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HSV Symptoms
Hello, I have HSV1 IGG 5.17 HSV2 Negative.
I have been getting cold sores for 20 years. This year I have had tingling and flu like symptoms without having any sores. The symptoms tend to come when I am having a BV flair up, which also started this year. I am confused by this.
I have been getting cold sores for 20 years. This year I have had tingling and flu like symptoms without having any sores. The symptoms tend to come when I am having a BV flair up, which also started this year. I am confused by this.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A couple of months, certainly within 6 months. Having had cold sores for 20 years, this isn't an issue for you.
Thank you for the information. How long, from the initial exposure, does it take for HSV to build the antibodies that protect you from further transmission to other sites of the body?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for the expanded information.
First, you can't catch the same HSV type a second time; the immune system prevents it. People with longstanding HSV 1 or 2 don't get new infections at new body sites -- so you can be sure you don't have genital HSV-1.
The tingling, burning, etc that go along with herpes only occur for 1-2 days before an outbreak begins and are pretty much localized to the area where the oubreak is about to occur. These symptoms usually then go away even as the blisters/sores develop. More generalized (your arms, legs) or prolonged symptoms, without lesions, do not suggest herpes. Many websites that list genital herpes symptoms don't describe the relationship with lesions -- but the large majority of genital itching, tingling, etc is not due to herpes.
So although I am sorry to hear about your problems with BV, with the negative blood test result for HSV-2, it is very unlikely you have genital herpes. However, recurrent vaginal discharge on occasion can be evidence of herpes recurring internally; and depending on when last summer's sexual relationship ended, your November blood test may have been too early to pick up a new HSV-2 infection. I don't really think that's likely, but this is something you could discuss with your doctor.
Also, there are gynecologists who specialize in infectious diseases. Assuming your doctor isn't one of them, consider asking for a referral. Such a specialist might be able to sort out your recurrent BV and would be in an excellent position to advise you further about your herpes concerns, perhaps including a repeat blood test for HSV-2.
I hope this has helped. Good luck with it all-- HHH, MD
First, you can't catch the same HSV type a second time; the immune system prevents it. People with longstanding HSV 1 or 2 don't get new infections at new body sites -- so you can be sure you don't have genital HSV-1.
The tingling, burning, etc that go along with herpes only occur for 1-2 days before an outbreak begins and are pretty much localized to the area where the oubreak is about to occur. These symptoms usually then go away even as the blisters/sores develop. More generalized (your arms, legs) or prolonged symptoms, without lesions, do not suggest herpes. Many websites that list genital herpes symptoms don't describe the relationship with lesions -- but the large majority of genital itching, tingling, etc is not due to herpes.
So although I am sorry to hear about your problems with BV, with the negative blood test result for HSV-2, it is very unlikely you have genital herpes. However, recurrent vaginal discharge on occasion can be evidence of herpes recurring internally; and depending on when last summer's sexual relationship ended, your November blood test may have been too early to pick up a new HSV-2 infection. I don't really think that's likely, but this is something you could discuss with your doctor.
Also, there are gynecologists who specialize in infectious diseases. Assuming your doctor isn't one of them, consider asking for a referral. Such a specialist might be able to sort out your recurrent BV and would be in an excellent position to advise you further about your herpes concerns, perhaps including a repeat blood test for HSV-2.
I hope this has helped. Good luck with it all-- HHH, MD
I am just confused by these body aches and the inflammation. I did the HSV blood tests in November of 2011 when these symptoms first started to be safe. My relationship started 4 months prior. My boyfriend gets cold sores too. Maybe I now have HSV 1 on my genitals? Thats my concern.
Ok I will try my best to explain. I started a new relationship in August of 2011.
I was not active sexually for several years prior to this new relationship.
I started to get Vaginal infections and went to my gynecologist. She diagnosed BV. My cold sores started almost 20 years ago. With the BV i have had discharge, odor and body aches. Achey feelings in my legs, sometimes my arms. I also had fatigue. I always worry about the HSV 1 and self transmission. So I asked the Dr if this could be herpes on my genitals. She said that there were no lesions , she can't do a swab test without lesions. So we did a blood test in November of 2011. That test came back as IGG 5.17 for HSV1 HSV 2 came back negative.
The BV has returned several times, along with the achey symptoms in my legs, groin, buttox, arms along with redness ,greyish fluid and odor. No sores or lesions .
I was not active sexually for several years prior to this new relationship.
I started to get Vaginal infections and went to my gynecologist. She diagnosed BV. My cold sores started almost 20 years ago. With the BV i have had discharge, odor and body aches. Achey feelings in my legs, sometimes my arms. I also had fatigue. I always worry about the HSV 1 and self transmission. So I asked the Dr if this could be herpes on my genitals. She said that there were no lesions , she can't do a swab test without lesions. So we did a blood test in November of 2011. That test came back as IGG 5.17 for HSV1 HSV 2 came back negative.
The BV has returned several times, along with the achey symptoms in my legs, groin, buttox, arms along with redness ,greyish fluid and odor. No sores or lesions .
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome. Thanks for posting your own question. I'll try to help you sort this out.
First, please clarify whether your "tingling and flu like symptoms without having any sores" means new genital symptoms, which seems to be implied by your comment about vaginal symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. Or are these oral symptoms that you are concerned might be related to your oral HSV-1 infection?
"Flu-like" symptoms (headache, muscle aches, fever, etc) do not accompany recurrent herpes, either oral or genital. Such symptoms occur only with initial herpes. So whether oral or genital, we can pretty much exclude recurrent herpes as the cause.
Your blood test indicates you have HSV-1, as expected given your oral herpes history, and it reliably shows you don't have HSV-2, unless you acquired it in the 6-12 weeks before the blood test was done.
So please provide more detail about the location of the tingling and whether your sexual practices and partnerships might have put you at risk for genital herpes. I look forward to the more detailed information, at which time I might be able to provide better advice.
Best regards-- HHH, MD
First, please clarify whether your "tingling and flu like symptoms without having any sores" means new genital symptoms, which seems to be implied by your comment about vaginal symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. Or are these oral symptoms that you are concerned might be related to your oral HSV-1 infection?
"Flu-like" symptoms (headache, muscle aches, fever, etc) do not accompany recurrent herpes, either oral or genital. Such symptoms occur only with initial herpes. So whether oral or genital, we can pretty much exclude recurrent herpes as the cause.
Your blood test indicates you have HSV-1, as expected given your oral herpes history, and it reliably shows you don't have HSV-2, unless you acquired it in the 6-12 weeks before the blood test was done.
So please provide more detail about the location of the tingling and whether your sexual practices and partnerships might have put you at risk for genital herpes. I look forward to the more detailed information, at which time I might be able to provide better advice.
Best regards-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
