Herpes or...???

[rosienerd]

Hi.  I just would like to know if herpes is the only infection that can occur in the exact same area/spot over and over.  I ask because I have what I think is herpes genitally (7+ years) and now orally (cheek and temple)but keep testing negative (igg testing, including Western Blot, pcr and swab cultures).  Acyclovir and Valtrex really don't help much.   My symptoms are almost constant (pustules, itching and redness of oral areas and constant genital itching).  I've seen many doctors, including dermatologists, gynecologists, infectious disease specialists, etc.throughout the years, but still no answers.  As for autoimmune disease, I have a low titer for lupus, but nothing that requires treatment/medication for now.  If this is herpes, could lupus be causing nearly constant flareups?  I would love to just have some relief and not worry about this spreading to my eyes, causing blindness in the future.  So, can a bacterial/fungal infection occur in the exact same area, repeatedly, if left untreated?

Thanks,
rosienerd

[Kimrad]

Hey Rosienerd!

This reply above is a little insultive.  I would like to comfort you in a couple of ways...

First of all, during a normal pap in 1998 my doc saw what he was sure was a herpes lesion.  Culture was negative.  But every since then, when I get them I am ultra nervous. All cultures taken ...about half a dozen... all negative... but I DO have A herpes virus.  My blood work test positive.  AND I get a recurrent rash on the back of my thigh that is like lots of tiny blisters... always in the same spot. Moves within an inch or less of same location. THIS rash test positive for herpes.  I asked your same question... same spot?


THE ANSWER I was given:  Herpes does seem to reoccur in the same region.  The pain radiates along the nerve of the herpes site of  infection.  

Havent had one in many years, but they did flare especially during stress, so I could understand the mind-body relation.

Good luck

[waringblender]

This sounds psychosomatic, but the recurrence in the same spot is weird, even for a somatizer. Obviously, IgG testing plus other testing, plus antivirals not working point away from herpes. Why can't you accept that and move on?

The doctor shopping is also a red flag for a functional disorder of some kind. Getting multiple opinions from multiple specialists, with no definitive diagnosis made, points towards a psychological origin for your symptoms.

Maybe the next opinion should be from a psychiatrist.