Herpes from towels?

[FreakeDC]

I have had a harrowing week. After feeling a burning sensation and seeing a bit of discharge and redness between my labia and clitoris, I visited my gyno, who told me she was "suspicious" that I was having a herpes outbreak. After 3 incredibly anxious days of waiting, I heard back from her today that I tested negative both on the vaginal swab and on the blood test I insisted I have done to determine if HSV-2 antibodies were in my system. Because my doc couldn't come up with an answer for my symptoms (apparently it is not a yeast infection, though some, though not terribly significant overgrowth of bacteria was present) she sent me to a more experienced Dr. The Dr. took one look at my vagina and pronounced that it looked like a "classic case" of herpes to her. She suggested that I might have been exposed to herpes in the last 4-8 weeks and it is now showing up. I find this unlikely because I have not had sexual contact with anyone in more than a year and a half. She suggested I could have gotten it from a towel. To be honest, I did share a hotel room with an HSV-2 positive friend of mine, but as I recall we were very careful and she was not having an outbreak at the time. I don't recall using any of her towels and we definitely used different soap. I'm wondering what the likelihood of nonsexual transmission could be. These doctors are scaring me, and I'd like to know if it is for good reason or not.

Also, I have a history of strep B infections and other yeast/bacterial infections, though this time around those things do not appear to be an issue. I'd really like some feedback from someone who has been through something similar.

[murryfrog]

Wow! The exact same thing has just happened to me. I'am freaking out. I haven't gotten the herpes results back yet but i'am currently not sexually active and haven't been for quite some time.

There may have been some towel sharig but i'm pretty sure i was careful and didn't use the same towel. II guess anything is possible though.

It seems though that the herpes infection wouldn't live long outside of the human body and my doc. also said it may be a cut or tear of some sort. She wasn't sure.

anyone, please write back about your thoughts/comments/suggestions.

[free spirit]

I've never heard of anyone getting herpes from a towel.  You need skin to skin contact. I would think if you had an outbreak of herpes going on, there would have been blisters of some kind that were preceede by a tingly or burning sensation in that area.

More than likely the overgrowth of normal bacteria is causing your symptoms.  It's more common than realized.  Did either doc do a  vaginal culture to determine what kind of overgrowth there was?    Are they treating you with anything?    Find another doc. Call around and ask if there is anyone at their office that deals with chronic infections or pelvic pain.

check out  the FAQ section.
  There are some similarities to what you have mentioned and some of the symptoms,   burning, pasty discharge, redness.  It may give you more information on where to look for answers.