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Persistant tingle?
I have 2 questions re: HSV 1
5 years ago I had a terrible primary outbreak of HSV - 1 in my throat. Initially I was placed on antibiotics for strep throat but when the symptoms persisted I went back to my Dr. for re-evaluation. He told me it was most likely viral and it would go away in a couple more days. As luck would have it...I also auto-inoculated myself and had a terrible outbreak in the genital region a couple of days later...when I went back to my Dr. he cultured it (the genital outbreak) and it came back positive for HSV - 1 - so I am "assuming" my initial outbreak in my throat was HSV - 1 as well. Since that time my reoccurrences have only occured on my genitals - quite infrequently and VERY mild. I always only get one blister...and it usually always shows up in the exact same spot. However, about 3 months ago I went for laser hair removal in the bikini region (which can cause an outbreak of Herpes - I was made aware by the Laser Technician). About 5 days later I started to develop the familiar tingle and itch in the spot that I always do...and a blister formed the next day. My problem is...the tingle - the itch and a teeny tiny blister are still present to this day. What is wrong? Why won't it go away in the usual 10-14 days? When I go to the Dr. he can't even see anything and therefore finds it unneccesary to place me on anti-virals or anything...but I know it's there...I can feel it. Have you ever heard of any cases of persistant breakouts? I HAVE been under a lot of stress lately. Or could it be something else? To me the tingling sensation and the itch are exactly what I experience when I have a normal recurrance.
Second question: As luck would also have it...during this 3 months I started dating a new guy. We have kissed and I have performed oral sex on him. He has not performed oral sex on me but has touched my vagina with his hands just in the past 4-5 days. About 2 days ago he started to complain of a sore throat. I didn't think much about it until today. He called me and told me that he has a REALLY bad sore throat. Now I'm very concerned that I have passed on HSV to him. The problem is -I don't know how. I don't think it could be from the genital region because he didn't put his mouth anywhere near my genitals. On the other hand - I don't think it could be from my mouth because I have never had any recurrence of HSV in my throat in my mouth or on my lips since the initial outbreak 5 years ago. Could I have passed on HSV to him just by kissing? Do I have Oral HSV -1 as well as Genital HSV - 1 even though all my outbreaks are on my genitals? I am so confused. Now I am starting to worry about the fact that I gave him oral sex. Could he get Genital HSV-1 from my mouth even though I don't have any sores in my mouth? Or am I just paranoid and all he really has is just a regular sore throat? I just don't want to inflict harm on him. I thought I was being so careful!! Any thoughts would be helpful. Thank you!
5 years ago I had a terrible primary outbreak of HSV - 1 in my throat. Initially I was placed on antibiotics for strep throat but when the symptoms persisted I went back to my Dr. for re-evaluation. He told me it was most likely viral and it would go away in a couple more days. As luck would have it...I also auto-inoculated myself and had a terrible outbreak in the genital region a couple of days later...when I went back to my Dr. he cultured it (the genital outbreak) and it came back positive for HSV - 1 - so I am "assuming" my initial outbreak in my throat was HSV - 1 as well. Since that time my reoccurrences have only occured on my genitals - quite infrequently and VERY mild. I always only get one blister...and it usually always shows up in the exact same spot. However, about 3 months ago I went for laser hair removal in the bikini region (which can cause an outbreak of Herpes - I was made aware by the Laser Technician). About 5 days later I started to develop the familiar tingle and itch in the spot that I always do...and a blister formed the next day. My problem is...the tingle - the itch and a teeny tiny blister are still present to this day. What is wrong? Why won't it go away in the usual 10-14 days? When I go to the Dr. he can't even see anything and therefore finds it unneccesary to place me on anti-virals or anything...but I know it's there...I can feel it. Have you ever heard of any cases of persistant breakouts? I HAVE been under a lot of stress lately. Or could it be something else? To me the tingling sensation and the itch are exactly what I experience when I have a normal recurrance.
Second question: As luck would also have it...during this 3 months I started dating a new guy. We have kissed and I have performed oral sex on him. He has not performed oral sex on me but has touched my vagina with his hands just in the past 4-5 days. About 2 days ago he started to complain of a sore throat. I didn't think much about it until today. He called me and told me that he has a REALLY bad sore throat. Now I'm very concerned that I have passed on HSV to him. The problem is -I don't know how. I don't think it could be from the genital region because he didn't put his mouth anywhere near my genitals. On the other hand - I don't think it could be from my mouth because I have never had any recurrence of HSV in my throat in my mouth or on my lips since the initial outbreak 5 years ago. Could I have passed on HSV to him just by kissing? Do I have Oral HSV -1 as well as Genital HSV - 1 even though all my outbreaks are on my genitals? I am so confused. Now I am starting to worry about the fact that I gave him oral sex. Could he get Genital HSV-1 from my mouth even though I don't have any sores in my mouth? Or am I just paranoid and all he really has is just a regular sore throat? I just don't want to inflict harm on him. I thought I was being so careful!! Any thoughts would be helpful. Thank you!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
In regard to your overall history: I would want to know for sure that you have a negative HSV-2 blood test, or that a genital lesion was tested an found to be positive for HSV-1. Longstanding recurrences of genital HSV-1 are atypical (with or without shaving), and it is conceivable you have both oral HSV-1 and genital HSV-2.
Your continuing symptoms for 3 months almost certainly are not due to herpes, unless part of the symptoms are due to anxiety over the possibility. (This might account for tingling and itching, but not a persisting blister.) You should visit a herpes-knowledgeable provider to examine the area. Contrary to popular opinion, stress has never been shown (with scientific rigor) to trigger herpes recurrences, and it definitely does not delay healing.
Certainly a partner's severe sore throat could be herpes, just as for your initial HSV-1 infection. Of course, he could have a garden-variety viral pharyngitis; he needs professional evaluation to know. If it is herpes, kissing is by far the most likely route of infection. As I said, your genital area symptoms almost certainly aren't herpes; asymptomatic shedding of genital HSV-1 isn't nearly as frequent as for HSV-2; and indirect transmission routes, like genital-hand-mouth, are very rare if they occur at all. Most people with oral herpes have at least occasional asymptomatic shedding in or around the mouth, regardless of whether or not there are recurrent oral symptoms.
Bottom lines: Both you and your partner should visit a herpes-knowledgeable health care provider (perhaps together) for accurate assessment of your respective problems. Depending on the outcome of the providers' assessment, including appropriate lab tests, it will be easier to know who is infected with what and where.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Your continuing symptoms for 3 months almost certainly are not due to herpes, unless part of the symptoms are due to anxiety over the possibility. (This might account for tingling and itching, but not a persisting blister.) You should visit a herpes-knowledgeable provider to examine the area. Contrary to popular opinion, stress has never been shown (with scientific rigor) to trigger herpes recurrences, and it definitely does not delay healing.
Certainly a partner's severe sore throat could be herpes, just as for your initial HSV-1 infection. Of course, he could have a garden-variety viral pharyngitis; he needs professional evaluation to know. If it is herpes, kissing is by far the most likely route of infection. As I said, your genital area symptoms almost certainly aren't herpes; asymptomatic shedding of genital HSV-1 isn't nearly as frequent as for HSV-2; and indirect transmission routes, like genital-hand-mouth, are very rare if they occur at all. Most people with oral herpes have at least occasional asymptomatic shedding in or around the mouth, regardless of whether or not there are recurrent oral symptoms.
Bottom lines: Both you and your partner should visit a herpes-knowledgeable health care provider (perhaps together) for accurate assessment of your respective problems. Depending on the outcome of the providers' assessment, including appropriate lab tests, it will be easier to know who is infected with what and where.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Thanks for you response doctor! My initial genital outbreak came back positive for HSV -1 and negative for HSV-2 (I saw the report...I am an R.N.). My throat was never swabbed. Another couple of quick questions (if you get a chance). What is the tingling/tickling sensation that happens before an outbreak? Is that the prodromal symptoms? Would one be considered contagious at the prodromal stage...or is it just when the blister appears?
You are reading content posted in the STDs 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.
