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Herpes Questions
I am a 37 year old female who had a massage at a Asian massage parlor about four months ago(I received a gift certificate for this place). The woman used a sheet to massage me (not in any sexual areas), but then she scratched my head raw (the massage was very rough and I didn't like it, but I didn't speak up for myself). I have been in a faithful relationship for 16 years. No signs of herpes until 2 1/2 weeks after my massage. Had a fever & feeling sick. Shortly afterwards, I had 1 blister on my vagina. This has happened a second time and I just had it swabbed and am waiting for the results. I had a child 5 years ago, and no signs of herpes. Is it possible the female at the massage parlor had herpes on her hands and transmitted it to my scalp? I have not had any outbreaks on my head. Would the place of contact be the place I would have an outbreak? Also, I am very, very worried about transmitting this to my son. Can he get it from me kissing him, using my hand towel, saliva or any other daily interaction. I feel almost scared to touch him now. We have always had a close, loving relationship. I purchased The Good News About the Bad News by Terri Warren, and it did answer a lot of questions, but there are so many more I have.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Good plan.
Terri
Terri
Okay, thank you for your all of your help. I will follow-up with my Gynecologist if I have sores in the future.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hmmm. I think you probably don't have herpes. At least you don't have HSV 2. The IgG test misses about 1-2 cases out of 10 or HSV 1 infection. Really, I don't think you don't have herpes. And if you do, it is likely HSV 1. The recurrent sore business still concerns me, but no where near as much as before the negative lab tests. If you were my patient, I would give you a PCR swab test kit to take home and if you ever got another one, I would ask you to swab it yourself and bring the kit back to the office after you gathered the swab at home.
I don't have an absolute answer for you but my impression is that HSV is unlikely but not impossible.
Terri
I don't have an absolute answer for you but my impression is that HSV is unlikely but not impossible.
Terri
Results are back from the swab test (performed within 24 hours of open sore), and it is negative. IGG blood test are negative, and now swab test. This is the second swab test performed. The first was done in May, however, it was not within 48 hours. What do you think, Terri?
Also, I do not recall myself or my husband having cold sores (not even when I was young).
Thank you for getting back to me, Terri. I am hoping to hear back from my gyno today or tomorrow regarding the swab test. She wasn't certain from looking at it, but said, it may be herpes. I'm not sure if you were able to view my earlier comments, but yesterday, I received negative blood test results (herpes select blood test, completed at Quest through getsstdtested.com). I had my first sore around the middle of May, and had blood work on October 3rd (around 19 weeks from first sore). If the swab test comes back negative, how should I proceed?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
good morning,
You were at NO risk of acquiring genital herpes from the massage that you had. The sore (s) that you have had on the vagina do indeed sound like genital herpes. There are a few things that are concerning, but the main thing is your description of recurrent genital sores.
No, if your swab test is negative you cannot assume that you don't have herpes. Depending upon the swab test was that done and when it was done in relationship to when the sore first appeared, the results, if negative, may or may not be accurate. Please, if you swab test is positive, be certain that the swab test is also typed (that is, type 1 or type 2). This will help you sort out your partner's risk or lack of risk of getting herpes. If the swab test is negative, I strongly suggest that you get a type specific antibody test. Have you ever in your life had a cold sore on your lip?
Your child is NOT at risk of acquiring herpes from you, if you do have it.
What did your health care provider think about whether you have herpes?
Terri
If there was no sexual contact at the massage parlor it is almost certain you did not contract herpes there. There is a reason it is categorized as an sti :). It sounds like you are needlessly stressing yourself out. If all of your tests come back negative and you and your partner have been faithful, it's pretty certain you're clear.
I was hoping to hear back today. I want to add that I just received my test results back from gettestedstd.com, and the entire panel was negative (had blood drawn at Quest). I have not received my results back from my gynecologist for the swab test, however. The Herpes test was the herpes select, but it did not list my actual numbers, only that it was less than 0.90. The test was taken 19 1/2 weeks from this exposure. I am feeling optimistic that it is not herpes, but am really waiting for the results of my swab too. My last vaginal issue was last Wednesday, and I had the swab on Thursday. I had a slight fever, tingling, and then an open sore on my vagina last week. If the swab test comes back negative, can I say I am herpes free, and try to figure out what other reason this is happening to me?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
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.
