Aa
Herpes or bacteria or what?
I had unprotected sex on 9-21. No problems. I shaved my pubic region on 9-28. I didn't follow the proper shaving rules. On 9-30 I had red bumps all over the labia and up to the pubic bone. I thought I had ingrown hair follicles. No pain, no discharge, no fever no illness. The bumps have not scabbed over. Just started to mellow out on antibiotics and neosporin. Went to the DR and visually the first dr said it looks like herpes. Then my regular dr came in and said she didn't think so. The nurse said I would have jumped off the table as they swabbed them if it was. They took swabs and the bacterial one came back negative. Still waiting on the other. If the bacteria came back negative doesn't means herpes is the only possibility left?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Then there are two possibilities:
1) he has HSV 1 genitally and transmitted it to you via intercourse (not as likely but possible)
2) you've had HSV 1 genitally before and this was a recurrence
HSV 1 genitally recurs less, sheds less and having HSV 1 genitally allows you to have intercourse with someone who has HSV 1 orally (cold sores) without concern about transmission to a new location.
If antibody testing had been done at your diagnosing visit, you would have been able to tell if this was new or old infection, with some degree of certainty but that opportunity has passed, unfortunately.
Terri
1) he has HSV 1 genitally and transmitted it to you via intercourse (not as likely but possible)
2) you've had HSV 1 genitally before and this was a recurrence
HSV 1 genitally recurs less, sheds less and having HSV 1 genitally allows you to have intercourse with someone who has HSV 1 orally (cold sores) without concern about transmission to a new location.
If antibody testing had been done at your diagnosing visit, you would have been able to tell if this was new or old infection, with some degree of certainty but that opportunity has passed, unfortunately.
Terri
In the sexual experience 10 days before my outbreak he did not perform oral sex on me. I did to him. He has in the past but many months before this. What does this tell me? I am having a hard time understanding the differences and positives of having 1 over 2. Can you explain in layman for me? Thank you for your compassion, this is indeed a horrific time for me.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Typing has been done if the test is positive for HSV 1. So you know that you have HSV 1 genitally. An antibody test (blood) might help you to know if this was new infection or old infection. If your swab test is positive for HSV 1 and your antibody test is negative for HSV 1, that suggests new infection.
I'm not sure if that information is important to you or not.
Most HSV 1 infection genitally is mouth to genital transmission. Not all, but most. If your partner has HSV 1 orally, even if he has never had a cold sore, he can transmit the virus to your genitals by giving you oral sex. Is that the case in your situation?
I would suggest that you read the Herpes Handbook at our website, westoverheights.com, for more information on the difference between HSV 1 and 2 genitally. HSV 1 is a very different infection than HSV 2, and that is a good thing in your case.
Terri
I'm not sure if that information is important to you or not.
Most HSV 1 infection genitally is mouth to genital transmission. Not all, but most. If your partner has HSV 1 orally, even if he has never had a cold sore, he can transmit the virus to your genitals by giving you oral sex. Is that the case in your situation?
I would suggest that you read the Herpes Handbook at our website, westoverheights.com, for more information on the difference between HSV 1 and 2 genitally. HSV 1 is a very different infection than HSV 2, and that is a good thing in your case.
Terri
The swab test came back positive for HSV 1. No blood test was ordered. What information will that give me? Do I just call and ask for typing to be done? What does my male partner need to ask for?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
So are you saying that the swab test came back positive? Blood antibody test? Was it HSV 1 or 2? If it was the swab test, be absolutely certain that typing is done. They would still have the test now so if it wasn't done, call and ask that they do it now.
Terri
Terri
My test was positive
The dr has asked me to come back in for a follow up. This can only be bad right?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your rash sounds far more like a bacterial infection than a viral one (herpes). I'm not sure what you mean by "proper shaving rules" exactly. It must have been very scary for the one doctor to come in and say it sounds like herpes, huh? But if your own doctor had a different opinion, that is a good thing. I think that if you had first episode herpes infection the rash would have been more tender with herpes, though not everyone has pain with herpes lesions. Honestly, just from your description, this doesn't sound like herpes to me. If you are still unsettled from the incident, even if the swab test is negative, you would be a candidate for a herpes antibody test. Be certain it is type specific, and I think it would be wise, if you test, to have your partner tested as well because if you do have new infection, your antibody test won't be positive yet.
Let me know how it goes, ok?
Terri
Let me know how it goes, ok?
Terri
Could also be razor burn. That's what it looks like on me
I wanted to add that this person and I are mutual for the last 18 months or so.
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.
