What are the possiblities?

Here are my series of events.
Monday: Severe itching, kept up all night
Tues: bought vagisil, stopped itching for a little, kept up all night again
Wed: Thought it was a yeast infection, took diflucan and it stopped the itchin, not the pain ( pain could have been from intense scrating inside vagina for past two nights)
Thurs: Took a dose of Monistat to speed up healing time.

Now 4 days later I am still in pain, I have a red rash and it looks like my skin down there is peeling. I also have had "yeast infection like" discharge for a day or two. I have been in intense pain and I dont know if the cuts in my vagina are from me scratching or from something else? Is it possible I over medicated and am now experiencing an allergic reaction? Or could it be genital herpes or some other STD?

The cuts were never blister like and are not oozie. It literally looks like the skin was burned and peeled off. I also have no flu like symptoms.

I have recently starting dating this guy for the past month and a half and we have had unprotected sex twice. He is showing no symptoms nor has he ever had any symptoms of herpes or any STDs and has been checked and come back negative for all STDs.  Sorry this is so long, I have made an appointment with a doctor but I have had severe anxiety over this I just wanted your opinion. Im scared.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

No STD regularly causes such symptoms.  There probably is some small chance you have herpes, given the timing of onset soon after starting a new sexual relationship.  But the symptoms are atypical, and I agree with your own concerns about yeast infection (perhaps due to a yeast resistant to the imidazole drugs like Monistat--such resistant infections are not common but are increasing in frequency in recent years); or an allergic or chemical reaction of some sort.

So keep your appointment, but I don't see much reason to be frightened about the outcome.  Most likely it won't turn out to be herpes or any other STD.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[frkingout]

Thank you, you put my mind as ease somewhat. Still a few last questions,
1)If it is in fact herpes, why all of a sudden are symptoms showing up when we have been sexual for a month and a half? And he has never had any symptoms himself.
2) How long does herpes usually itch for? Is the itching severe? and How long does the pain last usually? From what I've read the herpes sores are only open for a few days and then crust over and heal. Mine are still hurting and raw.
3) My boyfriend said he has had cold sores since he was little. He has not had one since we have been together. Is it possible that he could have given it to me by oral sex even if he didnt have a cold sore?
4) Also another factor is that while this was happening, I shaved down there. Could that have caused cuts and irratation as well?

Sorry so many questions im just driving myself nuts and coming to my own conclusions about things, profession advice might give me some relief.

[lost_in_az]

do research here try mdweb.com type word "herpes" it will explain everything you need to know. I was gonna copy and paste it but to much to post here.
Good Luck!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

As I said, I doubt you have herpes.  You are exactly right about the nature of herpes symptoms in comparison with yours.  ee a health care provider for proper diagnosis. I'll be happy to address your questions about herpes if that's what it turns out to be, but it's pointless to speculate until then.

I don't know anything about the website mentioned by lost_in_az.  But some definitely good ones on herpes are www.ashastd.org; www.cdc.gov/std; www.westoverheights.com; and www.metrokc.gov/health/apu/std.

[Jeremy44]

Herpes usually does not cause itching as a primary symptom and it seems like a yeast infection is a much better answer to your symptoms. Plus herpes never lasts that long, the rash + itching (if those were your only symptoms) would last 7-10 days and then be completely gone. You would have no symptoms, nothing, zip, zilch, nada in between of the next outbreak a few months later. I wouldn't worry too much about herpes being your problem.

[frkingout]

So I went to the doctor today. Results werent good. She took one look at me and said "well you have just about figured it out, looks like herpes" Ive been hysterical all day and so has my boyfriend. I told my mom about it and shes being really supportive and caring about it all. So now I can ask some more specifics:

1) My doctor put me on Valtrex, 2 a day for 7 days as well as an ointment I guess to speed up healing. After I finish the doses should this be cleared up?
2) Im suppose to get my period in a week, does it interfere with wearing tampons? If so should I skip it?


Emotionally, Im having a hard time dealing with the words "herpes" even though i am aware that it causes no other health problem and if anything is an inconvience in my life. Im trying to stay positive and not be down about it. My gyn is very dry and unnurturing and didnt really talk a lot about it with me just handed me some meds which really upset me as well. Any positive words will be greatly appreciated...

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I'm sorry it turned out to be herpes.  But before being absolutely certain, you should wait on the lab test results.  Visual diagnosis by a knowledgeable provider is very accurate, but not perfect.  (You don't say it, but presumably your provider did the appropriate tests.  I certainly hope so!).  In any case, congratulations on having a level-headed perspective.  As you already know, it isn't nearly as big a deal in the long run as it seems right now--although undoubtedly you are experiencing a disconnect between what you know and how you feel.

You also might consider phoning the American Social Health Association (www.ashastd.org) to take advantage of their truly excellent telphone counseling services.  Also, on the ASHA website you will find links to purchase the book Understanding Herpes by Charles Ebel, formerly with ASHA; it is an excellent resource to help infected people deal with genital herpes, from both the medical and social perspectives.

This probably doesn't need to be said, but of course your boyfriend needs to be examined and tested for HSV.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[frkingout]

She did do a swab of my cuts and is doing a culture, I should get the results of which strain I have within the week I hope.. Yes he is going to get tested ASAP but he is also fully supportive of it all.  Though I know this isnt my fault, and im not dirty for having it, the stigma still sucks.  Now that I am more educated about it I don't see it as THAT bad, but I would still hate for anyone to find out :( Anyhow, your words are greatly appriciated, Thanks.

[frkingout]

OK so test results came back from the culture the doctor took today, NEGATIVE!??!?! I took meds and all seems to be ok? Im so confused, my boyfriend still has no symptoms, yet to have a test yet. OK next question, my littel brother (7 y/o) has developed a bad rash on his anus, that has itched and hurt badly for the past few nights. Im worried whatever i had I gave to him. Obviously would have no contact with him other then hand to hand ( like holding hands and such) but who knows hwere a 7 year olds hand goes. Anyways my family is in Italy and i am worried that it was wrong and i gave it to my brother?> Is that even possible!?!? We are think it could have been pinworm?> Possible?!??! Could a culture on an open break in the skin be wrong? Ahhh

[frkingout]

Hey Doc ok so heres the newest I need answers ASAP!!

1) I am in Europe with my family for 2 weeks so you are my only words of wisdom and help

So I got the results of my HSV culture (where she swabed open lesions) and it came back NEGATIVE.. my bf still has no signs or symptoms. I seem to be getting better.

Now, my brother (7 years old) has developed a bad rash on his anus (itching and painful). It has lasted for about 5 days on and off. Obviously, the only contact we have is holding hands, ect (only hand to hand contact). Is there ANYWAY that the culture was a false negative and i have passed this on to him? I am so worried. I know it sounds so far fetched but could I have touched myself, touched his hand, and he touch his anus and gotten herpes???

What else could this be? My anus has been itchy as well and Im wondering if it could possibly be pinworm?? I have no clue , we have no doctor or anything. PLEASE HELP.