Initial hsv2 symptoms go away in 4 days

I recently had a protected exposure with a csw. Immediately after started to panic an inspect myself constantly. About 3 days after exposure I developed a single red bump towards the base of the shaft - around where the condom would have ended. I freaked out and went to doctor who said it's probably a pimple. However the timing coincidence doesn't sit right with me.  The bump went away by the end of day 4. Has anyone heard of an initial hsv2 infection lasting less than
the 7-10 day period? I blood tested immediately after and can back negative for both hsv1 and 2 so this would be my initial/primary infection. Can an initial outbreak be this brief?

[Mistakeguy789]

Chances are if it didn't go threw a process of becoming an ulceration and then healing with a scap I would say this isn't HSV...  Nor does it really for an initial infection last that short.  Your provider told you it wasn't HSV your blood test wouldn't be accurate for this encounter because you tested early.  If you want to know if you caught HSV from this encounter you can test again at 12-16 weeks for an accurate answer.

[madmen5]

My bump never turned into a blister with a scab. Just became red and swollen then left a flat red mark and went away over the course of 4 days. I'm definitely planning on get tested at week 12 and 16 but the anxiety is doing a number on me.

The timing and location of the bump is why I was curious if anyone else heard of similar hsv symptoms. I read that mild or atypical symptoms could present as a red bump without blister so got worried.

Thanks for you input mistakeguy.

[gracefromHHP]

at this point since a lesion culture wasn't done on your symptoms, nothing else you can do but to wait and repeat your blood tests at the appropriate time.

please just keep adding to your original post instead of making a new one each time. this is explained in our read before posting post on this forum -thanks!

grace

[madmen5]

Sorry about the double post. Grace just curious if you've ever come across an initial hsv2 infection lasting less than a week?

[gracefromHHP]

it would be unusual.  

have you ever been tested for herpes before?

[madmen5]

I tested about a year ago and was negative igg for 1 and 2. Then tested 5 days after encounter and was igg negative as well  so this would definitely be my initial outbreak not a recurrence But I know that my testing was too soon.  The location and timing of red bump just seems too coincidental for me to move on. Every new pimple or itch in the boxer short region sends me into a panic. Counting down the days till the 12 week mark.

[Mistakeguy789]

This will be a long 12 weeks if this is your attitude at this point.  I would say you need to wait until something larger then a pimple and itch set you off.  

[madmen5]

I hear you mistakeguy. I'm really trying to not let my mind wander and get me down. Thanks very much for your input. Talking about the facts and realistic chances helps rather than me just assuming the worst.

[madmen5]

One additional question. I have had a red rash in between my scrotum and inner thigh for about 2 weeks now. It appeared 17 days after my risky exposure. The hair follicles in that area seem inflamed but no raised blisters. The rash appears as thin red lines, almost like scratch marks. I remember the skin peeling a few days after the start of the rash and it's been pretty red ever since. I am going back to the dermatologist but cant get in until next week. I'm hoping its just chafing but have you ever come across a herpes rash persisting for over 2 weeks in the inner thigh area?

[petal130]

Sounds like a classic fungal infection (aka jock itch).

[madmen5]

I really hope its just a fungus and not herpes. However, my rash doesnt look anything like jock itch. It's only on one side and is in thin red lines (maybe like 6-7) not an all over redness or blotchiness like jock itch.

I read in the doctors forum herpes doesnt last over 2 weeks. Do you know if that applies to herpetic rashes as well?

[petal130]

Herpes is herpes - no idea what you mean by herpetic rash. Also, nothing you've written sounds at all like herpes: a lesion healing in four days followed by a "thin red line" rash.

At this point, be seen if you are concerned - ultimately we can't diagnose. And as Grace said repeat your herpes test at the 3 month mark for peace of mind.

[madmen5]

I agree that its not the classic clustered blisters its just that I've read that herpes is very variable in how it presents. And I can never remember having lesions before and a few days after my risky encounter, a red bump pops up on the shaft. Then a red rash in the groin. I really hope and pray that I'm ok it just seemed too coincidental to just forget about it.

I will test again at week 6 which will be in a few more days. I was tested immediately after encounter and was negative for both 1 and 2. With no previous HSV1 antibody protection, could I assume I would seroconvert at 6 weeks?

[gracefromHHP]

since you can't be seen until next week, I'd buy an otc jock itch ointment and start applying it 2x/day and see if that helps. it's a classic area for fungal infections.

[madmen5]

Hey Grace,
Since you're such a great resource I was hoping you could answer a question about igM testing. I realize Dr. H dislikes igM for many reasons (mostly false positives). However, is there any reassurance with a negative igM test? I tested 16 days after exposure and had negative igM and igG. I know my igG was too early but is there any value to the negative igM? BTW this would be my primary/initial infection so the longstanding infection wouldn't be an issue. Many thanks guys.

[gracefromHHP]

even a negative igm isn't really all that helpful. depending on the manufacturer depends on the sensitivity of the igm they offer and if I recall the specificity of the igm is kinda low too. I don't read much about the igm tests since usually folks are getting the non-type specific igm's in the first place and even when they do get a type specific one done, they still aren't accurate enough to get excited over.

grace

[madmen5]

I found an old post from 2005 in which you and Dr. H. say there is some reassurance in a negative igm. Has there been any new information since then that changes your opinion

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/General-Herpes-Testing-Question-and-Case-Specific-Question/show/246956

I'm still of course waiting for the 12-16 week mark to test for the more reliable igg. I've been getting these tiny red pimples in different places on the shaft about every 3 weeks - always one at a time and they never progress to open blister. I don't know if stress/examination could cause these. Or does this sound like a recurrent herpes episode?

Thanks for all your help.