Is it herpes and when should I see a doctor?

[newsufferer]

A few days ago I woke up and thought I had a yeast infection - I went to see a nurse and described my symptoms and she agreed and told me to take monistat (which I proceeded to do).  However, the next day I woke up and there were several white blisters all over my vulva and some close to my thigh. The number of blisters has now increased to over 10.  It has become extremely painful to pee and the white blisters have started to "pop" or be more like lesions. I was in severe pain for three days but now it seems that the blisters are smaller and are less painful. When looking online for my symptoms, it seems fairly evident that I have herpes (the monistat did nothing for me) and I've recently had unprotected sex.  

This morning I woke up and noticed blood. It is about the time I would get my period but I am concerned given this being my first (unofficial) outbreak that it could be something worse. There is no blood from any of the blisters as far as I can see.  There are no clinics open right now and since I have yet to see a doctor or take any medication, I wasn't sure if it was necessary for me to rush to an emergency room. I'm not even sure if having this many blisters is normal or if it's a severe infection.. And if it is normal, and it is just my normal period, how necessary is it to see a doctor at this point as I've gone for several days now? I'm a bit freaked out by all of this :( please respond!

[daisy315]

Often the run up to a period can trigger a Herpes outbreak for some women so this looks to be the case with you,it also seems like a primary outbreak,you should see your Doctor or STD Clinic as soon as possible when another outbreak happens to have a swab taken from the lesions which will be cultured and is one of the most definative means of testing for HSV2 in the early days of infection as blood work may not show anything yet ......


Daisy

[newsufferer]

Thanks you! So since Im pretty sure it's starting to clear on its own should I not see a doctor until another outbreak? And are there any drugs a doctor could prescibe at this point in an outbreak to make it less painful or to make it clear up quicker?

[daisy315]

Until you know for sure you have Herpes I would advise waiting until you have another outbreak and have it swabbed,it does seem quite likely you have HSV2 given the description of what you're experiencing,once you get your swab result the Doctor can start you on an anti-viral which you can either take only at the onset of an outbreak or you can take it as Suppressive Therapy ( every day ) to lessen your outbreaks and or help them clear up quicker.
In the meantime if you are in a lot of pain go to your Doctor jusr now and ask him what he thinks you should do.
It can be helpful to pour warm water over the lesions as you pass urine to dilute it and ease the stinging, be kind to yourself when you have an outbreak have nice warm baths and take regualr painkillers to make things less unconfortable.

Daisy