wondering about vaginal bumps

[confusedgirl25]

I am normally a fit and healthy, monogamous 26 year old female, but recently fell ill and was administered IV antibiotics for about a week. One week after stopping treatment, I developed several (as in more than 5) canker sores in my mouth, on the tongue, roof, and inner bottom lip. I also developed a severe bladder infection. Soon thereafter ( 3 days ago) I woke up  to a severely burning vulva, and within 24 hours many somewhat large, painful red bumps  all over the inner labia and vaginal opening. I was immediately scared that it was herpes, and in so much pain that walking was difficult. I went to the doctor, who assumed I have a yeast infection (my first) because of the recent antibiotics, he also confirmed that I have a bladder infection/ UTI from a urine test. Upon examination of the bumps, the doctor referred to them as "superficial ulcers" that did not resemble textbook herpes, but still could possibly be. The bumps are not in a "crop", and do not have "vesicles". He couldn't do a herpes swab because there are no blisters. The oral canker sores and bladder infection were assumed to be unrelated, but suspicious. We did lab work for bacterias and common STDs. So, right now I am being treated with Macrobid for a bladder infection, Valtrex for possible HSV, and a cream yeast infection treatment. I  was given a hospital-grade topical ointment containing lidocain for the burn. The doctor said that regardless of what the problem is, it should be gone in a few days. I am very unhappy with this conclusion, as I want to know for sure if I have HSV or not, obviously. I am also concerned that the oral ulcers, although they are not cold sores or fever blisters, have something to do with the vaginal ones, and maybe the blood in the urine. I am wondering if there is anyway to find out for sure whats going on, or if there is anything else I should be tested for.

[auntiejessi]

Were you in the hospital when you got the iv antibiotics?  If you were, ask your doc about MRSA.

You could have yeast in your mouth as well, since you were on antibiotics for so long, and at such a high dose.

Did you have a catheter?  Bladder infections are common with those.

If this is herpes, it wouldn't be causing the blood in your urine.  Also, ask your doc to do a PCR swab on the symptoms.  Its more sensitive than a regular viral culture, and can pick up herpes without blisters being present.  If he says he doesn't have the swabs, ask him to get them.

AJ

[confusedgirl25]

thanks. Im going back for my lab results thursday and will ask for a swab. The bumps have still not blistered, and its been four days. they seem to be getting slightly bigger, harder and more painful. kind of like pimples with no head.do you have any idea how long this might last. if it is herpes, how many days on valtrex (2X500mg twice daily) until I see an improvement in symptoms. Do you know how long it takes macrobid to be effective with the UTI?

[auntiejessi]

Hard bumps aren't herpes.  You need to follow up with your doc on this, especially if they are getting bigger on valtrex, not smaller.

You should see some improvement with the macrobid in a few days.

Aj

[confusedgirl25]

Yesterday the vaginal pimples ulcerated and pain slightly subsided. I received my test results today. The nurse told me over the phone that the swab came back positive for HSV2 and as well my blood tested positive for HSV2 antibodies.

My partner and I first began having unprotected sex about a month ago. He has never been tested for STDs, but said that he has never had any symptoms, Since i have not had any previous symptoms of herpes in the past, the nurse said I probably contracted it from my new partner. However, this confuses me because I already have the antibodies. Could I have formed the antibodies during this initial outbreak already? Maybe, have I been carrying the incubated virus and only had the outbreak because of my weakened immune system? I will have my partner be tested anyway, but if he comes back positive, is it ok if we have unprotected sex if neither of us has an outbreak, or will we risk reinfecting each other or making our virus worse? Should I request a daily dose of valtrex, or should I wait to see if I even have another outbreak?

[auntiejessi]

The only way you'll know if you had it before is if your new partner has a test done.  If he's negative, you know its not a new infection.

If he's positive, then you might not know who had it first, or if you came to this relationship and both of you had it, or you got it from him.

Many people will develop antibodies by 3 weeks, so its hard to know exactly.

You should google the herpes handbook from Westover Heights Clinic, and read that.  It can help explain all this better.  You can download it or read it online, and its all free.  :)

AJ

[confusedgirl25]

thanks auntiejessie, you are the best. i will have a look at that handbook.