genital herpes

I have never had sexual intercourse or oral sex of any kind. In the past two weeks, my boyfriend has "fingered" me a few times, the last time being about 5 days ago, but other than hand to genital, there has been nothing. Two days ago, I thought I was getting sick because of my very swollen glands in my throat and neck, and because of general achiness of my body. I just recently noticed pain in my vaginal area, and when looking, I have multiple scabs around the opening. I am really worried I have genital herpes. Can it be passed somehow without any genital to genital or oral to genital contact??

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Herpes is rarely acquired without intercourse or oral sex.  However, your symptoms sound classical for that disease.  If your boyfriend has oral herpes (cold sores), that might explain your getting both sore throat from oral transmission and genital lesions, the latter maybe from saliva on his hands.

However, all this could be entirely coincidental with the sexual exposures you describe; non-STD viral infections and other conditions might be responsible.

In any case, go to a health care provider and do it soon, preferably today or tomorrow.  The sooner the better, in terms of making an accurate diagnosis.

Good luck.  Post a follow-up message and let me know how this turns out.

HHH, MD

[yo297]

A related discussion, Herpes from saliva on genital??? was started.