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Possible HSV2 follow-up
This is a follow up question from a thread that Dr. Hook answered for me. He assured me that the likely hood of acquiring herpes in my situation was very, very low. After seeing my PCP I had more questions.
On November 15, I received a lap dance. The stripper took my penis out and rubbed it on her vagina for 15 seconds. She then stroked my penis for 1 min. 4 days later I started to have hot flashes, swollen lymph nodes in my groin, back ache, headaches, and some reddened areas on my penis that were sore to the touch. No vesicles, blisters or sores. These symptoms have remained through today. I do have oral HSV-1 and I have been taking 1 gram daily for suppression for about 2 years ( I was getting a cold sore about every 4 – 6 weeks) My last IGG test was negative for HSV2 and my last sexual contact was at least 6 months prior to that blood test. I took extra Valtrex before and after incident.
I saw my PCP. He said that my groin lymph nodes were “swollen but non-impressive”. They were primarily on the left side but some on the right too. He said the red areas on my penis did not look like typical Herpes. After some thinking, he did state that many people have atypical symptoms and the reddened skin on my penis might be that. He suggested an IGM test. I told him that from what I have read here that this test was not useful. I asked if he could swab the red areas and he said that they were not wet and would not yield any results. I was also able to speak to the stripper with whom I had the contact and she denies having genital herpes. Although, she did report a few yeast infections over the years.
In the unlikely event I did contract herpes genitally wouldn’t I expect to see genital lesions with my systemic symptoms? If this were herpes, would not the Valtrex have resolved or prevented any systemic symptoms as well as visible lesions? Do you think any other STD could account for my symptoms?
On November 15, I received a lap dance. The stripper took my penis out and rubbed it on her vagina for 15 seconds. She then stroked my penis for 1 min. 4 days later I started to have hot flashes, swollen lymph nodes in my groin, back ache, headaches, and some reddened areas on my penis that were sore to the touch. No vesicles, blisters or sores. These symptoms have remained through today. I do have oral HSV-1 and I have been taking 1 gram daily for suppression for about 2 years ( I was getting a cold sore about every 4 – 6 weeks) My last IGG test was negative for HSV2 and my last sexual contact was at least 6 months prior to that blood test. I took extra Valtrex before and after incident.
I saw my PCP. He said that my groin lymph nodes were “swollen but non-impressive”. They were primarily on the left side but some on the right too. He said the red areas on my penis did not look like typical Herpes. After some thinking, he did state that many people have atypical symptoms and the reddened skin on my penis might be that. He suggested an IGM test. I told him that from what I have read here that this test was not useful. I asked if he could swab the red areas and he said that they were not wet and would not yield any results. I was also able to speak to the stripper with whom I had the contact and she denies having genital herpes. Although, she did report a few yeast infections over the years.
In the unlikely event I did contract herpes genitally wouldn’t I expect to see genital lesions with my systemic symptoms? If this were herpes, would not the Valtrex have resolved or prevented any systemic symptoms as well as visible lesions? Do you think any other STD could account for my symptoms?
Thank you Doctor. Give my thanks to Dr. Hook as well
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your anxiety level rose without good reason. Try to move on.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
These are the same questions that Dr. Hook declined to answer in your previous thread, because they are "what if" speculative questions about an essentially impossible situation. Refusal to answer there was not permission to start a superfluous thread on the same topic. You need to work to get your mind off its laser beam focus on genital herpes, which was not possible given the circumstances of the exposure described and taking valacyclovir at the time. Your symptoms are not suggestive of herpes anyway.
I would strongly recommend against having an IgM HSV test. Your judgment of your doctor's herpes knowledge may be accurate; at a minimum, he seems unaware how unreliable IgM testing is. Here is a thread that explains it; although a few years old, the information remains accurate.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Confusiion-over-other-IgM-Herpes-posts/show/248394
My advice is to move on with your life with no concern about genital herpes. You don't have it.
HHH, MD
I would strongly recommend against having an IgM HSV test. Your judgment of your doctor's herpes knowledge may be accurate; at a minimum, he seems unaware how unreliable IgM testing is. Here is a thread that explains it; although a few years old, the information remains accurate.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Confusiion-over-other-IgM-Herpes-posts/show/248394
My advice is to move on with your life with no concern about genital herpes. You don't have it.
HHH, MD
Dr. Hook,
If you do read this post I want to assure you that I trust very much in your assessment of my situation. The new questions came from my interaction with my PCP who seemed very unknowledgeable about HSV and advice and interpretation of systems that seemed to be adds to what you and Dr. Handsfield give. This, as you can tell, caused my anxiety level to rise.
Thank you again
If you do read this post I want to assure you that I trust very much in your assessment of my situation. The new questions came from my interaction with my PCP who seemed very unknowledgeable about HSV and advice and interpretation of systems that seemed to be adds to what you and Dr. Handsfield give. This, as you can tell, caused my anxiety level to rise.
Thank you again
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.
