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I think I have contracted Herpes. Need some advice on what to do next
Hi On July 25th, I think I had unprotected Sex with a Stripper. I was very drunk and have no idea what happened.
I went to the local Doctor (2 weeks after potential exposure) and he gave me a dose of Antibiotics (oral) and Injection to protect me from Bacterial STI's.
A week later (Week 3), I got what the doctor called Balanitis around my penis glands and foreskin. I put on antifungal and it appeared to work. I would sweat constantly when doing mild activities and felt run down. I assumed as he did that it was Candidia. Possibly the Dosage of antibiotics could have robbed my immune system and caused the issue... wishful thinking perhaps.
At week 4, I got a full panel of STD testing. All came back clear except for HSV1 which I know I have had for years. I take 1MG of Valtrex a day to protect from outbreaks as I would get really bad OB's on my lips and nose. I felt inflammation on my left side groin in my lymph nodes. I felt a slight tingling on my tip of penis for a few minute and it stopped. A small red area appeared. No blister, or sore to speak of, and was nearly invisible within 2 days
At week 5 I got another STD check since I read you should wait 4-6 weeks- negative. Went to another doctor (at the STD Clinic) who said he could not even see what I was speaking about and told me it was all in my head and I should see a psychologist. I wish this were the case
At Week 6 I started to feel symptoms. I had an itchy spot on my scrotum. I medicated it with Tea Tree oil and upped my dosage to 2MG / Day of Valtrex for 5 days. It went away (no sore, blister etc to speak of). Groin lymph nodes were still inflamed. I went to a urologist who looked at me and said there was no signs of HSV. He reviewed my results and said I was fine and not to worry.
At week 7 - I got another STD check (IGG) and it came back negative. I also went to primary physician - all negative.
I kept taking my 1MG of Valtrex a day.
At week 9 - I got what appeared to be a pimple on my scrotum. Still there today and think it is just that. Ie a hair follicle. I went a little nuts and put tea tree 3 x per day for 3 days on my scrotum. About 5 days later, all the skin peeled off (not just that area but all over) including the base of my penis. Was horrified. However assumed this was down to tea tree oil being a little harsh for the area.
At 11 week and 1 day I got another IGG test and it came back negative.
At week 12 and now going on two weeks I have been having the "skin crawl", a feeling of pins being pushed into my skin (mainly lower half of the body (mainly the legs), but sometimes in Arms and chest area. I felt this for several days rather extreme. I upped the dosage of Valtrex to 2MG a day.
Now I am sitting at 2MG a day. If I don't take it, the crawl starts to come back. For example, I took it last night and then waited until 11:30 AM this morning as I wanted to drop down to 1MG or just stop, and I started to feel the crawl and almost immediately my lymph nodes started inflaming again. Also by testicals have been feeling like someone punched me in them for about 6 weeks now. Comes and goes, but mostly there. Started on the left and eventually its both
So, the question is:
Why if I have been having symptoms since second week of exposure, would I not see a positive result at week 11. My urologist, said I have never had HSV2 - based on IGG test. He said Valtrex would not have suppressed it to provide a false negative (and that was at 6 weeks). I have not seen a typical lesion or blister (that the only thing I am hanging onto right now). I would think that with so many symptoms, my body would have had some immune system build up by week 11!!! I don't have HIV, so am not immune deficient.
If I keep taking Valtrex will I keep getting a negative or will it over time turn positive - assuming so.
Is there harm in delaying the primary OB like this? IE - will it be worse if I have been suppressing it, or will my body naturally keep building the immune system as clearly it is fighting it or something else.
I know you are going to say that I should just stop taking Valtrex and have the OB. However I have a rather complicated position with my partner. She is aware of all this and does not want me to mention it to her (depite having unprotected sex with her - this is her choice BTW). I tried to use Condom and she said no. I don't want a lesion to appear as this will confirm that I have it. I don't want to take another test as I will need to confirm it to her. So, that is the quandary. I feel I have it. But seems so odd that after so many symptoms there was not an immune build up. So if Valtrex is truly the culprit then I need to know what the impact will be longer term of doing suppressive therapy during this process.
A week or s
I went to the local Doctor (2 weeks after potential exposure) and he gave me a dose of Antibiotics (oral) and Injection to protect me from Bacterial STI's.
A week later (Week 3), I got what the doctor called Balanitis around my penis glands and foreskin. I put on antifungal and it appeared to work. I would sweat constantly when doing mild activities and felt run down. I assumed as he did that it was Candidia. Possibly the Dosage of antibiotics could have robbed my immune system and caused the issue... wishful thinking perhaps.
At week 4, I got a full panel of STD testing. All came back clear except for HSV1 which I know I have had for years. I take 1MG of Valtrex a day to protect from outbreaks as I would get really bad OB's on my lips and nose. I felt inflammation on my left side groin in my lymph nodes. I felt a slight tingling on my tip of penis for a few minute and it stopped. A small red area appeared. No blister, or sore to speak of, and was nearly invisible within 2 days
At week 5 I got another STD check since I read you should wait 4-6 weeks- negative. Went to another doctor (at the STD Clinic) who said he could not even see what I was speaking about and told me it was all in my head and I should see a psychologist. I wish this were the case
At Week 6 I started to feel symptoms. I had an itchy spot on my scrotum. I medicated it with Tea Tree oil and upped my dosage to 2MG / Day of Valtrex for 5 days. It went away (no sore, blister etc to speak of). Groin lymph nodes were still inflamed. I went to a urologist who looked at me and said there was no signs of HSV. He reviewed my results and said I was fine and not to worry.
At week 7 - I got another STD check (IGG) and it came back negative. I also went to primary physician - all negative.
I kept taking my 1MG of Valtrex a day.
At week 9 - I got what appeared to be a pimple on my scrotum. Still there today and think it is just that. Ie a hair follicle. I went a little nuts and put tea tree 3 x per day for 3 days on my scrotum. About 5 days later, all the skin peeled off (not just that area but all over) including the base of my penis. Was horrified. However assumed this was down to tea tree oil being a little harsh for the area.
At 11 week and 1 day I got another IGG test and it came back negative.
At week 12 and now going on two weeks I have been having the "skin crawl", a feeling of pins being pushed into my skin (mainly lower half of the body (mainly the legs), but sometimes in Arms and chest area. I felt this for several days rather extreme. I upped the dosage of Valtrex to 2MG a day.
Now I am sitting at 2MG a day. If I don't take it, the crawl starts to come back. For example, I took it last night and then waited until 11:30 AM this morning as I wanted to drop down to 1MG or just stop, and I started to feel the crawl and almost immediately my lymph nodes started inflaming again. Also by testicals have been feeling like someone punched me in them for about 6 weeks now. Comes and goes, but mostly there. Started on the left and eventually its both
So, the question is:
Why if I have been having symptoms since second week of exposure, would I not see a positive result at week 11. My urologist, said I have never had HSV2 - based on IGG test. He said Valtrex would not have suppressed it to provide a false negative (and that was at 6 weeks). I have not seen a typical lesion or blister (that the only thing I am hanging onto right now). I would think that with so many symptoms, my body would have had some immune system build up by week 11!!! I don't have HIV, so am not immune deficient.
If I keep taking Valtrex will I keep getting a negative or will it over time turn positive - assuming so.
Is there harm in delaying the primary OB like this? IE - will it be worse if I have been suppressing it, or will my body naturally keep building the immune system as clearly it is fighting it or something else.
I know you are going to say that I should just stop taking Valtrex and have the OB. However I have a rather complicated position with my partner. She is aware of all this and does not want me to mention it to her (depite having unprotected sex with her - this is her choice BTW). I tried to use Condom and she said no. I don't want a lesion to appear as this will confirm that I have it. I don't want to take another test as I will need to confirm it to her. So, that is the quandary. I feel I have it. But seems so odd that after so many symptoms there was not an immune build up. So if Valtrex is truly the culprit then I need to know what the impact will be longer term of doing suppressive therapy during this process.
A week or s
I agree this surely doesn't sound hsv related. You can absolutely have a primary for hsv2 if you have hsv1 already.
Antivirals can suppress a possitive result for a while.
All in all i do not suspect hsv2
Antivirals can suppress a possitive result for a while.
All in all i do not suspect hsv2
7 Comments
hmmm... seems like you have spoken to my doctor... lol. Was thinking it could be possible reinfection of HSV 1 to the groin area.... although I don't get OB's of that since on Valtrex. Where would HSV 1 live if in the genital area (I know HSV 2 is the spine. Would HSV1 go to the same spot and cause similar symptoms....
Was thinking perhaps its my blood sugar levels. I have lost 30LB's since all this started. I will test em....
Any advice on reducing to 1MG again and seeing what happens. Its a bit hectic though and worrying to know it will all start up again. Why would Valtrex help since its AntiViral?
Have also been taking a lot of Vitamins (B,C,D) and using Tea Tree Crème on groin and inner thighs just in case its viral.
Was thinking perhaps its my blood sugar levels. I have lost 30LB's since all this started. I will test em....
Any advice on reducing to 1MG again and seeing what happens. Its a bit hectic though and worrying to know it will all start up again. Why would Valtrex help since its AntiViral?
Have also been taking a lot of Vitamins (B,C,D) and using Tea Tree Crème on groin and inner thighs just in case its viral.
Update:
still having a ton of symptoms. right now the tip of penis has been periodically throbbing. feeling pin pricks in my legs and pulsing in my groin and thighs
Spoke to a Dr today who said she felt I didnt have HSV 2 since test were all negative. But she felt I could have gotten HSV1 on my genitals.
I do recal having an oral ob about 7 days before first synptoms anx could have touched my mouth and genitls right after as i remeber doing that and thinking I shouldnt ha e just done that.
She switched up my medication as she said the outbreak should not be sustained like this for 4 weeks while on Valtrex.
this sucks so hard
still having a ton of symptoms. right now the tip of penis has been periodically throbbing. feeling pin pricks in my legs and pulsing in my groin and thighs
Spoke to a Dr today who said she felt I didnt have HSV 2 since test were all negative. But she felt I could have gotten HSV1 on my genitals.
I do recal having an oral ob about 7 days before first synptoms anx could have touched my mouth and genitls right after as i remeber doing that and thinking I shouldnt ha e just done that.
She switched up my medication as she said the outbreak should not be sustained like this for 4 weeks while on Valtrex.
this sucks so hard
Once infected, you are highly resistant, probably immune to a new infection or to auto-inoculation of a new body part. In all likelihood you will never have hsv1 genital herpes, either by auto-inoculation of your oral infection or from another person.
Had discharge for the third time. skin is crawling big time. despit on the new meds. taking em helps for several hours then it all comes back. feels like I have been punched in the groin over and over for weeks now
sores have also appeared on my hands 3 that are round on my thumb and left habd. right hand has cuts and redness on the back of the hand. off to dermatologist today. uggh this sucks.
Went to the Dermatologist. He took scrapings of hands to get test results. Did not swab the penis as he felt it could cause a lot of pain since when my bladder is full, the head hurts. He said it sounds like something is going on for sure. He said HSV can take up to 6 months to present in an IGG test.
Will report back on scraping results.
Will report back on scraping results.
Took another test at 16 weeks and 4 days. Everything came back negative. Except for HSV1 which I have had orally. So if its not HSV 2 then could it be HSV 1 that has infected genitals. Not sure if this can happen after having HSV1 for over 9 years prior orally.
Going to see dermo today for results of scrapings on hand.
Going to see dermo today for results of scrapings on hand.
You are not infected with HSV2. Your symptoms do not suggest you are and you have a negative IgG blood test at 11 weeks. Those two combined are extremely strong evidence that you are not infected. Also, it would not be a primary outbreak since you are already infected with HSV1 and have antibodies to it.
2 Comments
I thought HSV2 and 1 are different so your antibodies are different. You would have to build Antibodies for HSV2 no? I truly hope you are right, however whats with all the symptoms and why would Valtrex stop them... BTW - had some discharge (once at week 11)
Medically speaking, there are two types of first-episode herpes outbreaks. The first is a non-primary outbreak in a person who has been infected previously with any type of HSV. The second type is a true primary infection, which is the first HSV infection in a seronegative person, i.e. no antibodies to either hsv1 or hsv2. .
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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.
