herpes or not

[May29]

About two weeks ago I started having a yellow discharge - I know very gross - and my lymph nodes in my groin area were swollen and tender.  Then I had profuse itching in vaginal area.  Days later after I had shaved my pubic area and had a bath with old bath oils - I didn't know the oil was old - I broke out in a few itchy bumps.  I thought they were ingrown hairs.  Then there became more and more of them.  They were red with a ittle yellow in them and filled with pus.  They hurt alot - it hurt to where jeans.  I felt so dirty - but the same day that I broke out with all my spots my boyfriend broke out with the exact same spots just below his belly button but above genitals.  I went to doctor worried sick - she advised it was folliculitis gave me some cream and some oral antibiotics.  She advised that it absolutely did not look like an STD of any kind.  I went home after seeing the doctor started my medication - got the chills and was so tired.  I used the cream for a few days but it made bumps worse.  I went back to the Doctor as my discharge had gotten way worse and profuse - I had to wear a pantiliner as it was so heavy.   I went home all depressed I kept telling her that maybe it was herpes but she did not believe me.  I started using Pro-active on my spots and they started to dry up and clear up.  But I still have swollen glands in my groin and my butt hurts.  Everytime I put on clothes or I brush up against a piece of furniture my butt just hurts.  My question is I have only ever been with two guys - my husband of ten years and my boyfriend of one year.  We have never cheated on each other.  And none of his girlfriends have ever broke out with herpes.  So where did this come from. and why would we both break out with rash at same time.  If one of us was carrying it we both shouldn't have broke out with rash at same time right?  And now I worry about transmitting it to my two little girls if I have it.  I won't let them use my bathroom and I am washing my hands till they are raw.  Can anyone offer me any advise??

[jezzie]

Hi,  have been with my partner 12 years and I feel he has been faithful and we think I contracted through oral sex.  I have a good friend with HSV2 and my diagnosis is HSV1.  I can tell you the symptoms you describe sound very close to mine.  Go back and read my post to DR. HHH a few weeks ago.  The good news is if you have HSV1, you may never have another outbreak or maybe 1 or 2 and then they subside.  What I have been told is HSV2 outbreaks are more common and they are more localized.  My oubtreak was all over, terrible groin pain, butt pain, etc.  It was awful.  You really need to call your doctors office and if it is not to late, have them do a herpes culture.  Dr. HHH suggested I do this which I did and sure enough, HSV1.  I had them use the original culture.  A blood test will not show up until after a few months which I recommend you do also.  I went on Valtrex and it really helped clear things up.  The good news is once you get past the initial infection, you may not have any problems or more mild problems.  Call your doctor, be demanding, it is your health!  Also, go to the forum and read up on HSV1 and HSV2.  I have come to grips with it.  There are a lot worse things you can have and HSV1 is certainly more controlable than HSV2.  Hang in there but get the facts don't guess, it will drive you crazy  From what I understand, having children should be no problem but again, it would be helpful to know which type.  Please keep us posted.

[May29]

Thanks Jezzie for your post - I did have a culture done on the spots for bacteria and they came back negative - but the doctor never swabbed them for hepres and now they are gone - she did do an internal swab for herpes - so I guess I wait and see what that is.  i am pretty sure that I have it and I have come to terms in my head with it that it is just an uncomfortable skin rash and if I had it anywhere else but my genitals it would be socially acceptable.  So I know I can get through this - I just want to start treatment to help get rid of my additional symptoms like swollen glands and butt pain.  But the Doc is just so sure it is not herpes.  Everything on the net says I have it-so I am stuck between a rock and hard place.  Hey Jezzie do you have alot of outbreaks?  Have you ever had kids after getting herpes?

[jezzie]

Hi there,  not to alarm you but I have been in a monogomus relationship for 12 years and was tested in October negative for all STDs.  I recently acquired HSV 1 from my partner genially who did not know he had it orally for years and years.  It is possible and I trust him completely.  Not to scare you but you should demand your doctor do a culture of the lesions immediately and if positive for herpes, type for 1 and 2.  Then, post your questions to Dr. HHH on the STD forum once you get the results.  He is incredible and the most knowledgable professional I have come across.  He has assured me it is not the end of the world and we can lead a relatively healthy sex life.  If it is HSV 1, 40% of people never have reoccurances and if it is HSV 2, there is suppresive therapy that can help.  I received HSV 1 from my partner by him performing oral sex on me when he had absolutely NO visable signs.  

I can tell you that my initial outbreak was absolutely horrible.  I had chills, fever, incredible tiredness and then broke out in small blister type lesions everywhere.  It was horrible but I started Valtrex for 2 weeks and it is almost entirely clear now.  Hang in there, just get the facts so you know what your dealing with and don't blame or accuse each other, it gets you know where.
Best of luck!