Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

So Confused..

I am concerned that I may have contracted Herpes type 2: genital herpes. Please PLEASE help me, I am so confused.

I am a 21 year old female. On November 10th 2005, I met a friend of one of my friends at a bar.  I had just met this guy that night.  I know nothing of his sexual history other than I have the impression he is very promiscuous. He showed no oral lesions. I did not ever see his penis; it was too dark.

We got very drunk and ended up having a very heated make-out session for at least 2 hours (off and on).  In this time frame, he fingered me vigorously to the point that it hurt and I noticed slight blood spotting in my underwear the next morning.  He fingered my anus (I had never experienced this before). He performed oral sex on me briefly.  We did not have vaginal or anal intercourse.

He did not have a condom during any of the time.  Both of our genitals were exposed off and on during the 2 hours.  Not the entire time but at some points.  I can't remember very well about specific contact, but I do know I was laying on top of him for some of it (clothes on or not-I don't know).

I am concerned that I may have acquired Genital Herpes type 2 from him because our genitals might have come into contact.

My symptoms:
About 10 days after the initial incident, I started feeling sick; flu-like sick.  I had feverish waves where I would feel hot for brief amounts of time but then it would go away.  I felt weird pricks/pains in my hands, legs, and feet.  I had alot of discomfort in my anus!! I felt achy especially in the joints....

please see post below for remainder!!
13 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
thank you monkeyflower, i think im going to take your advice and just move on. youve been so helpful to me, thanks again :)
Helpful - 0
79258 tn?1190630410
I was suspicious because I'd had a zillion yeast infections in my life, but none that were painful. So I asked my doctor to do a blood test, and it turned out I had both. I don't remember ever having a cold sore, but since most people have HSV1, I kinda expected that. I wasn't surprised about having HSV2, either, because I have a fairly high-risk sex life and I was quite careless when I was younger.

It hasn't been an issue in my life at all. I think the real problem for most people is the stigma of having a STD. In reality, if you caught HSV from someone sneezing on you, it would be treated like the non-event it usually is. But our society has serious sexuality issues, so the fact that it's sexually transmitted makes it a big deal.

I swear, though, you really don't sound like you have HSV, and your risk was *minimal* at best. If you do have HSV, I bet you a zillion dollars it's not from that encounter. It's just not that easy to contract :-) I'd talk with another doctor to see about getting a blood test, just for your own peace of mind (not because I think you have any risk), and then just let it go. But if you feel you can't let this go, and it continues to occupy your thoughts and affect your life, then I'd consider seeing a counselor to help you move past this.

I wish you the best, and hope you feel better soon!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
just one more question monkeyflower.. I hope you don't mind. When you were first diagnosed with Herpes type 2, how did it come up since you didn't have/don't have typical blisters? Did you suspect Herpes from a person? Was your gyno very familiar with Herpes and suspected it? Did you ask for a Herpes blood test just as a standard STD screening and it came up postive??

Once again, thank you monkeyflower and everyone else who has responded. This has been plaguing me; I cannot get it out of my head that I have Herpes and I've been freaking out for the last two months.. :(
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
How does a NP test for yeast?? Upon visual inspection and whatever normal testing is done in an annual pap exam, the NP said I was normal-fine.

My skin doesn't have rashes. It's mostly pain or irritation that i feel in the creases of my groin area where the legs meet my outer labia. I do have red little bumps there from time to time off and on. They're scattered and do not look like blisters. That combined with the NP from the STD screening visually looking at one and telling me it isn't herpes, I am assuming they are folliculitus.

But why has this irritation which is more on the mild side, but definitely noticeable.. why is it still hanging around? I just want my vagina to feel normal again.

I don't think it's yeast because it isn't localized inside my vagina and it doesn't involve intense itching or any itching really at all.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If you had all that testing completed Im sure all is well could be just the flu! Wait and see if the symptoms come back and go back to your doctor if your feeling unsure.
One thing in this day and age you dont know what you can pick up from someone! Becareful one nights fun can turn into more than one night!
Helpful - 0
79258 tn?1190630410
Nothing about your symptoms makes me think of herpes. Do you shave your pubic hair? It could be ingrown hairs, or irritation from your pantyline. The anal issues are probably either a hemmorhoid or fissure - you can ask your doctor to check it if you're worried. Also, your symptoms might be anxiety about your risks, amplifying normal bodily feelings. If you're really worried, ask for a HerpeSelect herpes blood test.

But if it makes you feel better, the risks of contracting herpes in any single encounter are really quite low. The risks of male-to-female transmission are only 8-10%/year - and that's over a *full year* of regular (meaning frequency, not any particular act) sex. If you do have herpes, my guess would be you probably didn't get it from this encounter.

You might want to post this on the STD board for advice from Dr. Handsfield - or at least read through the older posts and the FAQ for more info :-)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I think you will be okay too!! It's so good that all other tests were negative. Just think, there are worse things.  I contacted warts when I was 17 years old, they never came back and I'm now 25.
I'd say if you have an std clinic, get tested there, or else go to a reputable walk-in and get hsv 1 and 2 tests.
you are okay!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your post! I've been watching this board and reading hours upon hours trying to learn and figure out what is going on with me.. Iv'e noticed your posts before and they've always been helpful, so thanks!

Maybe you can clarify for me:  

when someone has genital herpes type 2 and are having only mild conditions, what does this mean?

Could this imply, only the flu and aches?
Is it maybe just one or two blisters (clearly blisters not other bumps) not a full blown outbreak?
Do mild symptoms last a shorter amount of time?
Or do mild symptoms come and go??

This whole disease is all too confusing to me..  

I agree with you on the poor words (about testing) from the doctor, I think she was a little harsh with me. My biggest concern is spreading it to others especially my boyfriend who was home for two weeks over christmas... :(

More bad news, I called PP here and they don't offer any Herpes blood testing. SUCKY.
Helpful - 0
79258 tn?1190630410
Well, I'm not going to make things clearer for you, I bet. I have both HSV1 and 2, and I've never had a recognizable outbreak. I did once have a painful "yeast infection" that I now think might have been an outbreak, but that's it. Some people just never have outbreaks at all.

Generally herpes outbreaks last around a week, with at least a 3-4 week break in between (usually much more). I really don't think anything you describe sounds like herpes, if that helps. I'd suggest posting on the STD board, although it's a $10 donation. Also, there's a great FAQ there that will answer a lot of your questions. However, I certainly wouldn't worry about it in the meantime. You'll be okay :-)
Helpful - 0
79258 tn?1190630410
Also, I have to say I strongly disagree with your NP saying it's pointless to test for herpes. Yes, it's "incurable", but you can treat it, and take steps to protect any HSV negative partners. And as for testing for yeast, they can do a culture - visual inspection probably isn't enough. I think I might consider seeing a different doctor :-)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
To the Hypres Victims:
An infection caused by the herpes virus, characterized by the eruption of painful blisters on the skin is called Herpes Simplex. Herpes simplex virus can lead to the outbreak of infections on the lips, mouth and face (Herpes Simplex Virus type1).
Hypres is the kind of virus and by the help of experianced herbalist we have got the range of Hypres killers.
Dont wait any more get your self Hypres free on discount offer at Herbmark store.
<a href="http://www.herbmark.com/supplement.asp?catid=94">Hypres.com</a>
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If your doctor/nurse practitioner does not feel the need to test you, then chances are you are OK.  Did you doctor ever test you for yeast?  You could possibly have a yeast infection.  Do some research and see if you have some symptoms.  I have been battling recurring yeast infections and you can get a yeast infection of the skin from that.  Some refer to it as jock itch, but my dermotogolist told me it was from my yeast infections.  I had a rash and it was uncomfortable to wear underwear.  With mine, I did not know I even had a yeast infection at times because instead of a cottage cheese discharge, I had what looked like sandpaper or like peeling skin.  It was not as itchy as having tons of cottage cheese like discharge.  Anyway, with a yeast infection, it feels like I have staples inside.  It irritates everything inside and out.  It sounds like it could be that with you.  It makes you feel just terrible.  

Now with the flu like symptoms, perhaps you just has a virus and or flu.  It is that time of the year.  I would discuss these concerns further with your doctor.  But until then, hang in there.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My symptoms:

About 10 days after the initial incident, I started feeling sick; flu-like sick.  I had feverish waves where I would feel hot for brief amounts of time but then it would go away.  I felt weird pricks/pains in my hands, legs, and feet.  I had alot of discomfort in my anus!! I felt achy especially in the joints. Achyness behind my knee caps was the most pronounced.  Also, some achyness down the backs of my legs.  I had a sore throat.  Persistent dry, chapped lips.  Thigh muscle spasms. And, I felt the need to urinate alot.  I was sleeping alot and two nights I woke up in a cold sweat. I also developed some headaches. These symptoms went on for at least 2 weeks until the finally drifted off and went away.  None of the symptoms were ever very severe, mostly mild but very noticeable.  It didn't feel like any run of the mill virus to me.  At the end of the two weeks, I went to the GP and got a mono and strep test; both were negative. The GP gave me no good advice as to what I may have other than some virus possibly.

In the two months following this, I have had a variety of problems with my genital area.  I have had recurring irritation (along my underwear lines) so much that it is uncomfortable at times to wear underwear.  The irritation is always pretty noticeable-It doesn't feel like my normal vagina. Though sometimes it gets worse and then eases up a bit. Before my period last month (December 22-28) I had some slight burning directly inside my vaginal opening. It was uncomfortable and unpleasant for my boyfriend to finger me.  The original discomfort of my anus has returned; it's almost a burning feeling in my butt-hole but not quite.  This also comes and goes. On a visual inspection with a mirror, my anus at times looks purple and swollen. I have been having ongoing folliculitus (which is normal for me- I shave my pubic hair). Additionally, I have skin to pink colored raised bump-like things on my inner thighs on two occasions.  First on my right thigh a month or so ago and today on my left thigh.  They are small, scattered and raised slightly above the skin.  They are not blistery and do not have any watery/mucousy substance with them. Just raised skin and they do not hurt or itch.

I have had STD tests done with the exception of a Herpes blood test.  HIV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia all came back negative.  The nurse practitioner who did my first STD screening looked at a bump and declared it folliculitis (as I said I had above). And told me that Herpes blood testing is pointless because it's expensive, I had no blisters/sores to swab, and also, she said "if I have it, it can't be cured."  On my annual pap smear/exam (Dec 13 and two weeks after the STD screening) I mentioned my concerns about Herpes to the nurse practitioner who didn't see any reason to be nervous. Again the STD tests (same as before) came back negative.

Also, I have not had any burning while I pee.  The only change in my vaginal discharge is that it is less frequent but when I have it it is clear to white colored.

I have been freaking out and SO SO worried that I have gotten Herpes from this guy because my vagina does NOT feel normal.  I have been nervous about this to the point of feeling nauseous.  Please help me!!
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Women's Health Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
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.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.