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Herpes symptoms and course
Hello, I am a heterosexual 38 year old man who was diagnosed with HSV 2 via culture test and physical exam on December23.The doctor prescribed valtrex 2 times a day for 10 days which I completed on the 2nd of January .
Aside from the lesions I did not experience any additional symptoms prior to the break out, and it appears this break out was quite mild, only having 3 small lesions that did not hurt or itch. Mid way through the valtrex all the lesions were almost completely healed. I did notice during the course of the 10 days that I would get a mild tingling or itching sensation around my anus. This did not really bother me. I still experience the tingling around my anus on occasion and also experience a mild tingling sensation along my penis and down into what I think is my urethral track. This itchy or tingly sensation is not external or on the skin but feels this way inside. I has also noticed that sometimes when I urinate it burns very slightly. I was tested for other stds and results were negative. I guess I wanted to know now normal this tingling sensation is and what to expect. I have read that it varies from person to person and in some cases it is a signal that an outbreak is imminent but that it can also occur during and after an outbreak.
As I said I did not experience this sensation prior to noticing the initial lesions. I completed my 10 days of valtrex and am not currently taking any meds. I see no sings at this point of any new sores but contine to experience this tingling and itch sensation in the areas mentioned. It is quite mild but wanted to know if it meant I was going to have another outbreak or if I needed to take more valtrex? I had asked the doctor if they would prescribe me another round of valtrex to have I the even I experience another outbreak. At this point I am unsure if this still just part of the initial symptoms or an indication that another break out. Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Aside from the lesions I did not experience any additional symptoms prior to the break out, and it appears this break out was quite mild, only having 3 small lesions that did not hurt or itch. Mid way through the valtrex all the lesions were almost completely healed. I did notice during the course of the 10 days that I would get a mild tingling or itching sensation around my anus. This did not really bother me. I still experience the tingling around my anus on occasion and also experience a mild tingling sensation along my penis and down into what I think is my urethral track. This itchy or tingly sensation is not external or on the skin but feels this way inside. I has also noticed that sometimes when I urinate it burns very slightly. I was tested for other stds and results were negative. I guess I wanted to know now normal this tingling sensation is and what to expect. I have read that it varies from person to person and in some cases it is a signal that an outbreak is imminent but that it can also occur during and after an outbreak.
As I said I did not experience this sensation prior to noticing the initial lesions. I completed my 10 days of valtrex and am not currently taking any meds. I see no sings at this point of any new sores but contine to experience this tingling and itch sensation in the areas mentioned. It is quite mild but wanted to know if it meant I was going to have another outbreak or if I needed to take more valtrex? I had asked the doctor if they would prescribe me another round of valtrex to have I the even I experience another outbreak. At this point I am unsure if this still just part of the initial symptoms or an indication that another break out. Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Thank you so much for your information, it's very helpful. I may start a new thread ( and thus pay for your time ) regarding valtrex usage (ie dosage 500 vs 1000 , or 500 usually but 1000 for a few days if symptoms occur). I'll post that later. Thanks again
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If you've not had extreme symptoms yet, your probably won't. Most of the pictures you see online are bad first episode infections, not typical recurrences. And with suppression, you aren't going to have a huge outbreak in the future, I don't believe.
This is my last post on this thread.
Terri
This is my last post on this thread.
Terri
Hi Terri thanks so much for replying. I am actually unsure where I got this from. I started seeing my girlfriend in October but was not exclusive until mid November or so. I had a couple other partners in October and November . When I told my current girlfriend she said she didn't think she had it and had never had symptoms and had just come out of a long 5 year relationship. So of course it's possible she has it and doesn't know it, but seems more likely that I picked it up somewhere else. Regardless I have never had a really bad outbreak as of yet .
As I stated in previous posts I have never had more than 2 or three very small blisters at the base which didn't hurt and healed fairly quickly. I google searched pics of herpes last night and every pic I saw was way worse than Anytjing I have experienced thus far. Just to be clear I do have a small blister on my penis right now in the general area of original outbreak. It's tiny, size of a pencil head . The other symptoms I am experiences seem consistent with what I hear people call prodrome, ( tingling in urethra and sensitive skin on thighs and even on stomach a little. Some people say the sensitive feelings happens in the location where you get the sores but that hasn't been the case so far. I checked again before work and the blister I have hasn't gotten worse and don't see anything else as of yet. But oddly enough I did have discharge last night , after not having it for weeks. So Im guessing it's related to this apparent mild outbreak I'm having ? Maybe this is so mild due to the valtrex but luckily so far it is mild. I am just trying to learn and understand what to expect and what is a normal part of herpes. Trying not to make too many catostrphic interpretations. And after seeing this google images I was scared that would happen to me !! Should I double up on my valtrex when I have an outbreak ? Does this even count as an outbreak ! ha Currently I am taking 500mg daily as suppression. Thanks
As I stated in previous posts I have never had more than 2 or three very small blisters at the base which didn't hurt and healed fairly quickly. I google searched pics of herpes last night and every pic I saw was way worse than Anytjing I have experienced thus far. Just to be clear I do have a small blister on my penis right now in the general area of original outbreak. It's tiny, size of a pencil head . The other symptoms I am experiences seem consistent with what I hear people call prodrome, ( tingling in urethra and sensitive skin on thighs and even on stomach a little. Some people say the sensitive feelings happens in the location where you get the sores but that hasn't been the case so far. I checked again before work and the blister I have hasn't gotten worse and don't see anything else as of yet. But oddly enough I did have discharge last night , after not having it for weeks. So Im guessing it's related to this apparent mild outbreak I'm having ? Maybe this is so mild due to the valtrex but luckily so far it is mild. I am just trying to learn and understand what to expect and what is a normal part of herpes. Trying not to make too many catostrphic interpretations. And after seeing this google images I was scared that would happen to me !! Should I double up on my valtrex when I have an outbreak ? Does this even count as an outbreak ! ha Currently I am taking 500mg daily as suppression. Thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Honestly, it is normal right in the beginning of an infection to have more lesions. It is not likely that the small red bumps on your thighs are herpes lesions, but the sensation in your thighs may well be associated with herpes. Also, I've been thinking about your posts, and you may have had some herpes lesions in the urethra that are causing discharge, don't know why that didn't come to me right away. Dah. Once your suppression kicks fully in, I am hoping you will have fewer symptoms.
Is your girlfriend the person you got herpes from?
Terri
Is your girlfriend the person you got herpes from?
Terri
Sorry, PC sent post before i was done. SO i was saying i was bummed to see another sore after what seemed like encouraging results from valtrex the last 3 or 4 weeks. Is this normal for someone who is still newly diagnosed or should i be concerned that the med isnt working or should increase dose? And i just looked at my thighs with a bright light and i do see a few very small red spots that dont appear to have blisters and are very small and a very light pinkish color. So again, is this somewhat typical for someone newly diagnosed and on suppressive therapy as well? Just wondering what to do next. This has only been happening for a couple days so hopefully it will not last long and improve. Thanks
Hi terri, sorry i didnt respond to your last question, for some reason it wasnt giving me an option to respond on my iphone. Anyway, since our last discussion things have been going pretty well overall. Please let me know if i am required to pay again for additional answers and i will. I have been taking valtrex as suppressive since around Jan 8th or so, and was initially diagnosed on Dec 24th 2013. As far as i know that was my first outbreak. All my symptoms luckily have been fairly mild so far and i think valtrax helps, although i guess i dont how it would be without it. Over the last few weeks i have had no sores and no more discharge, but would continue to get mild tingly feelings within my penis as we discussed about. I have a girlfriend who has been very supportive luckily. So just day before yesterday (friday) i noticed another very small lesion (size of a pencil head) in the same region that i experienced my other sores (base of penis close to pubic hair). Since friday it has not gotten worse or larger, but last night i did experience what i could only describe as sensitive upper thighs. Like when my pants rub against my thighs it feels slightly sore or sensitive. I have been inspecting and i see no real obvious lesions or blisters on my thighs. I of course assume this is herpes related but just wondering how common it was, and if speaks it all to the effectiveness or lackthereof of valtrex? I mean perhaps if i wasnt on the med this apparent episode would be much worse. I of course was just bummed to see another sore afte
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If you waited at least two weeks after the encounter, that is adequate waiting time.
Terri
Terri
Hi, the encounter was in early November and the tests were done in December 24. Not sure what type of tests were done for clym and gon but I only provided urine sample. At the time I wasn't noticing any discharge . That's all I know. I feel like the itchy tingling sensations are decreasing so that's good.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
How long after the encounter were the gonorrhea and chlamydia tests done? Was a gram stain done of the discharge, looking for white cells?
Terri
Terri
Good point! I guess I'm just obsessing a little and still accepting this as a reality and also trying to comprehend the various symptoms. Luckily so far everything has been pretty mild, hopefully it will continue to be that way. I guess I was concerned maybe the tests for clym and gon were too early or something thus inaccurate , but it's doubtful. I guess I'll just assume this mild discharge is herpes related or normative, and hopefully the tingling and stuff will subside as my body acclimates. Hopefully I never get these further down on my penis ! I guess I'm luck so far they are just I the pubic region. Ok tha is again for your wisdom
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There is naturally some moisture at the end of the urethra, I think, for most men. However, some men with new herpes do get a discharge. The thing is, you know you have herpes and you know you can give off virus even if you don't have any symptoms, so trying to nail everything down as herpes or not at this point may not be all that useful. What do you think?
Terri
Terri
Thanks Terri , that's reassuring. I posted in the non expert forum and people seemed to act like such symptoms were not consistent with herpes, but perhaps fungal or hemmoroids or something. Lastly, I have seen some what I think might be discharge. Again this could have been like this before and I just never noticed since I am now always inspecting and paranoid. But I have seen some clear fluid at the tip of my penis. It's not really leaking out much ay all. but if I open the urethral it's kind of there. It doesn't smell and is transparent. Kind of like seminal fluid. I haven't masturbated in several days as the whole area is freakkng me out right now . Is this type of discharge possibly herpes related ? Heck is this even discharge? Ok thanks. No more questions from me hopefully :)
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Outbreaks don't always come where herpes entered the body, no.
I think it is quite normal with new infection to continue to get those prodromal feelings in the genital area. That may take a while to calm down, but it will. As your immune system gets more familiar with the virus and your medicine really fully kicks in, I suspect you will have fewer of these symptoms, yes.
Terri
I think it is quite normal with new infection to continue to get those prodromal feelings in the genital area. That may take a while to calm down, but it will. As your immune system gets more familiar with the virus and your medicine really fully kicks in, I suspect you will have fewer of these symptoms, yes.
Terri
Hi Terri , if you could just please answer one more question and I'll try to be more succinct. Sorry for the overly long post before, this is a new experience and I am quite neurotic. Ok so I am now on suppressive valtrex 500mgs one per day. It appears to have worked very quickly and the one or two sores I had are almost completely healed. Good news is it appears valtrex really works for me. My concern is the continued tingling feeling I get in my penis and sometimes my anus. Mild tingly itchy sensation. I have read that this is a fairy common symptom of a herpes outbreak ? I don't really know when I contracted this but my first obvious signs were in mid December 2013. I was tested for clamydia and gon and came back neg. should I be concerned about this ? Will it likely to away with continued valtrex use ? It's kind of annoying but not terrible. Just want to know if this is likely related to herpes , it seems like it must be. Thanks !!!!
Hi, and thanks for your response. Since leaving my message the doc who diagnosed me (wasn't my normal doc) prescribed me a three day course of valtrex 500mg twice a day. Today is my last day and it seemed to work almost immediately. I saw my normal doc yesterday and we decided to do suppressive treatment with valtrex 500mg once a day which I will begin tmw after competed the course I am currently on. It's interesting the differing points of views you hear about herpes from one doc to the next. Th first guy made it sound like only immune suppressed patients use suppressive treatment but my usual doc disagreed. Lastly, is it the case that the location of your sores is likely where the virus entered your body ? Mine are all in the same location , base of penis where pubic hair begins. Interestingly it's an area a condom doesn't cover. And as for the tingling around anus and inside penis, this is normal ? Thanks
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It is possible that you may need more antivirals, yes. With first infection, things can take a bit longer to resolve, yes. We often put people with a firm diagnosis (positive culture for HSV 2) on suppressive antiviral therapy for the first year or so as they will have the most annoying symptoms and the greatest likelihood of transmission during that time. Something for you to consider.
Terri
Terri
This is freuddude, since leaving my post I noticed another very small blister in the same general area as my last/first. This changes things. Is it possible the my 10 day course of valtrex didn't nip this I the bud ? I have no reason to believe that I have a compromised immune system . Is such a quick recurrance possible ? Should I begin valtrex again ? If so what dosage ? My 10 day course ended on the 2nd of jan. thanks
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.
