Dr. (My friend and I have found your forum to be extremely helpful, spread the word to many!!)
I posted a message titled "Herpes Scare?" on 7/21. I had intense itching in my "upper butt crack" area, dry skin in that area with white flaky borders, and a couple of raised bumps, and 1 red one that was in the skin. This was 22-23 days post encounter which was less than 1 minute unprotected vaginal and a short unprotected oral session. This itching lasted 1.5 weeks, then everything gradually feeling better, but I still itch in this area and yesterday it got worse again. Your response was it didn't sound like herpes, (onset timing was longer than usual, location for initial was unuasual, and itching length of time was unusual), but more likley a yeast overgrowth caused by all the antibiotics. (2 doses of azithro, 1 7 day dose of levo, and 1 2 gram dose of flagyl) (also 10 day course of valtrex) all given by dr, just in case. I have an appointment scheduled on Wednesday (6 weeks post encounter) with my Dr to check on everything and do the bloodtests. However, I want to make sure I bring up everything in this appointment since I travel globally and will not be able to get back in town if followup is needed.
New addition!!! Flu like symptoms- at the 5 week mark (last wednesday) i started feeling pain in my back and very tired. Today and the last 2 days, I have been tired, muscle aches, but mainly I feel really "foggy" in my head, with mild headaches and can't sleep. NO FEVER. In the morning it is not so bad, but by 4:00pm or so I feel really bad and irritated. I have had diarrhea since I started taking the antibiotics.(5 days post exposure) (I have not been sick for 3-4 years at all). Questions to make sure I cover everything with my Dr.
1)Flu like symptoms - when do they usually occur during a primary herpes outbreak in relation to bumps/sores? Mine started 5 weeks after the encounter, and about 6 days after the rash/itching/bumps in my buttocks crack became noticable. Does the addition of these flu like symptoms change your view that my bumps/itching doesn't sound at all like herpes?
2) Yeast Overgrowth - If this is indeed the cause of my symptoms (as you said is a possibility), would that perhaps cause these flu like symptoms? I read here that candidas could be caused by antibiotics use and does indeed sometimes cause flu like symptoms as well. Is that possible or likely?
3) I hate to even bring this up, but does my flu like symptoms and the addition of the itching and dry skin etc. sound anything like initial HIV issues? 5 weeks post encounter sounds like too much time, but want to get your opinion please?
4) I have been avoiding sex with my wife b/c I fear what I have may be herpes. I will do the testing to make sure at the exact 6 week mark on Wednesday. However, the results will take some time, and wanted to get your opinion on the herpes possibility based on the new flu like symptom information.
Thanks again for the follow-up!