herpes or thrush

[traveller722]

I have seen 4 doctors about my concern. I had protected sex with a guy 7 weeks ago. Since then I have had strange things happening to me. there were a few small bumps on my labia. One doctor said it was herpes but the bumps were not painful and did not turn into sores. I was put on the Acyclovir medication. After the course of medication I still had pain in my abdomen so the doctor put me on other medication. I was on so many tablets and antibiotics that I was feeling dizzy when I walked, headaches and my face and eyelids became swollen. I went to another doctor who told me to stop all medication and sent me to a gynecologist. The gynae said I had a bad case of thrush and I am now taking iodine pessaries. Three days later I have noticed like a sore in my pubic hair but not sure if it's an ingrown hair as there is hair in the centre of it and there isn't any tingling or great pain associated with it. Can you shed any light on what is going on?

[Mistakeguy789]

Good luck.  Time to move off Herpes.  We told you would be fine.  :-)  Good luck!

[traveller722]

Hi MistakeGuy,

I said I would keep you updated on the results. I was surprised to hear that all my tests were clear for herpes. The swab test and the blood test were negative. It was week 9 that I had these tests and the doctor said I don't need to repeat the tests at the 4 months mark, as he swabbed the area that was feeling sore, if it is herpes it would have shown up.

I am going to go back for another syphillis and hiv test but as the sex was protected this should come back negative.

I am still concerned with my pains though but I can put the herpes concerns behind me for a while, until I get more weird symptoms. Also, why my face swelled up, all very strange but I was on holiday in Africa so maybe allergic to something there.

Thank you for listening and answering my questions. This forum provides so much good advice and greatly appreciated.

[traveller722]

Hi Mistake Guy,

My face is still feeling a little swollen and my right eye hurts. I went to the doctor today who said my eyes are not swollen but they definitely are. He thinks I'm obsessed but until I get a bloodtest I won't relax. Can I ask a stupid question? I have been checking out my facial skin and notice some kind of different areas where there are small circles where the skin is kind of different. For example on my nose, under my eye and above my eyelids. They are not blisters just different looking skin.

Could this be related to herpes at all? Or could it be some allergic skin condition to medication?
If it is herpes on the face would it necessarily blister and go away?

I know it's a bunch of questions but you know how stressful it is at this time and finding weird stuff going on with your skin.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Mistakeguy789]

Good deal.  Sounds like you were in good hands.  Keep your head up.  You will be amazed to see how many people post here thinking they have HSV to get tested later and go "I AM FREE!".

[traveller722]

Update on my condition today. I felt a tingling on my eyelids which has been happening for the two weeks. The doctor told me that it should stop after ceasing the medication I was taking. However, today, the right side of my face swelled up and was getting bigger and the side of my face,nose and eyes became numb. I was freaking out....I ended up at the hospital. I was thinking that it is Herpes on my face as it is possible to get it there.

The doctor who is also a gynecologist said it was a nerve issue and not herpes. Well i was lucky to hear that. So I also mentioned the sore on my pubic hair area. He had a look at it and said it was follicitus (spelling??) as there was pus there. Like a staph infection. So that helped put my mind at ease regarding the sore.

Guess I will have to sit it out over the next few weeks until I get home for the blood test. I mean I guess what I have heard today is good news regarding the herpes question.

I am still taking the iodine pessaries for a few more days so hopefully that clears up that issue. But I will keep you updated on the final outcome of a blood test.

Thanks for listening :-)

[Mistakeguy789]

Good luck and let us know what they say.

[traveller722]

Thanks for your advice. No there haven't been any tests taken as yet. I am seeing the gynae again on monday to ask him about the sore. I am travelling at the moment so will have to wait until I get home and ask for a blood test.

[Mistakeguy789]

Protected sex is considered low risk for HSV.  It is still possible but again a low risk.  

We can't beat a doctor looking over you and saying what it is or is not.  They get to see your symptoms and we can only hear.  Eyes are so much better sometimes.

Did any of the doctors test your vaginal fluids for infections?  Did the doctor swab test you at all?  This could be anything really including an ingrown hair.  Herpes rarely hits the hairy region of our body but can.  

I would advise following up with your doctor it is a little late for a culture but maybe they can shed some more light on it for you.