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Herpes or pimple?
Hello Doctor,
I'm writing because I'm getting loads of conflicting information. American social health organization says genital herpes looks different in every case, but then I read what you folks write on here (Dr. Handfield and Dr. Rockoff in particular) you're always so adamant that genital herpes is always a cluster not a single bump, always scabs, etc.
So I'm writing in because, like everyone else says, my case is different.
1. I'm 32 and intermittently sexually active. I'm black and female.
2. I tend to get yeast infections when I get my period.
3. This time, I had my period and found a painful reddish bump on my labia majora. I freaked out. Looked at in the mirror a few times and then went to bed.
4. Next day it was really painful.
5. By that evening it was painless, but larger and had a white head on the top, like a whitehead pimple.
6. By the next day, the white head was gone. No oozing. The lump was still there, though. Much smaller.
7. Today the lump is still there, even tinier. I can barely even find it.
8. I did have an encounter with someone who had genital hsv 1. But I already had oral sv 1 ( plus, I tried to get into the herpevac study, and they told me I had it, so couldn't participate).
Is this herpes? I itch a little, but frankly, I often feel phantom itches and tickles if I'm scared of bugs or dermatologic problems.
I'm writing because I'm getting loads of conflicting information. American social health organization says genital herpes looks different in every case, but then I read what you folks write on here (Dr. Handfield and Dr. Rockoff in particular) you're always so adamant that genital herpes is always a cluster not a single bump, always scabs, etc.
So I'm writing in because, like everyone else says, my case is different.
1. I'm 32 and intermittently sexually active. I'm black and female.
2. I tend to get yeast infections when I get my period.
3. This time, I had my period and found a painful reddish bump on my labia majora. I freaked out. Looked at in the mirror a few times and then went to bed.
4. Next day it was really painful.
5. By that evening it was painless, but larger and had a white head on the top, like a whitehead pimple.
6. By the next day, the white head was gone. No oozing. The lump was still there, though. Much smaller.
7. Today the lump is still there, even tinier. I can barely even find it.
8. I did have an encounter with someone who had genital hsv 1. But I already had oral sv 1 ( plus, I tried to get into the herpevac study, and they told me I had it, so couldn't participate).
Is this herpes? I itch a little, but frankly, I often feel phantom itches and tickles if I'm scared of bugs or dermatologic problems.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I really think that Dr. Handsfield would agree that herpes can have many presentations, from a single bump to a crack to a red, irritated area to blisters. He and I have talked about this many times, and I'm quite sure we are on the same page about that.
If you are black and female, your risk of having HSV 2 statistically is quite high, you may have also read that. You have a suspicious symptom, though it is really not totally clear at all what's going on with you. My best advice would be to get a type specific blood antibody test (IgG only) for HSV 2. You don't need to have a symptom present to do that, and you can do it online if this isn't something your clinician will do for you. In my opinion, you are the perfect candidate for this blood test, and will benefit greatly from either having your worries put aside or learning that you have HSV 2 so you can do things to treat your symptoms and reduce the risk of infecting others. Let me know how you do with this, OK?
Terri
If you are black and female, your risk of having HSV 2 statistically is quite high, you may have also read that. You have a suspicious symptom, though it is really not totally clear at all what's going on with you. My best advice would be to get a type specific blood antibody test (IgG only) for HSV 2. You don't need to have a symptom present to do that, and you can do it online if this isn't something your clinician will do for you. In my opinion, you are the perfect candidate for this blood test, and will benefit greatly from either having your worries put aside or learning that you have HSV 2 so you can do things to treat your symptoms and reduce the risk of infecting others. Let me know how you do with this, OK?
Terri
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm just not clear what it might be. Normally, the fluid in herpes lesions is not white, as your describe, but your race and gender do put you in a higher risk category, just statistically. Sure wish I could be of more help to you on this one.
Terri
Terri
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your test results indicate that you are infected with both HSV 1 and HSV 2. The numbers have no specific meaning, other than that they are high enough that you don't need any confirmatory test to be done. I know you must be very concerned about this news. Glad you are seeing a therapist to help you find a way to cope better with having genital herpes. Have you read the Handbook at my clinic website? There is also a patient counseling DVD to watch there to help with some of the emotional issues that herpes raises. I would recommend that you start with these two resources.
If you are sexually active with someone who is not infected (and this would be determined by test results, not their impression about whether they have herpes or not as 90% of those infected don't know), then I would recommend that you begin daily therapy to reduce the risk of transmission to others.
Remember that almost half of African American women have HSV 2 infection, very very common, so you are not alone. You need to also know that having HSV 2 makes you at greater risk of acquiring HIV, should you have sex with someone who is infected with HIV. I hope you will have future sex partners tested for all STDs so an accurate assessment of their risk and yours for various things can be determined. If you do have sex with someone who also has HSV 2, you need not worry about passing the virus back and forth or anything else.
If you have more questions, don't hesitate to begin a new post after you've done reading, etc.
My best,
Terri
If you are sexually active with someone who is not infected (and this would be determined by test results, not their impression about whether they have herpes or not as 90% of those infected don't know), then I would recommend that you begin daily therapy to reduce the risk of transmission to others.
Remember that almost half of African American women have HSV 2 infection, very very common, so you are not alone. You need to also know that having HSV 2 makes you at greater risk of acquiring HIV, should you have sex with someone who is infected with HIV. I hope you will have future sex partners tested for all STDs so an accurate assessment of their risk and yours for various things can be determined. If you do have sex with someone who also has HSV 2, you need not worry about passing the virus back and forth or anything else.
If you have more questions, don't hesitate to begin a new post after you've done reading, etc.
My best,
Terri
It was a dark, dark inappropriate joke about the suicide. I'm seeing a therapist (have been for years) and will talk to her about the emotional implications of my new status. BUt I do want to understand those numbers. Would you please explain them?
Well, it appears that I am officially contaminated.
My results:
Herpes Simplex 1
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Types I and II Specific Antibodies, IgG
HSV-1 aB IgG
3.91 H
POSITIVE
Herpes Simplex 2
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Types I and II Specific Antibodies, IgG
HSV-2 aB IgG
5.57 H
POSITIVE
What does this mean? Also, I wonder which form of suicide would be quickest.
My results:
Herpes Simplex 1
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Types I and II Specific Antibodies, IgG
HSV-1 aB IgG
3.91 H
POSITIVE
Herpes Simplex 2
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Types I and II Specific Antibodies, IgG
HSV-2 aB IgG
5.57 H
POSITIVE
What does this mean? Also, I wonder which form of suicide would be quickest.
By the way, I know you can't give a diagnosis via the internet, and I can't show it to a doctor because it's pretty much gone now. I'm just wondering what it sounds like to you. Who even knows if it will come back or not? I hope it doesn't.
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
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.
