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hsv2 risk and questions
Dr, I had an exposure (you can read my post in the std forum I hope) that was unprotected oral and protected vaginal sex. Today I had a single tiny whitish bump today on my scotrum after searching around. I squeezed it and emitted a whitish thread somewhat like a whitehead but softer. It does not itch, or hurt and has no redness. Can I ask if you will review pictures? And if that is a potential early stage sore, what can I expect will happen after I popped it? Today is 10 weeks past exposure.
I was feeling feverish without a fever with neck discomfort and giddiness. Did a MRI and blood test (no hsv testing) and it showed nothing. No lumbar puncture at the time due to insurance issues. What do you think of this? Can meningitis from hsv-2 present mildly without any outbreaks in your experience? And does it follow a certain time frame from exposure or can it be a long withstanding infection that suddenly has its first outbreak in the form of meningitis only? Cause the doctor said technically he can't rule out meningitis without the lumbar puncture although he believe it is not due to mild symptoms and the MRI and haematology blood test is good.
I was feeling feverish without a fever with neck discomfort and giddiness. Did a MRI and blood test (no hsv testing) and it showed nothing. No lumbar puncture at the time due to insurance issues. What do you think of this? Can meningitis from hsv-2 present mildly without any outbreaks in your experience? And does it follow a certain time frame from exposure or can it be a long withstanding infection that suddenly has its first outbreak in the form of meningitis only? Cause the doctor said technically he can't rule out meningitis without the lumbar puncture although he believe it is not due to mild symptoms and the MRI and haematology blood test is good.
I got a visual inspection with another GP which was unremarkable. Yup, sebaceous cyst and told me I was paranoid. Did not see any herpetic abnormalities elsewhere.
My main symptoms are obvious visual disturbances, post nasal drip, dull headache behind the eyes and behind the base of the skull, and often breaking a low grade fever into the evenings. I only had a stronger headache for one night at the onset, but it was not ER worthy. So you can see how I suspected meningitis and reading about how HSV-2 induced meningitis was common and got really worried. Cause if it was meningitis I was sure it would be herpes.
But this has been going on for 30 days now (yes, till today). GP did not think it was so with clinical tests and the neurologist appointment was a referral on my request - scheduled two days later which I think is indicative they did not think it was meningitis. Another GP said I wouldn't be driving to the clinic and sitting in the chair talking to her if it was (and the fact that I was able to vacation in Europe over the holiday week, despite feeling crappy). Of all 30 days, I did not require any bed rest and was up and about to the best of my ability. What do you think about this in line with your experience with HSV-2 meningitis? And does it present with the primary infection, the inital outbreak, a recurrence or just by itself? This in mind with my exposure being 10 weeks ago.
P.s: I did a online consultation with a doctor in the US (out of desperation since the neurologist closed the case as 'post viral headache' and didn't see the need to refer me elsewhere) and he told me it sounds exactly like an acute sphenoid sinus infection, given my history of sinus complaints. What do you think? Seeing an ENT soon.
My main symptoms are obvious visual disturbances, post nasal drip, dull headache behind the eyes and behind the base of the skull, and often breaking a low grade fever into the evenings. I only had a stronger headache for one night at the onset, but it was not ER worthy. So you can see how I suspected meningitis and reading about how HSV-2 induced meningitis was common and got really worried. Cause if it was meningitis I was sure it would be herpes.
But this has been going on for 30 days now (yes, till today). GP did not think it was so with clinical tests and the neurologist appointment was a referral on my request - scheduled two days later which I think is indicative they did not think it was meningitis. Another GP said I wouldn't be driving to the clinic and sitting in the chair talking to her if it was (and the fact that I was able to vacation in Europe over the holiday week, despite feeling crappy). Of all 30 days, I did not require any bed rest and was up and about to the best of my ability. What do you think about this in line with your experience with HSV-2 meningitis? And does it present with the primary infection, the inital outbreak, a recurrence or just by itself? This in mind with my exposure being 10 weeks ago.
P.s: I did a online consultation with a doctor in the US (out of desperation since the neurologist closed the case as 'post viral headache' and didn't see the need to refer me elsewhere) and he told me it sounds exactly like an acute sphenoid sinus infection, given my history of sinus complaints. What do you think? Seeing an ENT soon.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It sounds like the bump on your scrotum MIGHT be a sebaceous cyst, which is very common on the scrotum - VERY common.
To jump to the cause of your discomfort being meningitis from HSV 2 is a huge jump. Did the doctor see anything that he thought was suggestive of HSV?
People who have new herpes can have an aseptic meningitis which is actually not unusual but given everything you've said, that seems unlikely. But from what you've said, even that seems unlikely to me.
I agree with your doctor that you can't be certain that isn't herpes but it still seems really unlikely to me.
Terri
To jump to the cause of your discomfort being meningitis from HSV 2 is a huge jump. Did the doctor see anything that he thought was suggestive of HSV?
People who have new herpes can have an aseptic meningitis which is actually not unusual but given everything you've said, that seems unlikely. But from what you've said, even that seems unlikely to me.
I agree with your doctor that you can't be certain that isn't herpes but it still seems really unlikely to me.
Terri
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.
