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Severe Prolonged genitial herpes 1
3 1/2 months ago I received unprotected oral sex. Few weeks later got what I thought was fungal or heat rash. Was out in sun/beer/salsa enjoy the warm spring.That lasted 3 weeks before the classic grayish bumps appeared. At this point I went to a lab and got blood antibody tested -high/HSV1 genitial herpes. Was std panel tested 8 years ago and it showed I was never exposed to either herpes then.Went to clinic.He saw the classic look 7 days w/ 200 mg 5x day. Never really cleared up. Seemed to only treat the tip of the iceberg.Repeated same dose. Now I am on day 8 out of 10days on 800mg 5xday.Over the last week lots of stuff coming out. Repeat of blisters many times. Some areas clearing but redness still on my scrotum.Have blisters on one side yet . Creases between groin/legs are discolored. Was tested a month ago for std panel HIV was realitive to negative cutoff. I have a few red dots various places on my body showing up at times lightening and the coming back at times.. Arm pits are slightly red. I've been suffering with this for months. Am worn out. Was going to go to a lab that does a free HIV w/results in 20 minutes tomorrow since it's been a month.This morning it seems to be less red but I still feel it in the scrotum. Pain is almost all gone.If the blisters and some redness still exists on last day on meds I was planning to go back to clinic.1.What should be my next step? 2.Am I looking at intravenous ? 3.Is that a hospital only situation? 4.Could another 10 day 800mg do it. I am not sure if my worrying is along with delayed treatment, sun, beer, high arginine foods have just allowed this thing to dig in or if my first HIV was good because it was just to early. Could use some insight advice.
Thanks
Thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
And by the way, there is nothing in your symptoms that suggests HIV. And HIV doesn't make herpes behave the way you describe for your genital area rash. I'm not clear on when your HIV test was done, i.e. how long after your last sexual exposure. But oral sex is safe with respect to HIV; it's almost never transmitted that way. Anyway, if your HIV test was done more than 4-6 weeks after your last exposure, then for sure you don't have it. If it was done sooner than that, you can have another test after a few weeks. You can expect it to be negative.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum.
Whatever is going on in your genital area, groin, etc, it is NOT herpes. Here is why: the first herpes symptoms generally appear within 1-2 weeks of exposure, not several weeks later; "gray bumps" don't sound like herpes; herpes outbreaks never last more than 1-2 weeks at a time; outbreaks always clear up with anti-HSV drugs like acyclovir; herpes never causes outbreaks more often than every 4-6 weeks (and with genital HSV-1, most outbreaks are a year apart); and between outbreaks, there are no symptoms at all. This sounds like some sort of bacterial or fungal infection, or perhaps a different kind of skin rash, maybe just bad jock itch. I can't speculate beyond that.
That said, your positive blood test result is reliable evidence that you are infected with HSV-1. But there is no test that can show the infection is genital. The large majority of HSV-1 infections involve the mouth, usually with no symptoms. Mostly HSV-1 is acquired in childhood, although apparently not in your case, if you indeed had a negative HSV-1 blood test 8 years ago. I suppose it is possible you have genital HSV-1 in addition to something else -- but herpes itself simply cannot do all the things you describe and definitely is not the main problem here.
So you need to find a health care provider who understands herpes and other STDs. A dermatologist would be an excellent choice. Probably you will find you have an easily treatable problem, once an accurate diagnosis is made. Please return with a comment to let me know what the doctor says after you have been examined.
Regards-- HHH, MD
Whatever is going on in your genital area, groin, etc, it is NOT herpes. Here is why: the first herpes symptoms generally appear within 1-2 weeks of exposure, not several weeks later; "gray bumps" don't sound like herpes; herpes outbreaks never last more than 1-2 weeks at a time; outbreaks always clear up with anti-HSV drugs like acyclovir; herpes never causes outbreaks more often than every 4-6 weeks (and with genital HSV-1, most outbreaks are a year apart); and between outbreaks, there are no symptoms at all. This sounds like some sort of bacterial or fungal infection, or perhaps a different kind of skin rash, maybe just bad jock itch. I can't speculate beyond that.
That said, your positive blood test result is reliable evidence that you are infected with HSV-1. But there is no test that can show the infection is genital. The large majority of HSV-1 infections involve the mouth, usually with no symptoms. Mostly HSV-1 is acquired in childhood, although apparently not in your case, if you indeed had a negative HSV-1 blood test 8 years ago. I suppose it is possible you have genital HSV-1 in addition to something else -- but herpes itself simply cannot do all the things you describe and definitely is not the main problem here.
So you need to find a health care provider who understands herpes and other STDs. A dermatologist would be an excellent choice. Probably you will find you have an easily treatable problem, once an accurate diagnosis is made. Please return with a comment to let me know what the doctor says after you have been examined.
Regards-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
But I'm glad things are better, although I don't understand why you are more able than before to "eat regular foods". I agree with your plan to see the dermatologist again if symptoms that you consider suggestive of herpes reappear -- preferably within 1-2 days of onset, especially if there is anything blister-like. But for now I think you can safely assume you do not have and never had genital herpes. For example, if I were in your situation, I would not feel it necessary to inform future sex partners of possible herpes.
Hi Dr.H,
My appointment was 2 days after my last e-mail. The herpes type of things were gone. I was happy to finally have some relief though it didn't allow the dermatologist to test. I showed him the red spots that seem to be different than the blisters,. He gave me a fungazide cream and cortisone cream to put on all areas. I go tomorrow to follow up. Have more red spots in groin than before but herpes type painful blisters have not returned. Basically I'm in nowhere. However, I now have a place to go to get a culture- should the blisters come back. That puts my mind at ease.Will write if it shows up and gets tested. Also able eat regular foods again and be outside.
Thanks
My appointment was 2 days after my last e-mail. The herpes type of things were gone. I was happy to finally have some relief though it didn't allow the dermatologist to test. I showed him the red spots that seem to be different than the blisters,. He gave me a fungazide cream and cortisone cream to put on all areas. I go tomorrow to follow up. Have more red spots in groin than before but herpes type painful blisters have not returned. Basically I'm in nowhere. However, I now have a place to go to get a culture- should the blisters come back. That puts my mind at ease.Will write if it shows up and gets tested. Also able eat regular foods again and be outside.
Thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
An ID specialist would be fine, if your doctor and PA recommend it. They may have a specialist in mind who they think would be quite capabile of figuring this out. Discuss the options with them and follow their advice.
I'm sorry you're so upset. But I remain convinced herpes isn't the problem here -- or at least not the only problem, as discussed above. So from that aspect, there is no rationale for being "disgusted" or so very "frustrated/anxious".
This is my last comment until after you see either the ID specialist or dermatologist and have a definite final diagnosis to report.
I'm sorry you're so upset. But I remain convinced herpes isn't the problem here -- or at least not the only problem, as discussed above. So from that aspect, there is no rationale for being "disgusted" or so very "frustrated/anxious".
This is my last comment until after you see either the ID specialist or dermatologist and have a definite final diagnosis to report.
Have Made an appointment with a dermatologist. Stopped meds after 10 days(5x day800mg) After another patch of blisters the groin area settled down and except for brown/red areas it seemed to be clearing.Had my first feeling of relief in months. However 2 days later I noticed pain in anal area. I checked w/ mirror and now see blisters in the area of my anus. I am so frustrated/anxious , and disgusted. (I received oral sex with hand job.) Would dermatologist still be my best bet or based on new developments should infectious disease appointment be made? Dr. & Phy. Asst.were talking about that dept. until I mentioned the dermatologist idea. Appointment is for this Wed.but I would work towards getting an appt. w/ infectious diseases as it could take awhile . I am running out of time as I will soon go back to work. Can't imagine possibly functioning as I get frustrated very easily since this has occurred. Thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Herpes zoster (shingles) might be another possibility. Otherwise I have nothing more to say until you report the dermatologist's opinion.
It was combo oral/hand manipulation. Alot of saliva on the scrotum which I thought that was why it settled there most. But one thing is sure I NEVER had any blisters or bumps on my penis. I told them that. They said that didn't mean anything. However, I never had any signs of genitial herpes before this situation. Certainly looks just like pictures except the healing part as it just keeps on regenerating itself. Maybe fungal/herpes. It is now settling down as blister clusters are starting to dry out on the right side and no pain. Thanks for pointing me in a direction that seems to make alot of sense. Going for the test,clinic, and asking about a dermatologist. I may be able to get an appt. with one I saw many years ago for alopecia areata.
Thanks again
Thanks again
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I remain skeptical that HSV is the main problem here. And if herpes is part of the problem, most likely it is a recurrence of a longstanding problem, not necessarily from the oral sex event 3+ months ago. Initial herpes outbreaks almost always involve the point of maximum contact and friction, i.e. in this case the penis. If there was direct oral contact with the spot where the scrotal blisters showed, that might indeed have been an initial infection. But as I said above, "several weeks" is too long an incubation period; it's usually 3-5 days, uncommonly 10-20 days, never longer than that. And failure of the problem to clear up entirely on acyclovir or related drugs also is powerful evidence against herpes.
Most ID specialists (I am one myself) aren't extensively trained in skin infections and other cutaneous problems. A dermatologist definitely would be my first choice if I were in your situation. Let me know what s/he says.
Most ID specialists (I am one myself) aren't extensively trained in skin infections and other cutaneous problems. A dermatologist definitely would be my first choice if I were in your situation. Let me know what s/he says.
I don't think I was clear in my description of what took place. I though she said she had a cold- not cold blister. The music was loud and apparently she had a cold blister. I first notice a crescent of bumps on my scotum.No sensation. Weeks later I got what I thought was fungal. Zinc paste usally clear it in a week but after 2 weeks I was concern.It didn't dry it up and the crease between my legs stayed moist. I notice what looked like a red bump rash on my left thigh(heat rash) A week later I got fluid filled blisters on the right of my scrotum.Internet pictures on rashes looked just like herpesso I went to a clinic they weren't equipped.Went to std health bureau but only open 1 day a week for 3 hours. Went to anylab and got full panel std. Took lab result to clinic and showed the fluid filled blisters to physican assistant who before seeing them insisted I could relax-no way herpes. Once he saw them he immediately apologized. I started treatment twice with him . Had to go back got the 800 mg from a doctor I usually see for health issues. So a dermatolist would be my focus. I was starting to consider going 90 miles to a top university hospital that has a lot of infectious disease specialists. Somewhere -where whatever it is can be dealt from one dept. to another.
Thanks
Thanks
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.
