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Various Symptoms
I have recently been sexually active, but always with a condom. I have developed some frightening symptoms that may point to herpes.
I have been dealing with some painful itching and swelling in the vaginal area for a couple of weeks, now. There was some slight discharge, but it was not atypical of regular vaginal discharge, although there was a good amount more of it, perhaps, than usual. There are no noticeable bumps in or around the vaginal area.
I was not concerned about the irritation, thinking it was just normal and would pass in time, but I became concerned as a line of small whitish bumps developed around my lips, gathering at the corners. Then thoroughly alarmed, I sought medical help and was examined by a gynecologist. He told me that he could see no visible signs of herpes on the vaginal area, but took a swab and said he would test me. When I pointed out the bumps on my lip he suggested a slight irritation due to sun exposure.
The irritation around my vagina has not ceased, but the oral bumps continue to spread. They do not crust, although my lips feel slightly dry and a bit tingly. They are not red, and I have been looking at pictures of fordyce spots that seem to resemble what I have. Small clusters of whitish-yellow bumps. I also have some irregularities around the edges of my tongue and along the cheek. My throat has also begun hurting since I last saw the doctor a week ago.
I will receive results of the test back this week, but I am under the impression that the results from a swab test might not prove accurate until some time after the initial infection of the virus.
My questions, I suppose, are as follow:
1) Is it possible to contract HSV-II herpes in the mouth without visible lesions below the waist? How likely is this?
2) Could a yeast infection be the culprit causing the vaginal swelling and discomfort?
3) Does fordyce cause swelling or discomfort in the tongue?
4) How long does it take for herpes to begin blistering a cracking along the mouth?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
I have been dealing with some painful itching and swelling in the vaginal area for a couple of weeks, now. There was some slight discharge, but it was not atypical of regular vaginal discharge, although there was a good amount more of it, perhaps, than usual. There are no noticeable bumps in or around the vaginal area.
I was not concerned about the irritation, thinking it was just normal and would pass in time, but I became concerned as a line of small whitish bumps developed around my lips, gathering at the corners. Then thoroughly alarmed, I sought medical help and was examined by a gynecologist. He told me that he could see no visible signs of herpes on the vaginal area, but took a swab and said he would test me. When I pointed out the bumps on my lip he suggested a slight irritation due to sun exposure.
The irritation around my vagina has not ceased, but the oral bumps continue to spread. They do not crust, although my lips feel slightly dry and a bit tingly. They are not red, and I have been looking at pictures of fordyce spots that seem to resemble what I have. Small clusters of whitish-yellow bumps. I also have some irregularities around the edges of my tongue and along the cheek. My throat has also begun hurting since I last saw the doctor a week ago.
I will receive results of the test back this week, but I am under the impression that the results from a swab test might not prove accurate until some time after the initial infection of the virus.
My questions, I suppose, are as follow:
1) Is it possible to contract HSV-II herpes in the mouth without visible lesions below the waist? How likely is this?
2) Could a yeast infection be the culprit causing the vaginal swelling and discomfort?
3) Does fordyce cause swelling or discomfort in the tongue?
4) How long does it take for herpes to begin blistering a cracking along the mouth?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Grace, thank you for taking the time to answer my question.
I have finished two consecutive treatments for the yeast infection and did receive external fungal cream. I used the cream for a little over a week and although most itching had ceased, I continued to be tender and feel itching and burning, (though less often than before). I continue to feel this, especially if I touch the area too often.
I was using Aldara, but not externally. I stopped the medicine when this problem arose. I have been using Aldara for over two years now for internal HPV lesions on the vaginal wall, (rarer than those occurring on the cervix). I have never had a problem that led to this in the past due to the usage of Aldara.
I am becoming more and more convinced that this is herpes. The unchanging bumps confuse me, though, both vaginally and orally. I feel as though they have spread slightly, but do not cause discomfort.
Are herpes lesions always visible when they begin hurting? Perhaps there are sores that are small and so I cannot see them.
Do herpes lesions sometimes appear without any pain or blistering?
I have made an appointment with another doctor for a second opinion. Will the doctor know immediately if these bumps are herpes? The doctor from before seemed to think a herpes test was unnecessary, but the longer this goes on the more and more I worry. It's been nearly seven weeks now.
I'd like to thank you again for taking the time and energy to read my and everyone's posts. I have found much comfort here.
I have finished two consecutive treatments for the yeast infection and did receive external fungal cream. I used the cream for a little over a week and although most itching had ceased, I continued to be tender and feel itching and burning, (though less often than before). I continue to feel this, especially if I touch the area too often.
I was using Aldara, but not externally. I stopped the medicine when this problem arose. I have been using Aldara for over two years now for internal HPV lesions on the vaginal wall, (rarer than those occurring on the cervix). I have never had a problem that led to this in the past due to the usage of Aldara.
I am becoming more and more convinced that this is herpes. The unchanging bumps confuse me, though, both vaginally and orally. I feel as though they have spread slightly, but do not cause discomfort.
Are herpes lesions always visible when they begin hurting? Perhaps there are sores that are small and so I cannot see them.
Do herpes lesions sometimes appear without any pain or blistering?
I have made an appointment with another doctor for a second opinion. Will the doctor know immediately if these bumps are herpes? The doctor from before seemed to think a herpes test was unnecessary, but the longer this goes on the more and more I worry. It's been nearly seven weeks now.
I'd like to thank you again for taking the time and energy to read my and everyone's posts. I have found much comfort here.
I'm not aware of yeast treatments being weaker outside of the US. If a full week after you've stopped treatment for the yeast infection you aren't back to normal genitally - return to be seen and evaluated again. Are you currently using a topical antifungal on the external genitals?
As for your lip issues, it really doesn't sound like oral herpes. It could be a fungal issue or it could be a bacterial infection too. Are you putting anything on your lips regularly since this all started?
Are you using aldara for external genital warts too currently?
grace
As for your lip issues, it really doesn't sound like oral herpes. It could be a fungal issue or it could be a bacterial infection too. Are you putting anything on your lips regularly since this all started?
Are you using aldara for external genital warts too currently?
grace
I want to follow up on this previous post and possibly get/give some insight. I have been to the doctor and was diagnosed with a nasty yeast infection. I asked him about the bumps around my labial area, and he seemed to think these were normal. Do the actual bumps of the herpes virus itch and burn? These bumps don't seem to do either, so can I feel some relief at least in that aspect?
I began treatment for the yeast infection and the burning on the inside of my vagina ceased, but the itching and redness persisted outside the vagina. The bumps did not change... no spreading, blistering, bursting, etc... but I began to experience some dry skin and chafing that did lead to a crack along the edge of my skin. Thoroughly freaking out, (again), I once more went to the doctor who suggested that the infection inside my vagina had been cured, but a fungus remained outside and was the cause of the itching, redness and chafing.
The reason I am so anxious about this situation is that I am studying abroad and I am concerned that the doctor does not fully understand what is going on. I was concerned when he did not know what the medicine I use for my HPV was when I told him the name. I wonder how common herpes is here, although I know it is less common than in the U.S. I don't mean to question the competency of a seasoned doctor, but we do often make mistakes as humans, after all.
I also understand that the medicine here is substantially weaker than that in the U.S. I am aware that this is not the place to discuss yeast infections, but I'm still concerned that perhaps the symptoms of the yeast infection are confusing the doctor and distracting him from the possibility of herpes.
Also, the bumps on my lips have not changed. They have not blistered, but remain slightly dry. They have not spread severely, but perhaps a bit, slowly. I have also seen a doctor about this. He suggested that they are normal and to use lip balm, (but this has had little to no effect). Is it a good idea to try an over-the-counter treatment for cold sores for my lips?
Can herpes cause a yeast infection? Does an initial outbreak of herpes last this long? (Over four weeks). Can a yeast infection last this long? They can only perform blood tests in this country, (for whatever reason), so how long should I wait before I get a blood test for herpes?
I am sorry for the barrage of questions, but I would really appreciate some further insight into my situation.
Thank you for your time.
I began treatment for the yeast infection and the burning on the inside of my vagina ceased, but the itching and redness persisted outside the vagina. The bumps did not change... no spreading, blistering, bursting, etc... but I began to experience some dry skin and chafing that did lead to a crack along the edge of my skin. Thoroughly freaking out, (again), I once more went to the doctor who suggested that the infection inside my vagina had been cured, but a fungus remained outside and was the cause of the itching, redness and chafing.
The reason I am so anxious about this situation is that I am studying abroad and I am concerned that the doctor does not fully understand what is going on. I was concerned when he did not know what the medicine I use for my HPV was when I told him the name. I wonder how common herpes is here, although I know it is less common than in the U.S. I don't mean to question the competency of a seasoned doctor, but we do often make mistakes as humans, after all.
I also understand that the medicine here is substantially weaker than that in the U.S. I am aware that this is not the place to discuss yeast infections, but I'm still concerned that perhaps the symptoms of the yeast infection are confusing the doctor and distracting him from the possibility of herpes.
Also, the bumps on my lips have not changed. They have not blistered, but remain slightly dry. They have not spread severely, but perhaps a bit, slowly. I have also seen a doctor about this. He suggested that they are normal and to use lip balm, (but this has had little to no effect). Is it a good idea to try an over-the-counter treatment for cold sores for my lips?
Can herpes cause a yeast infection? Does an initial outbreak of herpes last this long? (Over four weeks). Can a yeast infection last this long? They can only perform blood tests in this country, (for whatever reason), so how long should I wait before I get a blood test for herpes?
I am sorry for the barrage of questions, but I would really appreciate some further insight into my situation.
Thank you for your time.
I'm not familiar with fordyce. But otherwise it does sound indicative of yeast symptoms. Can't believe your doctor didn't test for that as well.
HSV2 oral is very rare. Also, genitally there are almost always lesions, which is what makes herpes classic. Did you have genital and oral sex with someone who even has herpes??
Your oral / genital symptoms could be completely unrelated. I would most definitely see your doctor again, to have both areas tested for whatever they can test for.
HSV2 oral is very rare. Also, genitally there are almost always lesions, which is what makes herpes classic. Did you have genital and oral sex with someone who even has herpes??
Your oral / genital symptoms could be completely unrelated. I would most definitely see your doctor again, to have both areas tested for whatever they can test for.
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
