Aa
OK now I actually do have a possible herpes situation
Hey
OK so lately I've been trying to read up on HSV, despite the fact hat I have 0 symptoms. When I was just about to come to the conclusion that I was fine, my daughter came home from my mothers house with this horrific rash all over her torso, neck, upper back and slightly around her mouth. It's much more minimal on her face than it is around her neck and back, but I have to say it looks exactly like herpes. I took her to the doctor today, and he scheduled a lab appointment tomorrow morning. Apparently she's getting checked for hsv 1 and 2, rubella, Varicella, and crp .The rash is just red some areas, and clusterish in others. Some are turning into dry skin and scabbing over. When you squeeze them a clear liquid secretes. I would dismiss it as pox, but chicken pox are usually all over the body and look totally different from what my daughter has, plus she hasn't been exposed to other kids with pox. The bumps literally developed out of no where. Based on net images alone, I have to say it looks exactly like some pics I saw of hsv1.She has nothing on her genitals, which makes me feel a little better, but really I'm devastated. The thought that I gave my daughters hsv kills me. I tried the poison Ivy option, but she hardly goes outside. My only other hope is that she got a rash from allergies to certain food. In all reality though, It looks absolutely viral. So my questions are even tho I have exhibited and/or experienced absolutely no symptoms of hsv since my brief unprotected sex exposure 7/14, could I have still passed it to my daughter by giving her kisses and sharing drinks with her? And if so, why hasn't this happened to my sons? Also, if any members of my family are carriers of the virus, wouldn't one of us at least experienced symptoms by now? I know none of you are doctors, but you know more than me. I guess I'm wondering how likely it is she caught hsv 1.
OK so lately I've been trying to read up on HSV, despite the fact hat I have 0 symptoms. When I was just about to come to the conclusion that I was fine, my daughter came home from my mothers house with this horrific rash all over her torso, neck, upper back and slightly around her mouth. It's much more minimal on her face than it is around her neck and back, but I have to say it looks exactly like herpes. I took her to the doctor today, and he scheduled a lab appointment tomorrow morning. Apparently she's getting checked for hsv 1 and 2, rubella, Varicella, and crp .The rash is just red some areas, and clusterish in others. Some are turning into dry skin and scabbing over. When you squeeze them a clear liquid secretes. I would dismiss it as pox, but chicken pox are usually all over the body and look totally different from what my daughter has, plus she hasn't been exposed to other kids with pox. The bumps literally developed out of no where. Based on net images alone, I have to say it looks exactly like some pics I saw of hsv1.She has nothing on her genitals, which makes me feel a little better, but really I'm devastated. The thought that I gave my daughters hsv kills me. I tried the poison Ivy option, but she hardly goes outside. My only other hope is that she got a rash from allergies to certain food. In all reality though, It looks absolutely viral. So my questions are even tho I have exhibited and/or experienced absolutely no symptoms of hsv since my brief unprotected sex exposure 7/14, could I have still passed it to my daughter by giving her kisses and sharing drinks with her? And if so, why hasn't this happened to my sons? Also, if any members of my family are carriers of the virus, wouldn't one of us at least experienced symptoms by now? I know none of you are doctors, but you know more than me. I guess I'm wondering how likely it is she caught hsv 1.
As I said - you can not ascertain anything from a herpes blood test in a child of that age. The doctor really doesn't know what he's doing. Also it sounds like he didn't even order a type specific herpes igg blood test which means it was a total waste of time. I also don't think she has zoster at her age - especially if he told you it might come back as mouth lesions - he would've said she has chicken pox and would never said it would come back as mouth lesions. And yes zoster is contagious - to folks who have never had chicken pox before.
I'm sorry you have gotten substandard care for your daughter :( If she still has the rash I'd take her to a pediatric dermatologist and get some better answers. I don't mean to make you feel more worried than you already are - I'm just saying this doctor sucks :(
grace
I'm sorry you have gotten substandard care for your daughter :( If she still has the rash I'd take her to a pediatric dermatologist and get some better answers. I don't mean to make you feel more worried than you already are - I'm just saying this doctor sucks :(
grace
Thanks for that info, grace. I'm not too sure about the doctor that examined her rash. He didn't give me enough information, nor did he ease my concerns about what was going on. After the blood test, it appears she has a form of hsv, but whatever it is, it's not in the same ball park as genital herpes (as the more qualified doctor explained to me in Laymans). Whatever she has is common in children and is not recurring, however it can come back as a blister on her mouth. It's not something she needs medication for, and the only thing I should worry about are the scars the rash tends to leave. Either way, it didn't get worse thank G-d, but I'm still not clear on what it is. The doctors English was a little poor. Basically what he said is it's not contagious, its not recurring, it's a form of hsv (I'm assuming he means herpes zoster), and it's common and not to worry. The meds prescribed were Acyclovir and hydroxyzine. I think she'll be ok, but I still don't feel as though I fully understand her rash.
herpes zoster is the virus that causes chicken pox. When it reactivates it's called shingles.
The herpes blood test was still a total waste of time and money. I'm going to assume an igm was drawn and unless she is just a newborn even if it's positive it doesn't tell you anything. The blood tests we have today are based on adult blood volumes and are frequently falsely positive on kids under 14 which is why they are of little use and shouldn't be drawn. If they suspect herpes simplex or herpes zoster - a viral lesion culture is the best way to check for it.
Don't hesitate to take her to the ER over the weekend if she gets worse and her doctor doesn't keep weekend hours.
grace
The herpes blood test was still a total waste of time and money. I'm going to assume an igm was drawn and unless she is just a newborn even if it's positive it doesn't tell you anything. The blood tests we have today are based on adult blood volumes and are frequently falsely positive on kids under 14 which is why they are of little use and shouldn't be drawn. If they suspect herpes simplex or herpes zoster - a viral lesion culture is the best way to check for it.
Don't hesitate to take her to the ER over the weekend if she gets worse and her doctor doesn't keep weekend hours.
grace
Thanks Grace
No they didn't do a bacterial culture, but yes the doctor specifically requested a hsv 1 and 2 blood test, which I think was because even though some of it looks rashy, other areas look odd and clusterish, almost like her skin is boiling. The clusters are turning white and scabbing over, and are inflamed. Since my first post, she's now got some blister like thing in the back of her ear, and some of the rash creeping into the inside of her ear. More have popped up on her face, which look more like balls of puss than a rash. What she's going through looks like nothing I've seen before, but I take in account she's a child and could be going through anything.
What exactly is "herpes zoster"?
No they didn't do a bacterial culture, but yes the doctor specifically requested a hsv 1 and 2 blood test, which I think was because even though some of it looks rashy, other areas look odd and clusterish, almost like her skin is boiling. The clusters are turning white and scabbing over, and are inflamed. Since my first post, she's now got some blister like thing in the back of her ear, and some of the rash creeping into the inside of her ear. More have popped up on her face, which look more like balls of puss than a rash. What she's going through looks like nothing I've seen before, but I take in account she's a child and could be going through anything.
What exactly is "herpes zoster"?
This isn't a herpes rash unless it's herpes zoster which is of course chicken pox/shingles. There are a zillion other virus's out there that cause rashes - including 5th's disease which is very common in kids. There are many viral infections that start out as a cold/fever and then have a rash too. I"m not sure how old your daughter is but the herpes blood tests are absolutely worthless in kids under 14 years of age. If she's older than 2 months even the herpes igm is of no value whatsoever and shouldn't have been drawn ( no idea what kind of herpes blood test they did ). If the doctor suspected hsv a lesion culture of active lesions was the only option in children ( and always the best one anyways over blood work ). Did they by chance do a bacterial culture at all of the lesions? Also you don't have to go outside to get poison - you can get it from touching other people's clothes/shoes etc that have been in it and the oils stick to them.
FYI - crp isn't a disease - it's a blood test that checks for signs of inflammation. It's usually only checked in kids when trying to diagnose kawaski syndrome which at this point your daughter doesn't sound anywhere near sick enough to have that ( yes I know you'll google it and find something else to worry about now but trust me - I've been a pediatric nurse for 20+ years now - they are very noticeably ill when they have it and the rash tends to also be on the hands, feet and groin, not just the areas her rash is in ).
Sweetie I know it's hard not to worry but this isn't herpes simplex.
grace
FYI - crp isn't a disease - it's a blood test that checks for signs of inflammation. It's usually only checked in kids when trying to diagnose kawaski syndrome which at this point your daughter doesn't sound anywhere near sick enough to have that ( yes I know you'll google it and find something else to worry about now but trust me - I've been a pediatric nurse for 20+ years now - they are very noticeably ill when they have it and the rash tends to also be on the hands, feet and groin, not just the areas her rash is in ).
Sweetie I know it's hard not to worry but this isn't herpes simplex.
grace
Thanks for your responses, I feel better. I can't help but freak out under the circumstances, so thanks for bearing with me and my freak outs. I'm on my way to the lab, but won't find out results till Monday. I really hope every things ok.
They are probably going to check for Eurythema Multiforme or Eczema Herpetiforme. I've had the same scare with my son and they would not test him. I know it is absolutely terrifying but of course I was worried about hsv2 not hsv1. Just be strong for your daughter and until she is diagnosed try not to make yourself ill with worry. (I know, very hard not to do!) Also be aware that SO many children have HSV1 that it is not abnormal at all. Some children may have a stronger initial reaction to it but it is so common that you really should not fret too much. With hsv1 orally she would probably very rarely if ever even get oral coldsores. I've had it since being a child and once every two years I MAY get a coldsore if I run a high fever.
They did not know what caused my son's rash and said it could viral. My thought was...DUH that is exactly what I am worried about!!!
Please let us know how the appt goes for your daughter.
They did not know what caused my son's rash and said it could viral. My thought was...DUH that is exactly what I am worried about!!!
Please let us know how the appt goes for your daughter.
There is no way that's HSV1. That is simply not the area it infects. You need to relax a bit, but you did the right thing scheduling the lab appointment.
ok well I read this-
"The person may have some other symptoms with the herpes episode, such as mild fevers, feeling tired, swollen lymph nodes, and body aches. Oral herpes usually appears on the lips, gums, soft palate, back of the throat, or the face. Genital herpes in women usually appears on the labia, vagina, cervix, buttocks, and perineum (between the vagina and anus). Genital herpes in men usually appears on the shaft of the penis, head of the penis (glans), buttocks, thighs, and perineum."
Okay, granted, she doesn't have anything really near her mouth or touching her mouth. she does have rash clusters on her cheek tho. I'm not trying to be a paranoid freak, I'm just really concerned. Considering my scare, I mean her rash is really pushing me over the edge. So no, she has nothing in her mouth, around her mouth or on her genitals. They secrete a clear fluid and not yellow, I don't know if that makes a difference though.If I understand correctly tho, a contaminated hand can spread herpes to ones mouth or genitals, so this means herpes can't break out on the body? or can it?
"The person may have some other symptoms with the herpes episode, such as mild fevers, feeling tired, swollen lymph nodes, and body aches. Oral herpes usually appears on the lips, gums, soft palate, back of the throat, or the face. Genital herpes in women usually appears on the labia, vagina, cervix, buttocks, and perineum (between the vagina and anus). Genital herpes in men usually appears on the shaft of the penis, head of the penis (glans), buttocks, thighs, and perineum."
Okay, granted, she doesn't have anything really near her mouth or touching her mouth. she does have rash clusters on her cheek tho. I'm not trying to be a paranoid freak, I'm just really concerned. Considering my scare, I mean her rash is really pushing me over the edge. So no, she has nothing in her mouth, around her mouth or on her genitals. They secrete a clear fluid and not yellow, I don't know if that makes a difference though.If I understand correctly tho, a contaminated hand can spread herpes to ones mouth or genitals, so this means herpes can't break out on the body? or can it?
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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.
