How Long Can a First Outbreak of HSV-1 Last?

[Ruby310]

I was recently diagnosed with genital HSV-1 which I contracted by receiving oral sex.  My first symptoms began 6 weeks ago, starting with severe itching and redness, and I was given a prescription for Valtrex.  A few days later I noticed some clear bumps that never turned into full-blown sores.  I took the medication for a month until I ran out and my insurance company will not cover any more, so I am no longer taking it.  I never developed any blisters, but have had intermittent fevers and nerve pain and persistent cracks, rough red patches and a lot of swelling with unbearable itching and mild burning.  

This has all been going on for the entire 6 weeks and nearly everything I read about herpes says that an average outbreak lasts only a couple of weeks.  I understand that everyone is different but the itching is now worse than ever and the patches are even redder and it doesn't seem to be letting up at all.  I have tried taking Diflucan in case the outbreak may have caused a yeast infection and otherwise my immune system is healthy.  I've heard that HSV-1 is a more mild strain of herpes and I am grateful to not have suffered through painful open sores but this is wearing on me and I wonder if anyone has any ideas about whether or not it is common to have symptoms last this long.

[gracefromHHP]

at this point following up on this with your gyn is the best thing to do. Just dryness and irritation will also cause the symptoms you currently have.

grace

[Ruby310]

Lastnight I did a visual self-exam and noticed that my formerly pink, smooth vagina now appears to be a deep purple color and is extremely bumpy and rough-looking.  So I did some Googling and came up with this.  I have EVERY SINGLE SYMPTOM:

http://www.uihealthcare.com/depts/med/obgyn/patedu/vulvarvaginaldisease/lichensimplex.html

[gracefromHHP]

you might also want to look into fem dophilus by jarrow or rephresh proB. both are vaginal probiotics with strains that colonize the urogenital tract to help keep your good bacteria in ample supply to help keep the "bad" bacteria away.

grace

[Ruby310]

Thanks again, Grace--you were the most helpful resource of all throughout this ordeal!  

Fortunately the person I was with 2 weeks before this episode began tested negative for both types of herpes and all other STD's so I'm not very concerned about it.  

It's also comforting to hear that vulvar dermatitis takes some time to settle--it's been 3 months and I'm JUST starting to feel relief from the itching and swelling.  At this point we're assuming yeast may have a lot to do with this, as I just developed another one yesterday.  Fortunately I have a prescription for weekly Diflucan, and am on a low sugar/low carb diet so hope that will help.

Thank you for doing what you do--you're incredibly knowledgeable and comforting.

[gracefromHHP]

if you need the peace of mind, repeat your blood test in a few months just to see if you contracted hsv2 from the encounter 2 weeks prior to this  or not. If you get any new symptoms that can be cultured for herpes, you can do that too.

At this point just continue to follow up with the dermatologist. Sometimes getting a vulvar dermatitis/irritation under control takes awhile :(

grace

[Ruby310]

Thanks for your insight--really appreciate it.  I haven't had genital sex since about 2 weeks before this started.  I did have oral sex with someone who gets cold sores very regularly about 6 weeks before that, but I know usually if I'd been exposed then, I'd probably have broken out a few days later, not 6 weeks later.  

[gracefromHHP]

I'm doubting you had a herpes infection too.  A blood test that early into things reflects your status prior to the incident in question.  when was the last time you had genital sex?

grace

[Ruby310]

I asked for an STD screening, so was given a blood test at a general practitioner's office.  The nurse called me back to tell me that I'd tested positive for both HSV-1 and HSV-2.  After having done more research and finding out that often those tests are inaccurate, I went to a gynecologist and asked for a specific type test.  Received a call from THAT office letting me know that the results came back positive ONLY for HSV-1.  Because I'd originally broken out in this rash and also had symptoms of swollen lymph nodes, tingling, shooting pains down my hips/legs, achey lower back, cracks and bumps in the skin, swelling, severe itching and burning, we assumed that I was suffering from a herpes infection.  But now both doctors have told me they doubt I EVER had a herpes infection.  I'm still not sure.  I feel that perhaps it started as a herpes infection, which irritated the skin, which may have caused a domino effect - perhaps yeast entered more freely, causing even more irritation and so on ...

[gracefromHHP]

how did they originally diagnose you as having hsv1 genitally in the first place?

so many things can go on in our genital area even when we do have herpes. it's very sensitive skin that can become irritated very easily.

grace

[Ruby310]

Thanks so much for the recommendation to see a dermatologist.  I did, and he said that what he sees with a light and magnifying glass doesn't look like herpes or any other type of disease; it looks like a general skin irritation.  I still feel certain that what I had initially was a herpes infection because I did have shooting nerve pain, high fever, tingling, itching, burning and swelling, but perhaps the whole thing caused the skin to be irritated and now what's happening is a result of that.  Or maybe it was eczema or something all along; just thought this might help others who may be experiencing a similar problem.  The doctor gave me Aquaphor ointment to apply twice daily and I hope this helps because I've been miserable for MONTHS.  

[Ruby310]

It was my gynecologist and she said it might be chronic yeast.  Perhaps my tests came back negative for it because I'd taken Diflucan recently.

I really appreciate your suggestion; will definitely look into the dermatology route.

Thank you so much for what you do, Grace!  

[gracefromHHP]

herpes isn't going to cause all of this.  did the doc offer any advice as to what could be going on?  

If this continues, you might want to make an appointment with a gyn if this wasn't one or a dermatologist to have the red patches more thoroughly investigated.  Your gyn might be able to suggest a dermatologist that is helpful with vulvular issues.

grace

[Ruby310]

Hi, Grace,

I went back to the doctor for a culture and came back negative for yeast, bacteria and other STD's.  Now have a pinching sensation and dark red patches with very tiny red bumps but still no open sores.  Just non-stop itching, discharge and irritation.  It's been going on for over 2 months now, with the symptoms constantly present but with varying degrees of intensity.

Any ideas?

Thanks so much for your time.  Appreciate it so much.

[Ruby310]

Thank you, Grace, for your time and advice.  
The swollen lymph nodes, "scratchy" sensation and rough red patches do seem indicative of herpes, but I will go back again to see if perhaps something else has cropped up since I last saw the doctor.

[gracefromHHP]

This isn't herpes still going on. you need to go back and be seen again and get a more thorough work up done. get tested for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally too.

grace