Outbreak spread?

Herpes -

10 days ago found 2-3 small lesions under the head of my penis. I am waiting for test results to determine if they are yeast/bacterial infection or Herpes. result due Monday.

Now I have red rash irritation in the creases of my groin, red and painful. Could the herpes outbreak spread to there?

[petal130]

Well your test results will hopefully help you find out what's going on. But in the meantime, be seen again if concerned. Let us know when your test results come back.

[EdgeDude]

'm screwed - it was positive... simplex...   arggh!

[gracefromHHP]

what testing came back as +?

do you know if it's hsv1 or hsv2?

grace

[EdgeDude]

Don't know yet - not sure if the test will even tell me - it was a viral swab...

I will try to get into the clinic today -  they just phoned me with the heads up.

Took 17 days for the results...
Symptoms are gone in the primary region...  anyone know if there is even any need to treat now?

[gracefromHHP]

the swabbing should've been typed for hsv2 or hsv1. if they didn't type it, insist that they call the lab they use and order a typing added on.  Current CDC recommendations are very clear about how important knowing type is and why it's best to do it with the lesion culture.

no, if symptoms are gone, no reason to treat at this point.

grace

[EdgeDude]

Thanks grace.

Finally got the full results today.

HSV type 1 isolated

Better than two I suppose?

[gracefromHHP]

yep :)

keep asking questions as you have them.

[EdgeDude]

My initial symptoms. (2 small lesions) have healed.  No crust no scab.  Just reduced .   The clinic Md was a little gapped out and did not have any suggestions..

Do I need antivirals ?  Do I just carry on a watch for another outbreak?

Not sure what to do....

[FallenAngel2011]

Why does 1 have to be better than 2? So I guess we HSV2 people are just dooomed huh? I would like to think one isnt better than the other (except in the case of just oral herpes). I find it rather insulting like we HSV2 people are just downright dirty...

[EdgeDude]

Did not mean to offend...

Comment reflected a belief that symptoms are reduced in frequency and severity with 1 v. 2....

[gracefromHHP]

It's not an insult fallenangel, it's that hsv1 reoccurs less often and sheds less often.  It's still genital herpes, just it's a little easier to deal with that's all when it's hsv1 genitally.

[EdgeDude]

Thanks Grace.   back to my initial question,     any idea  of I need any treatment?

The initial symptoms seem to be gone - new pink skin there...

Still have the groin rash hanging in....   but i firmly believe it may just be as advertised.. a bit of jock itch etc...

any thoughts are welcome.

[Mistakeguy789]

If it is HSV-1 positive for genital no we don't recommend the antivirals unless you are getting frequent outbreaks.  But as you know HSV-1 doesn't reoccur that often.

Could be jock itch.  

[EdgeDude]

(moved here from another thread)

Does the same possibilities of a Dormant Infection apply equally to HSV-1 as to HSV-2?  By dormant I mean no visible symptoms etc...

I have a puzzling case with only low risk exposures in the last 6 months - yet had a small outbreak and diaginsed HSV-1 by swab culture.

Yet years ago (10+) had loads of contact with HSV-1  positive folks....

Outbreak definitely occurred during a High Stress period otherwise (not that it helped to reduce stress!)

I have read about people encountering a "first outbreak"  years after exposure and I am Just curious if a dormant infection is possible with HSV-1 as with HSV-2 -

.

Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

so are you asking if this is a recent infection or just your first noticeable recurrence of a previous hsv1 genital infection?  

[EdgeDude]

Sorry -  yes    I cannot pinpoint a likely exposure,  so I was wondering if HSV-1 had that same trait where symptoms do not appear for years or months...

thanks

[gracefromHHP]

yes you can be infected and not get another recognizable ob's for years.  typically the initial hsv1 infection is a humdinger.  can you recall ever having anything genitally before?

since you didn't have a blood test at the same time as your lesion culture, impossible at this point to try to narrow down if it's a new infection or not.

[EdgeDude]

No nothing genitally before. Certainly not a humdinger...

The rash in my groin is more of a bother...

[EdgeDude]

Ok Next question  - if you all have the time.

Now over 6 weeks post outbreak HSV-1.   Outbreak was limited to small lesions just under the head of penis.   The probably would have cleared up quicker, but I was misdiagnosed with yeast or bacterial and treated wrong way for two weeks.  

Lesions gone - all healed up -  Still getting the odd red rashy patches on my shaft.  In pre-HSV days I would have used a mild cortizone cream for the redness etc.  but now understand cortizone is a big no-no for HSV due to effect on immune system.

Does that apply to after effects too  or only to the outbreak issues?

Any advice is helpful regarding possible products to aid and speed the healing...

[gracefromHHP]

I'd go and be seen and make sure this isn't a fungal infection going on that needs treated with antifungal creams.

for general irritation, just use a moisturizer like aquaphor ointment or a&d ointment.

[EdgeDude]

Thanks    will do that....

what is a&d ointment?

[gracefromHHP]

most people use it for baby's butts :)