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Possible Hsv2 infection?
About 5 weeks ago I made a mistake and had unprotected sex with someone I've known for awhile. The sex lasted about 30 seconds. I feel horrible as I have a boyfriend. Two days after incident: extreme burning and vaginal itching. A few days later i was diagnosed with a yeast infection. Was put on an oral pill for 4 days.Two weeks after incident: burning, itching, and vaginal pressure. Dr tests for bv, and bacterial stds. Negative. I develop a lower backache and pelvic pressure that is worse when I am sitting or laying down. Still feeling a lot of vaginal discomfort. I also Developed a UTI a day after sex with boyfriend and was given cipro. Last week: Low grade temps 99.5, fatigue, no appetite, shaky legs that are painful to walk on. Still feeling vaginal discomfort. Went to primary dr who did some blood work, and he said that it shows a possible recent mono infection. This week: went to ob for vaginal discomfort (still) and she said there are no signs of any type of infection. She ordered bloodwork to test for stds. Still having leg pain that makes my legs feel shaky, as well as the back of my calves feeling very sore. Lately this pain has turned into a tingly and pin and needle sensation in my feet.
I am constantly fixated on my symptoms as I am usually extremely healthy.
I have not observed any of the typical lesions associated with HSV2, but I've read that they won't always develop. I also have lower abdominal pain. My boyfriend (who I regretfully slept with unprotected) has complained also of leg pain, and lower abdominal pain in the same location as me. Does this sound like a hsv2 infection? I also read that my test results may not be accurate regarding hsv infections because they are being done too close to exposure. I read that mono and herpes are somewhat in the same family, so with my initial bloodwork showing "possible mono infection" could that actually be picking up a herpes infection?
I am constantly fixated on my symptoms as I am usually extremely healthy.
I have not observed any of the typical lesions associated with HSV2, but I've read that they won't always develop. I also have lower abdominal pain. My boyfriend (who I regretfully slept with unprotected) has complained also of leg pain, and lower abdominal pain in the same location as me. Does this sound like a hsv2 infection? I also read that my test results may not be accurate regarding hsv infections because they are being done too close to exposure. I read that mono and herpes are somewhat in the same family, so with my initial bloodwork showing "possible mono infection" could that actually be picking up a herpes infection?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You do not need further testing. You should believe these results and move forward.
No further responses- for sure this time. eWH
No further responses- for sure this time. eWH
Hello Dr,
I hope that it's acceptable that I am adding to this thread after you stated it was done. I apologize for my paranoid induced last post. It was a rough day, and my mind was not in the right place.
I just got done with a follow up at my dr, and the results are in from my work. I was hoping you could weigh in on them please.
Everything was negative (HiV, Hepatitis) but I did test positive for HSV1 (2.5). My HSV 2 was negative at .91. My Dr said I should retest in 2-3 months for a more concrete result. I absolutely cannot imagine doing this again in a few months. At this point, would you recommend further testing in a few months, or would you be confident in just letting it go and moving on?
Thank you! I apologize in advance if it wasn't acceptable to post further messages in this thread.
I hope that it's acceptable that I am adding to this thread after you stated it was done. I apologize for my paranoid induced last post. It was a rough day, and my mind was not in the right place.
I just got done with a follow up at my dr, and the results are in from my work. I was hoping you could weigh in on them please.
Everything was negative (HiV, Hepatitis) but I did test positive for HSV1 (2.5). My HSV 2 was negative at .91. My Dr said I should retest in 2-3 months for a more concrete result. I absolutely cannot imagine doing this again in a few months. At this point, would you recommend further testing in a few months, or would you be confident in just letting it go and moving on?
Thank you! I apologize in advance if it wasn't acceptable to post further messages in this thread.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are being paranoid. Of course different tests take different amounts of time to come back. Please get a grip on youself and move forward.
This will end this thread. EWH
This will end this thread. EWH
Hi Dr
If I may, I have a quick follow up question. I called my dr to see if they had my blood results back, and she said that they only had the portion of my bloodwork that tests for the pregnancy hormone. Is it normal for bloodwork to come back in stages? Granted, my blood was drawn a few days ago, so maybe some of the std tests take longer to run? Of course my mind is racing thinking that they actually have it all back, but they won't tell me over the phone. I have an appointment Monday, but this weekend will be torture waiting!!
Also, I have a vaginal discharge (pure water...no consistency at all). This is highly irregular for me. This has been said to be a symptom of HSV.
I'm so sorry that I stated I was going to try to move past this in a previous post, but recent developments have me in a panic!!
Thank you so very much for your understanding and patience with me!
If I may, I have a quick follow up question. I called my dr to see if they had my blood results back, and she said that they only had the portion of my bloodwork that tests for the pregnancy hormone. Is it normal for bloodwork to come back in stages? Granted, my blood was drawn a few days ago, so maybe some of the std tests take longer to run? Of course my mind is racing thinking that they actually have it all back, but they won't tell me over the phone. I have an appointment Monday, but this weekend will be torture waiting!!
Also, I have a vaginal discharge (pure water...no consistency at all). This is highly irregular for me. This has been said to be a symptom of HSV.
I'm so sorry that I stated I was going to try to move past this in a previous post, but recent developments have me in a panic!!
Thank you so very much for your understanding and patience with me!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm pleased that you found my comments helpful. EWH
Thank you once again for your response. I agree that you are correct in saying that by me playing "Internet Dr" I am just adding to my anxiety. I am beyond frusterated that I've put myself in this situation to begin with, but this has just been consuming every hour of my day, and frankly it is exhausting.
Per your professional opinion and advice, and for my sanity, I will accept the test result and move on from this situation. I am experiencing for the first time what extreme stress and anxiety can do to the body, and honestly it isn't pleasant and can be quiet scary.
Thank you once again for your time. It is an appreciated
Thank you once again
Per your professional opinion and advice, and for my sanity, I will accept the test result and move on from this situation. I am experiencing for the first time what extreme stress and anxiety can do to the body, and honestly it isn't pleasant and can be quiet scary.
Thank you once again for your time. It is an appreciated
Thank you once again
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The test for herpes are not perfect and are not recommended for testing in the way you have used it. At 5 weeks about two thirds of persons with newly acquired herpes will have positive tests. However, when you combine that fact that it is statistically unlikely that your partner had herpes, that even if he did, transmission is unlikely, that you have not had symptoms and the negative test results, the composite conclusion, is that you did not get herpes. There really is little need for additional testing in this situation- the results will not change.
Although herpes are the viruses that cause mono are in the same family, the tests would not mistake herpes for mono.
Finally, my strong advice is for you to stay of the internet on these topics. It will just fuel your anxiety with mis-information. EWH
Although herpes are the viruses that cause mono are in the same family, the tests would not mistake herpes for mono.
Finally, my strong advice is for you to stay of the internet on these topics. It will just fuel your anxiety with mis-information. EWH
Thank you for your response. I greatly appreciate your wisdom!! If my hsv test comes back negative, can I trust that result so early after exposure? Also, do you see any connection between a possible recent mono infection in my bloodwork actually picking up an hsv infection since they both are within the herpes family? I was just shocked at the mono find in my blood as i havent had any classic mono symptoms lately. I'm an medial Internet addict, and I'm sure this has been to my detriment!!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to our Forum and thanks for your efforts to remain within 2000 characters, it really does help us. The exposure you describe, a single, brief unprotected exposure puts you at rather low risk for herpes as I will explain below. I'm pleased that you have ruled out other STDs.
Risk for HSV. While genital herpes is present in about 1 in 5 Americans, most of whom do not know it. This means that most people do not have HSV. Further, in the absence of lesions, we estimate that the risk of any single exposure, IF your partner was infected, is less than 1 in 1000. Thus the odds are very much in your favor for not getting herpes form any single mis-step. In addition, the symptoms you mention are in no way suggestive of HSV despite the substantial misinformation available on the internet. In your own case, your symptoms began sooner than typical of HSV (initial HSV symptoms do not occur earlier than 4 days after exposure) and they do not persist as long as yours appear to have, particularly in the absence of lesions.
My guess is that your guilt and anxiety over this exposure are contributing in large part to your discomforts and difficulties, actually causing some of them (this could explain the "pins and needles" and abdominal cramps) or acting to amplify symptoms that might not worry you so much in another circumstance.
My advice- try not to worry. You have been tested for other STDs and are negative and there is little in the information you provide to suggest that your symptoms are due to HSV. I would not test further for HSV either as the results are more likely to be misleading than helpful. EWH
Risk for HSV. While genital herpes is present in about 1 in 5 Americans, most of whom do not know it. This means that most people do not have HSV. Further, in the absence of lesions, we estimate that the risk of any single exposure, IF your partner was infected, is less than 1 in 1000. Thus the odds are very much in your favor for not getting herpes form any single mis-step. In addition, the symptoms you mention are in no way suggestive of HSV despite the substantial misinformation available on the internet. In your own case, your symptoms began sooner than typical of HSV (initial HSV symptoms do not occur earlier than 4 days after exposure) and they do not persist as long as yours appear to have, particularly in the absence of lesions.
My guess is that your guilt and anxiety over this exposure are contributing in large part to your discomforts and difficulties, actually causing some of them (this could explain the "pins and needles" and abdominal cramps) or acting to amplify symptoms that might not worry you so much in another circumstance.
My advice- try not to worry. You have been tested for other STDs and are negative and there is little in the information you provide to suggest that your symptoms are due to HSV. I would not test further for HSV either as the results are more likely to be misleading than helpful. EWH
Thank you in advance for your reply. I apologize if my initial post seems choppy...I had trouble keeping it within the 2000 character limit.
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.
