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Would like medical opinion
I am a new poster and am hoping to get answers from both a medical professional as well as some of those on the general community board. I am hoping that no one is offended that I am asking on both boards?? I read the 'new member' info. and it said something about not being impatient and posting to both. I am not impatient, but truly would like to hear from both those who have BTDT as well as a medical professional :))>
I had some symptoms several weeks ago that really had me concerned about what I thought was something else (long story), but after getting test results back am looking at other explanations.
Symptoms and context of symptoms:
After an oral encounter with someone, 21 days later, I began having fever, sore throat, over-all 'sick' feeling, and had a burning, itching and tingling pain in my vaginal area (which really this probably began around 10 days after, and gradually getting worse, with the 21 days all of the other stuff coming on and lasting for a week). I went to the doctor and they did an exam, saw no lesions (neither did I the whole time this was going on), ruled out UTI, all other STDs, and bacterial and yeast infections. I STILL have the vaginal sensations, but none of the other. I still see NO lesions, but do have the sensations. They gave me 5 days of acyclovir upon my request, as I was concerned about HSV. It really didn't do anything to help.
At four weeks, I asked about having the HSV testing done, and wound up having the IGG test with a .90 or less (undetectable) for type II and 3.5 for type I. This was AFTER a test two weeks earlier of the IGM of 'unequivocal" results with the combination test, which I later learned was really not the test I should have in the first place! TO my knowledge, I have never had these tests done before so have nothing to compare it to.
My questions:
1. The IGG test was taken after 4 weeks. I was told by the lab (Labcorp) that for a conclusive result it would need to be taken at 6 weeks. Would it be advisable to repeat the test to ensure that the .90 result for type II is accurate? Why does the lab say conclusive after 6 weeks and I keep seeing 3-4 months elsewhere?
2. ALSO, with taking five days of the acicyclor, would this impact the results? I took it about two weeks prior to the test. I searched other posts and see where Valtrex might impact results, but can't find anthing about this particular medication impacting results.
3. Do these symptoms sound like they could be caused by the high HSV I? Are they typical of HSV I? The whole 'no lesions' thing is what is throwing me off, as I've seen where there MUST be lesions for it to truly be HSV?
4. What happens if I never show any lesions? I can NEVER get a culture to find out for sure,right?
5. Any significance to the 'nonequivocal' results two weeks earlier and the fact two weeks later with the other test one was positive?Doesn't this indicate 'recent'?
Thank you for your professional opinions :)!
I had some symptoms several weeks ago that really had me concerned about what I thought was something else (long story), but after getting test results back am looking at other explanations.
Symptoms and context of symptoms:
After an oral encounter with someone, 21 days later, I began having fever, sore throat, over-all 'sick' feeling, and had a burning, itching and tingling pain in my vaginal area (which really this probably began around 10 days after, and gradually getting worse, with the 21 days all of the other stuff coming on and lasting for a week). I went to the doctor and they did an exam, saw no lesions (neither did I the whole time this was going on), ruled out UTI, all other STDs, and bacterial and yeast infections. I STILL have the vaginal sensations, but none of the other. I still see NO lesions, but do have the sensations. They gave me 5 days of acyclovir upon my request, as I was concerned about HSV. It really didn't do anything to help.
At four weeks, I asked about having the HSV testing done, and wound up having the IGG test with a .90 or less (undetectable) for type II and 3.5 for type I. This was AFTER a test two weeks earlier of the IGM of 'unequivocal" results with the combination test, which I later learned was really not the test I should have in the first place! TO my knowledge, I have never had these tests done before so have nothing to compare it to.
My questions:
1. The IGG test was taken after 4 weeks. I was told by the lab (Labcorp) that for a conclusive result it would need to be taken at 6 weeks. Would it be advisable to repeat the test to ensure that the .90 result for type II is accurate? Why does the lab say conclusive after 6 weeks and I keep seeing 3-4 months elsewhere?
2. ALSO, with taking five days of the acicyclor, would this impact the results? I took it about two weeks prior to the test. I searched other posts and see where Valtrex might impact results, but can't find anthing about this particular medication impacting results.
3. Do these symptoms sound like they could be caused by the high HSV I? Are they typical of HSV I? The whole 'no lesions' thing is what is throwing me off, as I've seen where there MUST be lesions for it to truly be HSV?
4. What happens if I never show any lesions? I can NEVER get a culture to find out for sure,right?
5. Any significance to the 'nonequivocal' results two weeks earlier and the fact two weeks later with the other test one was positive?Doesn't this indicate 'recent'?
Thank you for your professional opinions :)!
Grace, I am in absolute misery............going BACK to the doctor tomorrow to be put on something that she feels might help for vulvodynia. She said if I tried Valtrex and it didn't work after five days, then I should feel better about my problem NOT being specific to my positive HSV1 status and that she was going to start me on something for vulvudynia.
I have a day or two here and there with no pain, but it has pretty much been non-stop for almost ten weeks now. I think I've had ONE WEEK with no pain, but other than that, BURNING, throbbing nerve-like pain that also feels kind of raw and itchy.
Questions:
1. Do you agree with the doctor's 'trial and error' with Valtrex and after five days on it, if the problem was due to HSV1 it would have taken away the symptoms?
2. Why can she be so sure that this is vulvodynia when I KNOW that people say HSV1 can present with NO LESIONS (which I don't have) and sometimes no symptoms at all??? I would really like to know WHAT makes everyone so sure (my doctor and even Teri Warren on the experts forum, who I would LOVE to actually go and see in person, but doubt I can go that far) that it absolutely can't be GHSV1, especially when early into this I had flu-like symptoms for a full week along with the pain, itchies, etc.?
I am in PAIN and just want answers. If I can leave GHSV1 alone, then I will...........I just need to make sure I understand WHY everyone seems to think I can rule this out.
I have a day or two here and there with no pain, but it has pretty much been non-stop for almost ten weeks now. I think I've had ONE WEEK with no pain, but other than that, BURNING, throbbing nerve-like pain that also feels kind of raw and itchy.
Questions:
1. Do you agree with the doctor's 'trial and error' with Valtrex and after five days on it, if the problem was due to HSV1 it would have taken away the symptoms?
2. Why can she be so sure that this is vulvodynia when I KNOW that people say HSV1 can present with NO LESIONS (which I don't have) and sometimes no symptoms at all??? I would really like to know WHAT makes everyone so sure (my doctor and even Teri Warren on the experts forum, who I would LOVE to actually go and see in person, but doubt I can go that far) that it absolutely can't be GHSV1, especially when early into this I had flu-like symptoms for a full week along with the pain, itchies, etc.?
I am in PAIN and just want answers. If I can leave GHSV1 alone, then I will...........I just need to make sure I understand WHY everyone seems to think I can rule this out.
vulvodynia is just a fancy word for pain in the genitals. usually we can't figure out what is causing the pain so we just throw some chronic pain medications at it and hope they work and it goes away on its own over time :(
if nothing else, this will get you a referral to a vulvodynia specialist hopefully and they can look a little deeper into this for you.
as I've said previously, no real reason to think this is all due to hsv1.
if nothing else, this will get you a referral to a vulvodynia specialist hopefully and they can look a little deeper into this for you.
as I've said previously, no real reason to think this is all due to hsv1.
Grace, My doctor does not think that my genital symptoms are related to this, as I've had NO lesions and the 'chronic itch and burn' is now going on for EIGHT WEEKS. Negative for BV and yeast, she thinks the strep isn't causing my symptoms because I don't have any discharge, AND she sees no lesions causing her to think HSV1. so she says possibly vulvydonia. Do you agree? Can I rule out HSV1 as being the cause of this since I have had no lesions and my symptoms have went on for so long? I don't recall ever having an oral symptoms even as a child, though I understand not everybody that has oral HSVI one has ever had symptoms. With no outbreaks at either place, I may NEVER know, but just wondering about my chronic itch as I think I could get relief if I knew what I was dealing with and could get the right treatment. It just strikes me as odd that I had that one week of flu-like symptoms right after the incident in question (actually about three weeks later), and then had the + HSV1 with no prior history of oral symptoms that i know of.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
yes strep b will cause symptoms!! we treat it in folks who are symptomatic especially if you had a + urine culture for it.
just continue to be seen every time you have symptoms and hopefully they soon get to the bottom of it all.
just continue to be seen every time you have symptoms and hopefully they soon get to the bottom of it all.
Grace, she did an internal exam and saw nothing, as well as did cultures for yeast and BV. Nothing that they could tell from what they did in the office, though they did send it off for whatever else it is they do. Already did the full STD panel from before which was negative. I guess right now I just don't know what else to do :((( With no lesion, they can't culture anythign to confirm, but this is the second time in 5 weeks I've had this come up, and there are NO lesions, just the burning, itching, and tingly feelings along with flu :(((( Anything else you might want to add that can help? I'm just not sure where to go with this:((( The only thing showing up is the positive HSV1 blood (3.5) and the strep b in urine, which supposedly causes NO symptoms :(( I'm at the end of the road and don't know what to do :((
did you go for your follow up appointment? did they do any further testing?
not likely you would've been seen that often and had a newly acquired hsv1 genital infection and no one noticed it. it typically presents with obvious symptoms at least on the cervix if not elsewhere.
not likely you would've been seen that often and had a newly acquired hsv1 genital infection and no one noticed it. it typically presents with obvious symptoms at least on the cervix if not elsewhere.
Grace, I HAVE NEW INFORMATION!
The person who was involved in this encounter has been tested and tested negative for HSV2, though he was positive for HSV1. This is information I did not have before.
Here are my questions now that I know his status:
1. Assuming he had no questionable exposure within the months of this encounter, his negative HSV2 status means that I could not have it since he doesn't have it, regardless of when I had a test done, correct?
2. Is it still not possible to tell from my test results WHEN I got the HSV1? At the two week post-encounter mark, I had the combined test which I now know is NO GOOD, and it was equivocal at .98. At 4 weeks, I had the IGG test, which showed a 3.5 for HSV1. Does the fact that it was 'equivocal' at week 2 and then positive two weeks later suggest it MIGHT be new? I know it isn't comparing apples to apples with it being two different tests, but still wondering it if might provide insight as to when I got the HSV1.
3. Since I am positive for HSV1, I do NOT recall ever having any noticeable fever blisters. I have NOT had any genital blisters either, though I continue to have problems 'down there' - just not BLISTERS or any visible sores (burning, itching, but negative on ALL cultures for yeast, BV,etc.). Is it not possible that this could still be genital HSV1 without the lesions? I saw Dr. HHHs' comments about 'atypical', but honestly don't know what else this could be.
Thank you for guiding me through this. I'm hoping that since I have more facts now, this might help bring me closer to an answer :)
The person who was involved in this encounter has been tested and tested negative for HSV2, though he was positive for HSV1. This is information I did not have before.
Here are my questions now that I know his status:
1. Assuming he had no questionable exposure within the months of this encounter, his negative HSV2 status means that I could not have it since he doesn't have it, regardless of when I had a test done, correct?
2. Is it still not possible to tell from my test results WHEN I got the HSV1? At the two week post-encounter mark, I had the combined test which I now know is NO GOOD, and it was equivocal at .98. At 4 weeks, I had the IGG test, which showed a 3.5 for HSV1. Does the fact that it was 'equivocal' at week 2 and then positive two weeks later suggest it MIGHT be new? I know it isn't comparing apples to apples with it being two different tests, but still wondering it if might provide insight as to when I got the HSV1.
3. Since I am positive for HSV1, I do NOT recall ever having any noticeable fever blisters. I have NOT had any genital blisters either, though I continue to have problems 'down there' - just not BLISTERS or any visible sores (burning, itching, but negative on ALL cultures for yeast, BV,etc.). Is it not possible that this could still be genital HSV1 without the lesions? I saw Dr. HHHs' comments about 'atypical', but honestly don't know what else this could be.
Thank you for guiding me through this. I'm hoping that since I have more facts now, this might help bring me closer to an answer :)
you can transmit hsv2 from naked outer course but the risk of such is incredibly low.
testing 30 days post encounter makes it impossible to tell if your hsv1 is old or new to be honest ( or orally or genitally too ). about half of folks will test + by that point. typically hsv1 genitally presents with very "classic" and obvious symptoms - painful lesions you wouldn't miss, not just tingling as I said previously. Hsv2 can present more mildly if you already have hsv1 orally prior to hsv2 genital infection but you being seen and no one seeing any obvious lesions internally or externally makes it unlikely it's hsv2 too.
usually just tingling isn't herpes related, especially if lasting this long. stop back and let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow :)
testing 30 days post encounter makes it impossible to tell if your hsv1 is old or new to be honest ( or orally or genitally too ). about half of folks will test + by that point. typically hsv1 genitally presents with very "classic" and obvious symptoms - painful lesions you wouldn't miss, not just tingling as I said previously. Hsv2 can present more mildly if you already have hsv1 orally prior to hsv2 genital infection but you being seen and no one seeing any obvious lesions internally or externally makes it unlikely it's hsv2 too.
usually just tingling isn't herpes related, especially if lasting this long. stop back and let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow :)
Thanks, Grace........my appointment is tomorrow.......I am going to mention the fact that I could not tolerate the antibiotic (it is in the penecillin family, and I have a known allergy to penecillin.........was told I *might* have issues with this particular medication, they just weren't sure).
I did have an 'aha' moment and had a few follow-up questions/concerns........I thought it was proper to post here again and not a new post per the'new member info', so I hope I was right :))
1. I didn't think about the possibility of the fact that despite not having 'real' sex (i.e., intercourse), there was a lot of rubbing of body parts. Could HSV2 be spread this way? The guy says he has never had genital herpes, but he is basing it on symptoms only..........never been tested. Can HSV2 be spread this way if he has it, knowing some people have it with no symptoms (i.e., no intercourse).
2. Do you think the high HSV1 of 3.5 that I had could be that high 30 days after exposure, or is it more likely an 'old' infection that I didn't know I had?
3. Could HSV2 present with 'atypial' symptoms like what I have desribed? Earlier we were discussing HSV1.......what about type 2?
Hoping this is ALL from me............I appreciate your time and input VERY much, as this is very scary for me!
I did have an 'aha' moment and had a few follow-up questions/concerns........I thought it was proper to post here again and not a new post per the'new member info', so I hope I was right :))
1. I didn't think about the possibility of the fact that despite not having 'real' sex (i.e., intercourse), there was a lot of rubbing of body parts. Could HSV2 be spread this way? The guy says he has never had genital herpes, but he is basing it on symptoms only..........never been tested. Can HSV2 be spread this way if he has it, knowing some people have it with no symptoms (i.e., no intercourse).
2. Do you think the high HSV1 of 3.5 that I had could be that high 30 days after exposure, or is it more likely an 'old' infection that I didn't know I had?
3. Could HSV2 present with 'atypial' symptoms like what I have desribed? Earlier we were discussing HSV1.......what about type 2?
Hoping this is ALL from me............I appreciate your time and input VERY much, as this is very scary for me!
the gyn is fine to be dealing with all of this at this point. perhaps make another appointment for this week, repeat your urine testing and vaginitis testing and go from there.
Grace, do you think the strep UTI could be causing all of this even with no burning during urination or other urinary symptoms? Could that also be why my throat was so sore? I did get my throat swabbed while all of that was going on and it definitely was negative for strep in the throat.
Also, is it possible yeast infections can go on this long? For a five-week ordeal with little reprieve, that doesn't seem to 'fit' herpes either............
Lastly, is an OB/GYN the best one to address these issues or should I be going to another type of doc???
I think that's the last of my questions, and I DO appreciate your replies :)))
Also, is it possible yeast infections can go on this long? For a five-week ordeal with little reprieve, that doesn't seem to 'fit' herpes either............
Lastly, is an OB/GYN the best one to address these issues or should I be going to another type of doc???
I think that's the last of my questions, and I DO appreciate your replies :)))
if you didn't finish your antibiotics for the uti, be sure to call monday and let them know so that they can prescribe something else. this isn't something you don't want to treat properly!!
typically hsv1 genitally presents with very obvious and "classic" symptoms. not likely you would just have neuralgia without obvious and painful lesions present.
correct - canker sores are different from herpes.
no idea why the lab uses 6 weeks though the majority of people will test accurately by then, still a significant percentage that won't hence why we recommend the 3 months or later testing so you can test once and be done.
typically hsv1 genitally presents with very obvious and "classic" symptoms. not likely you would just have neuralgia without obvious and painful lesions present.
correct - canker sores are different from herpes.
no idea why the lab uses 6 weeks though the majority of people will test accurately by then, still a significant percentage that won't hence why we recommend the 3 months or later testing so you can test once and be done.
Hi, Grace, and thank you for your reply!
I have an appointment this week and will ask for more testing. I was told that I had a positive urine culture for strep UTI by another provider, but couldn't handle the antibiotics (and honestly, felt no symptoms of a UTI, so really questioned that as being the cause of my problems).
Yes, the encounter was oral, and the timing of the flu,sore throat, aches, feeling hot (but no fever per the thermometer) was what made me concerned. Is it not possible that with the HSV 1 being what it was (3.5), my symptoms could have been caused by that (i.e., a new HSV infection? I have never been tested before so have no idea if I am one of those who had it forever and just never knew..........I don't think I've ever had a cold sore in my mouth, but I do have those canker sores a lot inside........those aren't the same, right??).
Also,why did the lab tell me 6 weeks was conclusive for the test??? They even have it on their website :((((
Thank you again for your input!
I have an appointment this week and will ask for more testing. I was told that I had a positive urine culture for strep UTI by another provider, but couldn't handle the antibiotics (and honestly, felt no symptoms of a UTI, so really questioned that as being the cause of my problems).
Yes, the encounter was oral, and the timing of the flu,sore throat, aches, feeling hot (but no fever per the thermometer) was what made me concerned. Is it not possible that with the HSV 1 being what it was (3.5), my symptoms could have been caused by that (i.e., a new HSV infection? I have never been tested before so have no idea if I am one of those who had it forever and just never knew..........I don't think I've ever had a cold sore in my mouth, but I do have those canker sores a lot inside........those aren't the same, right??).
Also,why did the lab tell me 6 weeks was conclusive for the test??? They even have it on their website :((((
Thank you again for your input!
not likely you would've had tingling from herpes and not had obvious lesions somewhere. since your provider saw your cervix too with the exam you had, no real reason to think that you have genital herpes.
igg blood testing isn't accurate until at least 3 months after your encounter. should you develop any obvious symptoms before then, be seen again for proper follow up and a lesion culture and typing.
I'd return to be seen again and get retested for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally. also ask them if they see any signs of an external yeast infection too. meanwhile, try something simple like relaxing in the bathtub with epsom salts thrown into the tubby or a packet of aveeno bath for comfort. Also sometimes something simple like using desitin or aquaphor on your irritated skin is helpful too.
also just to confirm, you received oral sex in the encounter in question?
grace
igg blood testing isn't accurate until at least 3 months after your encounter. should you develop any obvious symptoms before then, be seen again for proper follow up and a lesion culture and typing.
I'd return to be seen again and get retested for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally. also ask them if they see any signs of an external yeast infection too. meanwhile, try something simple like relaxing in the bathtub with epsom salts thrown into the tubby or a packet of aveeno bath for comfort. Also sometimes something simple like using desitin or aquaphor on your irritated skin is helpful too.
also just to confirm, you received oral sex in the encounter in question?
grace
Forgot to ask......
6. almost six weeks later and I am still having the burning, itching, prickly/tingly feelings, etc.........does this provide any 'clues' to what I am dealing with? The flu stuff went away after a week, but the burning, itching still continues on.........just wondered if this was typical or atypical of HSV?
6. almost six weeks later and I am still having the burning, itching, prickly/tingly feelings, etc.........does this provide any 'clues' to what I am dealing with? The flu stuff went away after a week, but the burning, itching still continues on.........just wondered if this was typical or atypical of HSV?
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
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.
