for about two weeks caused it because I took vitamins and they went away). No sores have appeared but this week I put in a superplus tampon anticipating my period but it didn't come but for some reason I'm having a slight burning sensation for about 3 days now.

My question is:

Is it likely to have GHSV1 for 6 years with no symptoms whatever and never have any sores?

Also do you think it is what could be causing the slight burning now or the tampons? I'm going to the doctor in a few days but just looking for some advice. Thanks.

[L_question01]

Oh wow this is te same problem I'm experiencing!  I went to the doctor to get tested for shingles when I had a recurring rash on my lower back. The doctor said it was hsv2 not shingles. Which confused me because I have never had bumps or a rash down below. But I was itching a lot down there so I got treated for a yeast and bacterial infection. Which helped  but it didnt completely go away because still throughout the day I will itch down there. So I went back to the dr had them test me for everything it could possibly be and I was negative. So then I was like well could this be an outbreak without leaions? But the doctor didn't think so because if had this itch for so long. Plus I've been on vacyclovir and before that acyclovir. So it's really crazy I got on here to ask if it was herpes too. My doctor told me as long a I'm on antivirals and don't have sex when I have leaions I can be safe to have sex with my boyfriend. So I have been. And I'm praying that this itch isn't something that's passing to him. If you ever get more info please update and I'll do the same.

[gracefromHHP]

the ER isn't a good place to go for these types of issues :(


follow up as needed with a gyn and hopefully together you can figure out what is going on. all sorts of issues can be going on like trapped nerves, sensitivities to products and many other things.

[nikkibr]

Grace,

I took the Diflucan for the non-existent yeast and nothing worked.

I was told they found BV in the culture I took the meds and the burning is still here.

I went to an ER today and they said they couldn't tell what it was. Once again they found no lesions/sign of infection. They gave me meds for a UTI.


I am still having prodome symptoms nearly now 7 weeks straight. I wonder what is going on with me because when I was first diagnosed with it 6 years ago I had prodomes for like 5 months but no sores. The virus disappeared and came back this year once again constant prodomes no sores. I'm trying to think of other things like could it be Shingles because I had chickenpox when I was younger but never got blisters eventhough ppl say the viruses are different couldn't cross react in a test. I find my situation quite odd and the medical community seems to be at a loss.

I'm feeling prodomes all over my body first it was tingles then twitches then the crawling sensation that went away and now is back. My face, scalp...whole body is itching...no allergies.


I know you can't do much since you're not a doctor but I just wanted to update you on my crazy situation and post so someone else out there might be able to benefit from it. Hopefully I'll get something clarified.

[gracefromHHP]

actually whether you get obvious lesions or not has nothing to do with the strain of herpes you have, it's your genes more than the specific strain of hsv1.

not sure why they treated you for yeast when they didn't see any.

wasting your money to take valtrex at this point - it isn't going to do anything for you at all with a recurrence now.

your provider not seeing any obvious lesions means it's not likely that this is your hsv1 reoccurring.  continue to follow up with your gyn if symptoms continue.

[nikkibr]

The first doctor apparently didn't test me for the yeast and bacterial infection but I am waiting on the results from another doctor which is my OBGYN that I just went to. She said she didn't see any yeast but prescribed Diflucan for me because she was not sure if I was having an outbreak.

She couldn't believe that there are no sores since I'm supposedly having an outbreak but in searching online I do see quite a few ppl in this situation we may have a different strain of the virus or something.

I think I'm having an outbreak though because I have that crawling sensation now and the tingles are gone. The crawling mainly started today so it seems my 'outbreaks' are tingles then twitches then the crawling which is annoying! I'll probably get some Valtrexbecause I'm having that nerve crawling thing and I hope it goes away forever this time.

Thanks for helping me Grace.

[gracefromHHP]

well if you do have hsv1 genitally, not having a recurrence for 6 years isn't unusual at all. it tends not to reoccur very often. if it's been more than 72 hours since symptoms began, not benefit to treating with valtrex since it's well on its way to healing on its own.

did they test you properly for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally when you were seen this time?

grace

[nikkibr]

Hi Grace,

The doctor didn't say it was genital but I assumed that due to the oral sex and me having the swollen lymph nodes in that area and yeast infection reaction. I haven't seen any cold sores there nor have any doctors I went to two years ago and two recently. I have never had a cold sores on my mouth either.

I am not in contact with that partner their status is unknown

I originally tested a month after when I got the 2.56 hsv1 result

I retested with a herpeselect a week ago the result is hsv1>5

So I guess I have it and with the progression of the score it shows that I was infected at that time.

The doctor doesn't know the reason for the burning so she gave some suggestions and if they fail she recommended valtrex.

So after about 6 years I have only dealt with HSV1 twice both then now and my main symptoms are tingles annd twitches. The tingles have gone but I still have a bit of twitches.

What do you make of this Grace, I must be asymptomatic in terms of actual symptoms like sores etc.

[gracefromHHP]

why did your provider tell you you had genital herpes from this?

you do have hsv1 but the odds of it being genital are  low. A newly acquired herpes infection wouldn't have been reflected on a blood test and most folks do test + for hsv1 due to oral infection with it whether they can recall obvious cold sores ever or not. You didn't have any genital lesions and you've never had a + lesion culture for herpes so why you were told it was genital herpes, I'm not sure.

since you tested too early initially, err on the side of caution and repeat your herpes igg blood test. did your partner at the time ever test for herpes?

definitely be seen now for your current symptoms to see what is causing them.  this needs done promptly so you can get a lesion culture if indeed this is herpes related. If they suspect herpes, a lesion culture should be done along with typing of it to see if it's hsv1 or hsv2.  they also should test you for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally too.

stop back and let us know how it goes!

grace

[nikkibr]

Also I wanted to add that I only took Valtrex for 2 months after the initial diagnosis so potential outbreaks aren't being suppressed.