Genital herpes symptoms?

[thebrooksstead]

Last October, I had an outbreak of what was "diagnosed" as genital herpes (I was told I probably got it from my ex husband who used to have a lot of cold sores) by a friend of mine who is a doctor.  I have only heard the symptoms described as "mild fever, aches, genital sores" and similar.  However, my outbreaks, which tend to happen during times of high stress (buying a home, having my car stolen, etc.), are as follows:  A painful sore somewhere in the genital area - usually the labia, very painful lymph nodes a day or two before developing a high fever of 103° (which goes from normal to peak temp within 6-8 hours), severe chills, nausea, severe body aches - essentially like a very bad flu.  After this period, the skin surrounding my genitals - specifically the labia and mons pubis - becomes inflamed, painful, swollen, red.  After 2-3 days of that, the skin begins to peel off the mons pubis, sometimes weeping, and finally crusts over.

I haven't heard *anything* about the skin inflammation, swelling, and weeping issue that I always get.  I am very overweight, so my mons pubis is quite large.  I am not sure if this has anything to do with it or not.  I am basically wondering if anyone else has had any symptoms remotely like this with genital herpes.

And yes, I do have an appointment with a doctor.  However, my appointment is over a month away thanks to the awesome insurance my husband's employer offers.  I am just looking for more information at this point.

[Mistakeguy789]

As petal said... You need a type speicifc IgG blood test to get some answers if you have symptoms in the future have them cultured.  

[thebrooksstead]

I read up on bacterial infections, too, but everything I read about them says bacterial infections don't just go away the way this does.  That they would simply get worse, especially if severe enough to cause flu-like symptoms.  This is a definite cycle that only occurs during times of high stress, so I don't think it's related to a bacterial infection.  It seems more viral to me, but I agree that it might not be HSV1.

I have heard other people describe the flu-like symptoms such as I've had, but not the swollen skin so perhaps it's very individualized as to severity.

[petal130]

Genital HSV1 can present - initially - with painful genital sores/lesions, and flu-like symptoms (no, not severe flu). I in fact know this as I have it, confirmed with a swab/culture when I had the initial outbreak. However, recurring genital HSV1 is NOT like that at all. It usually is mild, with minor lesions and no flu-like symptoms.

Never accept a visual diagnosis of herpes as it can be wrong 1/3 of the time.

Only a swab/culture of symptoms can diagnose genital HSV1, as even if a blood test is positive for it, most HSV1 infections are oral. Other things like yeast, bacteria/folliculitis, can mimic herpes, hence why only a swab/culture can confirm a genital HSV1 infection.

You need an IgG type specific blood test, and if symptomatic, be seen within 48 hours for a swab/culture.