Is it Herpes

[kathy215]

Hi Dr,

I am 22 years of age and when I was about sixteen I experienced what I believed to be a genital herpes outbreak. I had lesions that looked like little lines, tingling skin and the supposed outbreak was extremely itchy and lasted for about 2 weeks. At this time I was not sexually active and still a virgin. Since then I have only had one partner.
At the time I did not go to the doctor out of shame-which i now regret!! Ever since this initial episode I have experienced itchy skin and tingling sensations. The lesions or cracks have re-occured once in the same place and other times in the pubic hair region. I have also had a couple of singular sores that occur at different times.

I about 4 months ago I went to see my Doc about the itchiness and redness. She said I had a yeast infection which took two courses of Difulican and cream to get rid of.
Even though the yeast has cleared I am still left with itchy skin, and a tingling sensation. I have been seeing a gynecologist who said I have no vaginal infections and the soreness is due to irratition from using scented body wash and washing detergerent. She recommened me to switch to unscented etc, which I have done, but so far this hasn't made a difference.

I have been tested for all STDs and including a type specific herpes blood test. Which was negative. However I have experienced tiny cut like sores in the corners of my mouth causing me to doubt the accuracy of the herpes test.

Do you think my intial outbreak of sores was caused by herpes? is it possible for me to have touched my mouth with a cold sore and transfered the virus to my gentials? Or do you think it could have been yeast infections left untreated that caused sores to appear?

I am worried that I am infectious to my boyfriend. The doc recommended that we stop using condoms to see if that will alievate my irritation. However this makes me very worried that I will give my boyfriend HSV1 genital herpes if we stop using them.

Thanks so much,

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I must admit that the parts of your history would make me want to consider a type-specific herpes blood test as part of sorting things out.  Indeed genital herpes can present as fissures and tingling and can take about two weeks to resolve.  HOWEVER, I would also then believe the blood tests and act upon them accordingly.  If the test confirmed antibodies to HSV, i would presume that your initial and subsequent episodes were herpes (this was not the case for you).  Similarly, with negative tests, I would also believe the test results and therefore assume that you do not have herpes and that the periodic tingling you experience is not herpes.  It sounds to me as though your doctor is well informed and doing just what I would do in this situation, embark on helping to sort this out through a process which, unfortunately, must involve a certain amount of trial and error.

In answer to your other question, yes, yeast infections absolutely can lead to the sorts of sores you describe.  

My advice.  Please don't worry.  You do not have herpes.  Work with your doctor to sort these things out but be confident that you are not putting your BF in jeopardy with unprotected sex.

Hope this helps.  EWH

[kathy215]

Thanks so much Dr Hook,

I think because for along time I have believed that I have Herpes it is hard to change my mind set and believe I don't! I mentioned the tingling to my Doc and she thought it could be due to anxiety.

I know it is pretty much impossible to give yourself herpes from another site on your body so I should be ok, but do you think I should have a more sensitive herpes select test to make completely sure? i had a IGG test previously. ( i know some people produce antibodies that don't show up on IGG)

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, you have had the right test.  The IgG test is the correct test. other tests such as IgM tests give much misinformation.  Take care.  EWH

[kathy215]

Hi Doctor Edward,

I went to go see my general health care provider on Monday and they are pretty much stumped at what could be causing my constantly itchy skin. I was wondering if I should suggest taking a Herpes culture to completely rule it out? I just can't imagine what would arise when I was a 16, and not sexually active to cause these Herpes like symptoms.

Is it all possible that I could have transferred the virus from my mouth to my vaginal area, since when the intial problems started I was not sexually active?

I know my blood tests are negative, Its just my symptoms seem to fit with herpes and I am so worried about being infectious to my boyfriend.

Thank You,

[slacker101]

How could a virgin get an STD? You can't be infected with anything down there sexually transmitted if you never had sex before. You were getting symptoms before you were sexually active so something else has to be causing your problems.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your focus on herpes is inappropriate. there is nothing to support the possibility of herpes and you have tests to show that you do not have herpes.  Herpes does not casue itchy skin but there are many dermatologic, non-STD problems that do.  It is time for you to move on and forget your herpes concerns.  If you cannot do that, i would suggest you speak with a counselor who can help you to do so.  EWH

[kathy215]

Hi Doctor,

just remembered another sypmtom-when I had my intial epsiode i also had bubble like whitish looking blisters inside my vagina opening. Can a yeast infection be a culprit for this?

also had one more question...is herpes spread from vaginal fluids or just from the outer skin?
thank you

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Dr. Hook is away from the forum for a few days.  If he were here, he would repeat that you are overly focusing on herpes, which does not cause continuous genital itching.  That you are a virgin and had a negative IgG blood test further proves herpes isn't the problem.  Please direct any further questions to your own doctor.  This forum cannot help you further.

HHH, MD