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Identifying a Recurrence
Hey everyone,
So, I too am sort of in a herpes limbo. I was experiencing the symptoms, went to a doctor who took one quick look and said "Yep, definitely herpes". I asked her which type, and she responded "Definteley type 2". Anyways, when I went for a follow up she was wondering where my blood test/culture results were, and I had to inform her that she didnt perform either. The lesions were gone, so I went and got a blood test, which came back as negative. However, this doctor "swears on her life" that I have it, so with a claim like that I'm going to believe her (even though my gyno from back home is skeptical). For now I'm assuming positive, and moving onwards.
What I was wondering though is how to identify a recurrence. I frequently get pimples/ingrown hairs/other minor irritations down there that have always previously cleared up, but are still unsightly, and resemble at least some of the many herpes pictures on the internet. I'm a little paranoid, so I've always gone to the doctor, and its always been dismissed as a pimple/ingrown hair/etc.
Well now, I'm having trouble seeing some of these skin irregularities and wondering if theyre the norm or if theyre a recurrence? My initial outbreak was extremely painful, what I'm experiencing now is not. For about two weeks after the initial OB cleared up I've been experiencing an itching sensation in my upper labia near the clitoral hood. One area shows no bumps or anything, another has a red rash. The symptoms however have not gotten worse, nor have the improved. I started taking anti-virals again assuming it was an outbreak, but there has not really been an effect.
So, I guess I'm wondering......How do I take care of myself with this? How will I know when a pimple is a pimple? And when its an OB? Or something else all together? I heard that recurrences get milder/less severe with time, so how will I know?
So, I too am sort of in a herpes limbo. I was experiencing the symptoms, went to a doctor who took one quick look and said "Yep, definitely herpes". I asked her which type, and she responded "Definteley type 2". Anyways, when I went for a follow up she was wondering where my blood test/culture results were, and I had to inform her that she didnt perform either. The lesions were gone, so I went and got a blood test, which came back as negative. However, this doctor "swears on her life" that I have it, so with a claim like that I'm going to believe her (even though my gyno from back home is skeptical). For now I'm assuming positive, and moving onwards.
What I was wondering though is how to identify a recurrence. I frequently get pimples/ingrown hairs/other minor irritations down there that have always previously cleared up, but are still unsightly, and resemble at least some of the many herpes pictures on the internet. I'm a little paranoid, so I've always gone to the doctor, and its always been dismissed as a pimple/ingrown hair/etc.
Well now, I'm having trouble seeing some of these skin irregularities and wondering if theyre the norm or if theyre a recurrence? My initial outbreak was extremely painful, what I'm experiencing now is not. For about two weeks after the initial OB cleared up I've been experiencing an itching sensation in my upper labia near the clitoral hood. One area shows no bumps or anything, another has a red rash. The symptoms however have not gotten worse, nor have the improved. I started taking anti-virals again assuming it was an outbreak, but there has not really been an effect.
So, I guess I'm wondering......How do I take care of myself with this? How will I know when a pimple is a pimple? And when its an OB? Or something else all together? I heard that recurrences get milder/less severe with time, so how will I know?
Ohhhhh, I'm sorry, I didnt really clarify. I did have external lesions (which looked like pimples, and were QUITE painful), and yes he did perform oral sex on me as well. And although we used a condom for actual intercourse, there was some genital-to-genital contact prior to. So, I suppose anything is possible. I'd hope for it to be HSV-1 just cuz it seems like those outbreaks are less severe and less frequent, but I guess in the grand scheme of things it doesnt really make too much of a difference.
What I meant before was that I was surprised that the doctor said they were internal as well because 1. there was no insertion without a condom, and 2. I've read that internal lesions are extremely painful, and the doc doing the pap was the only part of the experience that was without pain. Again, though, I assume it shouldnt shake the world one way or another if a positive is a positive.
My gyno back home said that it was a good sign that my symptoms healed up so quickly (all clear after four days), and that they weren't too extreme (I felt pain when I urinated and used the restroom, but I didnt get any flu-like symptoms, lower back or leg-aches, etc., and was easily able to carry on with everyday life/activites---minus the emotional distress).
Again, I'm assuming its a positive, and that the other symptoms I'm experiencing now are probably a yeast infection and not a recurrence since they have been pretty much the same for two weeks without any change (minor itching, small red rash, no pain).
Do you have any tips though on how to tell when it may be something else versus a recurrence? Prior to this diagnosis I was already pretty prone to yeast infections, and I could see myself getting them confused in the future. Do you just get checked out everytime you feel something is amiss? I know I'll probably have to just learn how my own body deals with the virus, but I want to know as best as I can to take care of myself and manage this condition.
Thank you!
What I meant before was that I was surprised that the doctor said they were internal as well because 1. there was no insertion without a condom, and 2. I've read that internal lesions are extremely painful, and the doc doing the pap was the only part of the experience that was without pain. Again, though, I assume it shouldnt shake the world one way or another if a positive is a positive.
My gyno back home said that it was a good sign that my symptoms healed up so quickly (all clear after four days), and that they weren't too extreme (I felt pain when I urinated and used the restroom, but I didnt get any flu-like symptoms, lower back or leg-aches, etc., and was easily able to carry on with everyday life/activites---minus the emotional distress).
Again, I'm assuming its a positive, and that the other symptoms I'm experiencing now are probably a yeast infection and not a recurrence since they have been pretty much the same for two weeks without any change (minor itching, small red rash, no pain).
Do you have any tips though on how to tell when it may be something else versus a recurrence? Prior to this diagnosis I was already pretty prone to yeast infections, and I could see myself getting them confused in the future. Do you just get checked out everytime you feel something is amiss? I know I'll probably have to just learn how my own body deals with the virus, but I want to know as best as I can to take care of myself and manage this condition.
Thank you!
Has your partner performed oral sex on you as well? Another reason why your doctor could very well be incorrect - you could have genital HSV1 if you know your partner has oral herpes. (I have genital HSV1 from my partner that way). Hence why a swab/culture is very important (HSV1 and HSV2 symptoms present exactly the same genitally). Although, since the primary outbreak typically occurs where the actual contact was, not having external lesions make that somewhat less likely.
What symptoms did you have is you had no pain?
It sounds like you're doing the right things though; make sure your partner and you both get the correct blood test (not IgM). And indeed, you'll have to wait the 3 months. His results will be helpful, but not fully so until you get your testing.
Should you possibly have a recurrence between now and then, be seen at once and insist on a swab/culture.
What symptoms did you have is you had no pain?
It sounds like you're doing the right things though; make sure your partner and you both get the correct blood test (not IgM). And indeed, you'll have to wait the 3 months. His results will be helpful, but not fully so until you get your testing.
Should you possibly have a recurrence between now and then, be seen at once and insist on a swab/culture.
the waiting is the hardest part!! Just waiting, and time seems to go so slow. I will pray for you!!
I had my initial outbreak about a week after being sexually active with a new partner. We used a condom both time we had sex (thats another thing I found to be frustrating with this doctor is that she said I had internal lesions even though I felt no internal pain, and a condom was used correctly).
This partner did take the news pretty well, is being very kind to me, but I think may be in a bit of denial since he delayed getting tested. He knows he has HSV type 1 orally since he gets cold sores every now and then, but he's getting tested to see if has Type 2 as well.
My blood test was taken too early after our sexual encounter, so I have to wait about two more months to be sure. I'm assuming its HSV-1 or 2 until then.
This partner did take the news pretty well, is being very kind to me, but I think may be in a bit of denial since he delayed getting tested. He knows he has HSV type 1 orally since he gets cold sores every now and then, but he's getting tested to see if has Type 2 as well.
My blood test was taken too early after our sexual encounter, so I have to wait about two more months to be sure. I'm assuming its HSV-1 or 2 until then.
@ petal, what can we all do to educate our drs without them looking at us like we are crazy?
I am still in my limbo with these tests a 1.26 and 1.82 but then a negative biokit 3 weeks after first blood test. Partner tested negative as did ex. i tested negative in april. I am trying to assume i am negative, but still waiting on the WB.
However when i mentioned all of theses tests and all that i had learned on false positives from this site, the doctor told me not to spend so much time on the internet! He had never even heard of the WB or the biokit. This has been so frustrating of a journey and i see from this site and numerous others that there are many people going through the same thing and their doctors are just as misinformed. So how do we educate them without offending them?
I am still in my limbo with these tests a 1.26 and 1.82 but then a negative biokit 3 weeks after first blood test. Partner tested negative as did ex. i tested negative in april. I am trying to assume i am negative, but still waiting on the WB.
However when i mentioned all of theses tests and all that i had learned on false positives from this site, the doctor told me not to spend so much time on the internet! He had never even heard of the WB or the biokit. This has been so frustrating of a journey and i see from this site and numerous others that there are many people going through the same thing and their doctors are just as misinformed. So how do we educate them without offending them?
You medical provider is practicing poor medicine by not properly testing you. A visual herpes diagnosis is wrong about 1/3 of the time. Folliculitis can easily mimic herpes, but without proper testing you wouldn't know.
You mention nothing about your sexual history - also important here. Do you have a partner? Has he ever been tested for herpes? Have you? Most routine STD screenings do not include herpes testing.
Plain and simple - get tested. At this point, if it's been 3 months since your last sexual encounter (and in this case, your symptoms), you'd need an IgG types specific blood test. If negative, then you have to assume you're negative, and if you get symptoms again, be seen within 48 hours for a swab/culture of the lesions.
Also, even if you have herpes, realize that not everything down yonder IS herpes. I have genital herpes, and I also get yeast infections and have had BV as well. Itching and rash can easily be caused by either of those, but you need proper testing to know what's what.
You mention nothing about your sexual history - also important here. Do you have a partner? Has he ever been tested for herpes? Have you? Most routine STD screenings do not include herpes testing.
Plain and simple - get tested. At this point, if it's been 3 months since your last sexual encounter (and in this case, your symptoms), you'd need an IgG types specific blood test. If negative, then you have to assume you're negative, and if you get symptoms again, be seen within 48 hours for a swab/culture of the lesions.
Also, even if you have herpes, realize that not everything down yonder IS herpes. I have genital herpes, and I also get yeast infections and have had BV as well. Itching and rash can easily be caused by either of those, but you need proper testing to know what's what.
(also, the upper labia is not where my initial outbreak was, but I'm not ruling out an outbreak because I was itching and touching the area a lot before I was diagnosed with herpes, so I figure it may be auto-innoculation?)
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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.
