Do I have Herpes

[chryz]

4 weeks ago I had unprotected oral sex with a new partner. He also fingered me pretty roughly which hurt because I am still a virgin. Roughly a week later, the second time of having oral sex the next day I felt tingling and I felt sensations in my vagina.  I then put monistat soothing care on it, I then felt normal and when I saw him again I irritated my vagina by dry humping which cause me pain for a week because I had jeans on. I continued using monistat which then caused my vagina to burn and my labia to swell. I then stopped using it and the swelling went down.  Convinced dry humping irritated me I had oral sex again around the 3rd week.  A week later I couldn't help but feel those same sensations I was feeling before which sometimes felt like tingling. I  began to examine my vagina and I found small red patch on the inner folds, I had to pull the lip far back just to see it. I can't tell but I think I see a small red bump within the   red patch.  

I decided to go to the hospital because the gyno was closed and they took a test for urethritis which came back fine. The doctor who examined me convinced me that nothing was wrong with me and simply bypassed the red patch of skin. He told me that it was my body's way of adjusting to having oral sex for the first time and that I should take it easy.  I wasn't satisfied with the diagnosis so I got a second oppinon at the gyno who was concerned about the red patch and other areas that began to also redden( the other side of the inner lip and the lower part of vagina opening)after having taken swabs she diagnosed me as having yeast but made it seem there was a 50% chance it could be herpes so she had a culture done. I should get the results within a couple of days. When  I asked my new partner if he thought he may have been affected  he couldn't be sure whether or not he was.

Could anyone  ease my mind cause I think I am going crazy, my doc left me in the air as to what I might have. I would also like to know how reliable is the culture test and should I also take a blood test.  Thanks.

[stillHurting]

I can't offer anything better than your doctor, however culture for herpes is very unreliable.  Much better is if you again get a "red path" to have it swabbed and sent in for PCR and typed.  Since you have only had oral sex HSV-2 risk is basically 0.  HSV-1 risk is there, do you know if your partner is HSV-1 positive?  Having him take a blood test will make more sense than you taking one at this point.  You must wait 3-4 months for accurate results.  If he is herpes negative, then you know that you are as well.

You've had no other symptoms?  Lymph node swelling, fever, etc?  If I had to guess I'd say HSV-1 is less likely than other outcomes but I would never pretend to have a better understanding than your doctor who examined you closely.

[chryz]

I told my partner what my doctor said and he decided to go get tested. He has no idea whether he is or isn't.  I have no fever or flu like symptoms and I don't think my lymph nodes are swollen.  I haven't experienced anything but sensitivity,red bumps and  just recently yellowish, brownish discharge but I think that maybe from the medication I'm taking. Does the gyno offer the "red path" or would I have to go elsewhere and why do you think HSV-1 is less likely?

[chryz]

Also if this is a herpes breakout shouldn't the bumps turn into blisters and crust over. I found the red bumps (2) last week friday.  And if this is the initial and severest breakout does it mean I won't have anymore breakouts?

[gracefromHHP]

This could be herpes but it sounds like you have yeast going on along with even potentially a reaction to topical yeast medications.  At this point - wait for the culture results to see if they come back as anything.  It sounds like it was more than 48 hours after the redness started so chances are good that the culture will come back as negative anyways no matter what.  When your bf gets the results of his blood test results for herpes you can see if in the future if you two need to consider barrier protection for oral sex or not.

Yeast infections from oral sex are pretty common. The flora in the mouth doesn't always do so well when introduced to the genital area.  

grace

[obviouslyconcerned]

Hi all, i need your help.. For the past several months, maybe four or five i have been experiencing weird itching and dry skin on my penis.. It sometimes feels like a little bug or something is biting my the top of my penis..It's always at the top below the head, it's been dry and I've even noticed cracked skin.. I've been to the dermatologist and he doesn't help, i'm scared it herpes which freaks me out for some reason... I haven't had sex in eight months or so, i know pathetic, and I dated a girl for one and half years before that. during that relationship i was tested for all std's and they were negative, it was a blood test. I need to look with a magnifying glass to see the cracked skin, it's so small....  These symptons come and go and everytime it comes it freaks me out to the point that I feel dirty.  they don't hurt, i haven't had a fever or even been sick in almost a year and a half... I don't know what is happening...I dont ever see any sore or blisters. nor does they hurt....and it's never on the shaft but it's always right below the head....my dermatolgist says it's ezceme/just dry skin.. what the hell do I do.

[chryz]

I finally got the results back for the culture and it came back negative.  My concern is now that I have been recently experiencing a burning sensation coupled with what now looks like like sores(open cuts) and no longer bumps. My doctor wants me to go back for a visit so a test can be done on the infected areas.  

If the test proves I have herpes what price range am I looking to spend on medication and how often. Seeing that there is the risk of HSV-1 and not 2, should I expect to have recurrences or not?

[gracefromHHP]

If your blood test only comes back as hsv1+ there's no way at this point to know if it's an oral or a genital infection.

When the practioner saw yeast the 2nd time when they did the herpes culture too - did they prescribe any treatment for it?  Definitely going back for a visit and getting tested for yeast again and also bacterial infections is a good idea.

At this point I wouldn't treat you for herpes at all.  If you did have a new herpes infection - it's way past the point where treating it will do much good.  It sounds like you have something else going on anyways.

I hope you get answers and relief soon so you get back to feeling like your normal self :)

grace

[chryz]

When she diagnosed me with yeast she prescribe diflucan and a cream which really hasn't made a difference because the symptoms I had weren't that bad to begin with.

I went to the doctor today and she told me I have herpes without taking another culture, she went as far as giving me valtrex.  She said she saw ulcers, which I couldn't see, and said that I now have to figure out which strand of herpes I may have.
She said she would contact me later on about blood tests I can take to make sure what type I have.

I  really had hoped to be normal again but I guess that isn't about to happen anytime soon.   Thanks for the advice I appreciate it !

[chryz]

I went to health department today and got a IGG type blood work done and I should get the results back within 5-7 days.  I'm not totally convinced I have this disease since I haven't gotten any positive results.  

I've recently experienced burning in the shower after having applied soap (dove unscented) even though I rinsed with water it continued to burn. Once I dried off I felt semi okay, still felt some sensitivity.  I haven't experienced this before and I realize a difference after having stopped using the yeast infection cream (nystatin) prescribed to me.  

I want to know whether I should start taking the valtrex even though I have negative test results or continue using cream just until I get the test results back.

[gracefromHHP]

At this point even if it is herpes - valtrex probably isn't going to do a lot for it :(    I wouldn't bother taking it at this point to be honest.  Your symptoms have been going on for several weeks now - it's almost run it's course. If you've already filled the prescription go ahead and use it - it won't hurt but if you haven't filled it yet - it's probably not worth doing so :(   Instead try things like soaking in the tubby with a packet of aveeno bath thrown in or some epsom salts or even 2 cups of vinegar for comfort and to soothe your irritated genital skin and then when you get out "air dry" - go bottomless as often as you can - that's good for yeast and herpes.   Herpes is irritating as is topical yeast medications.  You can also try applying something like a&d or zinc oxide or even vaseline to the genital area to help soothe it , protect the irritated skin from urine and to cut down on friction irritating the skin when wearing clothes.  I'd stop using the topical yeast cream and give the doc a call and ask them to phone you in a prescription for diflucan - it's one pill you take for yeast. If things are already irritated down yonder you don't want to be irritating it more with topical yeast meds :(

Hope you are feeling better soon :)

grace

[chryz]

I didn't fill the prescription so I decided not to take the valtrex like you suggested and I've stopped using the nystatin . When the nurse first saw me she prescribed diflucan which I took over a week ago. Its really been  four weeks since I have been experiencing symptoms but I'm guessing the herpes would have already run its course regardless.  I managed to get the a&d zinc oxide and the first time it helped to soothe it but a day or two after, my genitals have recently become itchy  and the zinc oxide is not really soothing it that much.   I think I might have irritated it by looking at because afterwards it started to have a itchy crawly feeling even slightly sharp pains. It sort of felt like a feeling on the inside but I'm not sure where the itching is coming from but it's mostly felt on the left side, could that be an irritated ulcer?

I wanted to know Is there some sort of cream i can use to soothe the itching.  and also could I be possibly be experiencing more than one infection  all at once?

[gracefromHHP]

Unfortunately yes indeed you could have more than one thing going on. If the itching continues - another trip to the doctor to get retested for yeast and bacteria is a good idea along with another exam to see if they see anything else going on.

I like dermoplast spray ( the blue can for the genital area, not the red can ). It's a topical anesthetic you can spray on without having to touch your genitals ( or get white cream stuck under your fingernails for the rest of the day ).  It's good for pain and itching.

grace

[R3n33]

I was just wondering. You probably can't, but do you know if you can get herpes from swimming in a pool?

[gracefromHHP]

the only way you are going to get herpes in the pool is if you are having sex with someone who has genital herpes in the pool.

grace

[bcjt]

Does anybody know what the risk of getting herpes via oral sex (from girl's mouth to man's penis)when there is no lesion present ?

[frightened:(]

I asked the same question a few weeks back - the MedHelp doc said there is little if any chance.  I called the herpes hotline (do a google search for it, and be prepared to be on hold for a LONG time - small underfunded not-for-profit, but GREAT people!) and found that there are only a hand full of days that the "giver" is contageous without an obvious cold sore.  I was told that if no cold sore was present, one should be fine.  I am told that it is one of the safest forms of sexual activity... in my mind, safer does not mean safe...

I was told that the only kind of herpes you could get from receiving oral is oral herpes (HSV-1?) Which over 50% of the populations catches as a child from non-sexual contact aka kiss from someone who has it.  Many people don't show symptoms once they catch it.

Interesting, I was positive I was one of the few thatcould catch it that way, as I felt I had symptoms. I got test results yesterday and it did come out negative.  Symptoms suddenly are almost gone...

I hope thisis helpful.

[chryz]

I went and got a second opinion from a doctor and not a nurse. He told me he didn't think I had herpes but instead was leaning towards warts because he saw unusual small growths . The thing is he can't diagnose me until I get test results, but he kept saying that my symptoms weren't typical of anything.  He said it could be one of three things, molluscum , genital warts or just a reaction.  My partner got back his results and they were negative for almost everything, but he's taking the tests again just to make sure.

Do you think I might have just been having a reaction all this time?

[Nadijah]

I recently had oral sex and within a week had a really sore throat. After about a week when i stared my period my mouth began to tingle and i noticed i had small red and white bumps. Is this herpes? I read that the outbreaks can be triggred by menstration so i think that may be why i just goe the tingling. Any advice?