Aa
What have I got?
Hello all,
I am a 24 year old male. On sept 6 I had vigorous unprotected sex with my new girlfriend, of unknown HSV status. My glans was sore following the event. On sept 9 I had the appearence of red spot on my glans combined with painful unrination. I had the usual gamit of STD tests done (excluding herpes), and all came back negative. By sept 11 I had developed flu-like symptoms and small pimples (red protrusions with white puss-filled tips) had begun to appear at the base of my penis. Almost all of the pimples were sprouting from hair follicles. By sept 15 my flu symptoms (cough; runny nose; weakness; aches and pains) had become quite severe and the pimples had spread to my thighs. I saw a GP, who suspected herpes. I was put on a 10 day 1000mg per day valtrex course. On Sept 17 I had swabs taken on the thigh (although these pimples had by now burst and were crusting over) and from a small intact pimple. Both swabs tested negative for herpes by PCR. On sept 19 another (different) GP examined me and diagnosed herpes visually. On sept 21, following the appearence of tingling sensations in the affected areas, a third GP made a caucious diagnosis of herpes, but suggested psoraisis may also be possible and I was reffered to a dematologist. A blood sample was taken and sent away for HSV IgG & IgM tests. The dermatologist was seen on sept 22, and diagnosed "possible candida" and prescribed anti-fungal cream.
I have recieved the IgG and IgM test today and they are both negative for HSV 1&2. I am still experiencing nerve tingling, but the rash/pimples have nearly completely subsided. I am still waiting for my girlfriend to have an HSV blood test performed. It should be noted her previous boyfriend of 5 years had suffered from cold sores.
I am confused as to what might be causing my symptoms. Should I worry about being herpes positive given my test results? Is it really possible that psoraisis or candida could explain my symptoms? I will have the blood test performed again in 3 months, but that is a long time to wait for a diagnosis. I am suffering severe anguish over this matter, especially as herpes (including cold sores) is completely unheard of in my social circles. I don't want to become "tainted goods".
Thanks
I am a 24 year old male. On sept 6 I had vigorous unprotected sex with my new girlfriend, of unknown HSV status. My glans was sore following the event. On sept 9 I had the appearence of red spot on my glans combined with painful unrination. I had the usual gamit of STD tests done (excluding herpes), and all came back negative. By sept 11 I had developed flu-like symptoms and small pimples (red protrusions with white puss-filled tips) had begun to appear at the base of my penis. Almost all of the pimples were sprouting from hair follicles. By sept 15 my flu symptoms (cough; runny nose; weakness; aches and pains) had become quite severe and the pimples had spread to my thighs. I saw a GP, who suspected herpes. I was put on a 10 day 1000mg per day valtrex course. On Sept 17 I had swabs taken on the thigh (although these pimples had by now burst and were crusting over) and from a small intact pimple. Both swabs tested negative for herpes by PCR. On sept 19 another (different) GP examined me and diagnosed herpes visually. On sept 21, following the appearence of tingling sensations in the affected areas, a third GP made a caucious diagnosis of herpes, but suggested psoraisis may also be possible and I was reffered to a dematologist. A blood sample was taken and sent away for HSV IgG & IgM tests. The dermatologist was seen on sept 22, and diagnosed "possible candida" and prescribed anti-fungal cream.
I have recieved the IgG and IgM test today and they are both negative for HSV 1&2. I am still experiencing nerve tingling, but the rash/pimples have nearly completely subsided. I am still waiting for my girlfriend to have an HSV blood test performed. It should be noted her previous boyfriend of 5 years had suffered from cold sores.
I am confused as to what might be causing my symptoms. Should I worry about being herpes positive given my test results? Is it really possible that psoraisis or candida could explain my symptoms? I will have the blood test performed again in 3 months, but that is a long time to wait for a diagnosis. I am suffering severe anguish over this matter, especially as herpes (including cold sores) is completely unheard of in my social circles. I don't want to become "tainted goods".
Thanks
Hey guys, I thought I'd give an update on my condition for those who are interested.
My girlfriend's blood tests came back positive for HSV1 and clear for everything else, so that pretty much settles the question of 'is it or isn't it?'. For those of you still doubting, I will personally have another blood test performed in a month, although I think the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
Symptoms have generally faded away gradually with the exception of a recurrence of nerve pain on my butt and a quite painful lesion on my face. The recurrences happened almost exactly 1 month after the initial symptoms and were effectively suppressed with topical zovirax and oral valtrex (1g/day). The ear pain did flare up again in concert with the facial lesion, but dissipated within 2 days and was not as severe as the first occurrence. My hearing is almost normal now and there does not appear to be any discernible permanent damage.
I don't think i'll be seeing any more genital symptoms given it's likely HSV1, but i'll have to keep an eye on the facial condition. I am still acutely aware of the possibility of meningitis/encephalitis. Earlier this year a rather prominent political figure in his 40's was hospitalised here with viral meningitis and became paralysed from the waist down!
Nevertheless, mentally i'm feeling much more positive now than when I last posted. Relief of most of my symptoms was a big help (it's hard not to think about it if you're in pain!) as were close friends and family. Incidentally, I think a great deal of my mental stress was as a result of detailed knowledge gained from the internet. It is perhaps not the best thing to have in mind the various possible consequences of an illness whilst trying to recover from it.
For those still out there suffering, remember it will get better, and try to stay focused on your goals. I feel confident I can deal with any further outbreaks should I have them.
P.S. For a laugh, check out the amusing electric six song 'infected girls' :)
My girlfriend's blood tests came back positive for HSV1 and clear for everything else, so that pretty much settles the question of 'is it or isn't it?'. For those of you still doubting, I will personally have another blood test performed in a month, although I think the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
Symptoms have generally faded away gradually with the exception of a recurrence of nerve pain on my butt and a quite painful lesion on my face. The recurrences happened almost exactly 1 month after the initial symptoms and were effectively suppressed with topical zovirax and oral valtrex (1g/day). The ear pain did flare up again in concert with the facial lesion, but dissipated within 2 days and was not as severe as the first occurrence. My hearing is almost normal now and there does not appear to be any discernible permanent damage.
I don't think i'll be seeing any more genital symptoms given it's likely HSV1, but i'll have to keep an eye on the facial condition. I am still acutely aware of the possibility of meningitis/encephalitis. Earlier this year a rather prominent political figure in his 40's was hospitalised here with viral meningitis and became paralysed from the waist down!
Nevertheless, mentally i'm feeling much more positive now than when I last posted. Relief of most of my symptoms was a big help (it's hard not to think about it if you're in pain!) as were close friends and family. Incidentally, I think a great deal of my mental stress was as a result of detailed knowledge gained from the internet. It is perhaps not the best thing to have in mind the various possible consequences of an illness whilst trying to recover from it.
For those still out there suffering, remember it will get better, and try to stay focused on your goals. I feel confident I can deal with any further outbreaks should I have them.
P.S. For a laugh, check out the amusing electric six song 'infected girls' :)
Hearing loss isn't due to herpes. Have you followed up on that ? If your regular doctor isn't sure what to do because of it, go to the ER for evaluation.
It's not likely that you spread genital herpes to your face. Your symptoms don't even really sound like they are herpes genitally to begin with but following up on them to be sure is the best course of action. If the dermatologist did not see the facial symptoms, call monday and follow up on that too.
I think you are letting your anxiety about all of this really affect your life. No reason to cancel your masters program plans or anything like that.
grace
It's not likely that you spread genital herpes to your face. Your symptoms don't even really sound like they are herpes genitally to begin with but following up on them to be sure is the best course of action. If the dermatologist did not see the facial symptoms, call monday and follow up on that too.
I think you are letting your anxiety about all of this really affect your life. No reason to cancel your masters program plans or anything like that.
grace
I know exactly how you feel about the disease screwing with your emotions. I had just started college when my symptoms started, and just withdrew and moved back home. I will probably attend a community college for a while, at least til I figure out what is wrong, but I'm definitely scared and I feel like I have the worst luck ever!
Thanks for replying Grace,
I am really hoping that this isn't Herpes, but in reality I just know it is. I have had shingles before and the sensations were very similar. Reading over my symptoms, they seems to fit perfectly with a primary herpes infection. Does anyone know if candida or psoriasis could produce the symptoms I described?
I really wish the PCR testing had been done earlier, and the correct Valtrex prescription given, but my GP has never seen a case of genital herpes before and so wasn't exactly sure of what to do (as I said, it's unheard of where I live!).
Unfortunately I think I might also have managed to spread the disease to my face (this occured before I knew what I was dealing with) and have had substantial hearing loss in my right ear for more than a week. I am terrified at the prospect of encephalitis claiming my mind too.
I've had to cancel my plans to begin a masters program overseas, as I don't think I can deal with it emotionally right now. Until recently I was a young, healthy, outstanding student with great prospects but I feel like this disease has the potential to completely ruin my health and acedamic career as well as my love-life.
I am really hoping that this isn't Herpes, but in reality I just know it is. I have had shingles before and the sensations were very similar. Reading over my symptoms, they seems to fit perfectly with a primary herpes infection. Does anyone know if candida or psoriasis could produce the symptoms I described?
I really wish the PCR testing had been done earlier, and the correct Valtrex prescription given, but my GP has never seen a case of genital herpes before and so wasn't exactly sure of what to do (as I said, it's unheard of where I live!).
Unfortunately I think I might also have managed to spread the disease to my face (this occured before I knew what I was dealing with) and have had substantial hearing loss in my right ear for more than a week. I am terrified at the prospect of encephalitis claiming my mind too.
I've had to cancel my plans to begin a masters program overseas, as I don't think I can deal with it emotionally right now. Until recently I was a young, healthy, outstanding student with great prospects but I feel like this disease has the potential to completely ruin my health and acedamic career as well as my love-life.
A negative pcr in theory would've been a pretty good answer but unfortunately you had it done too many days into symptoms as well as 2 days into valtrex therapy.
At this point continue follow up with the dermatologist. This could be herpes but it also could be many different things. Since the dermatologist saw you almost 2 weeks into things and after you started valtrex ( even though it was the wrong dose you were given ), that can affect their diagnosis too.
There is absolutely no social circle in this world that doesn't have herpes a major part of it. 1 out of every 2-3 adults in the US alone has hsv1 orally. It's incredibly common and most folks who have it, have no idea they have it. You just think you aren't hanging with folks with herpes - 1 out of 4 of them have hsv2 too. No one is too "good" for herpes dear no matter how much money you have or where you live - don't be delusional, be educated about it all!!!! We fear what we don't understand - take this time to learn just how common this virus is and how by the time we reach our rockers in the old age home, 80% of us has hsv1 and 30-40% of us have hsv2. Not many of us get thru life without at least one form of hsv!
grace
At this point continue follow up with the dermatologist. This could be herpes but it also could be many different things. Since the dermatologist saw you almost 2 weeks into things and after you started valtrex ( even though it was the wrong dose you were given ), that can affect their diagnosis too.
There is absolutely no social circle in this world that doesn't have herpes a major part of it. 1 out of every 2-3 adults in the US alone has hsv1 orally. It's incredibly common and most folks who have it, have no idea they have it. You just think you aren't hanging with folks with herpes - 1 out of 4 of them have hsv2 too. No one is too "good" for herpes dear no matter how much money you have or where you live - don't be delusional, be educated about it all!!!! We fear what we don't understand - take this time to learn just how common this virus is and how by the time we reach our rockers in the old age home, 80% of us has hsv1 and 30-40% of us have hsv2. Not many of us get thru life without at least one form of hsv!
grace
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
