Aa
Ongoing anxiety still very worried about HSV and HIV
I am 25/f. Grinded with a male friend (no condom). No penetration. Friction for 5 min rubbing penis around anus/buttocks. Ejaculation between buttocks/thighs possible tiny amount on surface of vagina
Wk1: Rash on the buttocks and thighs. Tingling and burning sensation inside the buttocks and back of legs. NP said looks like heat rash or contact derm. not herpes HSV1/2 Blood test negative. Got topical ointment
Wk2: Applied fluocinonide cream directly to anus and inside buttocks
Wk3: Area next to anus very dry/raw/crackly. Maybe since not supposed to put cream directly on anus? Lasted 5 days
Wk4: Nasty cold/flu. Sneezing, runny nose, headache, swollen glands in the neck, temp (99.1). Lasted 1 week.
Wk5 : Burning sensation returned, more noticeable, in the inner and outer buttocks area, back of thighs and down to the lower legs. Lasted 3 weeks
Felt an irritation on anus. Similar to dry/raw feeling. Looked and noticed a clear rectangular dry looking indent. OBGYN said doesn’t look like herpes, but could presents as non-classic. Said cream might have caused dryness but it had been 2 weeks since I stopped using. Irritation gone in 2 days
Wk 6: Guy tests negative for HSV1 and 2 type spec Herpeselect from Quest Diag. Claims hasn’t had sex in a few months. 98% assurance
Wk 8: Sudden appearance of two small bumps under the skin on thumb pad. White, firm circles with a tiny black dent in each center. Not painful or itchy, don’t seem to be fluid filled. Another tiny white circle with red dot under skin, no bump
NP said looks like trauma / calluses. Possibly caused by tightening a bike screw, pressing thumb pad against the bolt (but I do this often and never appeared before)
Wk 10: Another nasty cold/flu. All same as before but with sore throat. lasted 2 weeks
Wk 12 (now): Bumps on thumb went down, now red spots with surface of skin peeling off
CBC test for a pre-op. Lymphocytes 18, Neutrophils 73, WBC 10
1. Herpes? Low chance but if not then what?
2. HIV?
3. Whitlow?
Wk1: Rash on the buttocks and thighs. Tingling and burning sensation inside the buttocks and back of legs. NP said looks like heat rash or contact derm. not herpes HSV1/2 Blood test negative. Got topical ointment
Wk2: Applied fluocinonide cream directly to anus and inside buttocks
Wk3: Area next to anus very dry/raw/crackly. Maybe since not supposed to put cream directly on anus? Lasted 5 days
Wk4: Nasty cold/flu. Sneezing, runny nose, headache, swollen glands in the neck, temp (99.1). Lasted 1 week.
Wk5 : Burning sensation returned, more noticeable, in the inner and outer buttocks area, back of thighs and down to the lower legs. Lasted 3 weeks
Felt an irritation on anus. Similar to dry/raw feeling. Looked and noticed a clear rectangular dry looking indent. OBGYN said doesn’t look like herpes, but could presents as non-classic. Said cream might have caused dryness but it had been 2 weeks since I stopped using. Irritation gone in 2 days
Wk 6: Guy tests negative for HSV1 and 2 type spec Herpeselect from Quest Diag. Claims hasn’t had sex in a few months. 98% assurance
Wk 8: Sudden appearance of two small bumps under the skin on thumb pad. White, firm circles with a tiny black dent in each center. Not painful or itchy, don’t seem to be fluid filled. Another tiny white circle with red dot under skin, no bump
NP said looks like trauma / calluses. Possibly caused by tightening a bike screw, pressing thumb pad against the bolt (but I do this often and never appeared before)
Wk 10: Another nasty cold/flu. All same as before but with sore throat. lasted 2 weeks
Wk 12 (now): Bumps on thumb went down, now red spots with surface of skin peeling off
CBC test for a pre-op. Lymphocytes 18, Neutrophils 73, WBC 10
1. Herpes? Low chance but if not then what?
2. HIV?
3. Whitlow?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
I reviewed your previous discussions with Terri on the herpes forum and with Grace and others on the herpes community forum. Pardon me for seeming blunt, but you really do need to work to accept the overwhelming scientific evidence that you do not have genital herpes or any other STD, and to look elsewhere for your symptoms. And despite what you think you have learned on line or elsewhere, your symptoms really are not at all suggestive of herpes, and your blood tests show you weren't infected with HSV-1 or 2. Finally, your partner's blood test results show you could not have caught HSV from him.
Your symptoms also do not suggest HIV or any other STD either. My best guess is that most of of them are the physical manifestations of unresolved anxieties about all this, which can make people notice normal body sensations or other trivial symptoms that otherwise would not be noticed or cause concern. You might discuss this possibility with your doctor. To your specific questions:
1) For sure not herpes. This has been proved beyond doubt.
2) HIV doesn't cause such symptoms either, and the exposure described could not have resulted in HIV transmission even if your partner were infected.
3) Your skin bumps are not compatible with herpes whitlow.
As for other explanations for your symptoms, I have nothing more to suggest. They are unrelated to the sexual exposure you are concerned about, other than the possible psychological link.
I hope this will help you understand once and for all that you don't have herpes, HIV, or any other STD. Work with your doctors about other explanations, but do try to stop worrying about the sexual exposure. From an infection standpoint it was a non-event.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
I reviewed your previous discussions with Terri on the herpes forum and with Grace and others on the herpes community forum. Pardon me for seeming blunt, but you really do need to work to accept the overwhelming scientific evidence that you do not have genital herpes or any other STD, and to look elsewhere for your symptoms. And despite what you think you have learned on line or elsewhere, your symptoms really are not at all suggestive of herpes, and your blood tests show you weren't infected with HSV-1 or 2. Finally, your partner's blood test results show you could not have caught HSV from him.
Your symptoms also do not suggest HIV or any other STD either. My best guess is that most of of them are the physical manifestations of unresolved anxieties about all this, which can make people notice normal body sensations or other trivial symptoms that otherwise would not be noticed or cause concern. You might discuss this possibility with your doctor. To your specific questions:
1) For sure not herpes. This has been proved beyond doubt.
2) HIV doesn't cause such symptoms either, and the exposure described could not have resulted in HIV transmission even if your partner were infected.
3) Your skin bumps are not compatible with herpes whitlow.
As for other explanations for your symptoms, I have nothing more to suggest. They are unrelated to the sexual exposure you are concerned about, other than the possible psychological link.
I hope this will help you understand once and for all that you don't have herpes, HIV, or any other STD. Work with your doctors about other explanations, but do try to stop worrying about the sexual exposure. From an infection standpoint it was a non-event.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
A related discussion, Recurrences of new symptoms was started.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Sorry, this is no longer reasonable. Re-read my replies above. Exactly what did you not understand? You had a no-risk exposure, no symptoms (previously or now) that suggest herpes, and your repreated blood test results prove you don't have it. You seem to assume that any and all skin problems or other symptoms you have must somehow be related to herpes or to the "grinding" exposure that you obviously regret. They are not. Talk to your own doctor about your new symptoms. This thread is closed to new comments. And please do not be tempted to start a new thread with more questions about herpes. Superfluous anxiety-driven questions are another abuse of MedHelp rules and are deleted without reply (and without refund of the posting fee).
Dr Hunter,
Sorry to bother you, but I would be grateful for your advice until my next appointment.
Good news, I got a 12-week blood test (combined HSV1/2) which is negative at 0.03.
I was ready to put this behind until I realized more bumps appeared on two other fingers on the same hand, and also on the palm. They are tiny bumps on/near the pad of the fingers. No pain or itch, and small enough that I have to look closely, but noticeable and bothersome.
I noticed a rash with small red bumps on both sides of my crotch in between the upper thigh and vagina. Not raised bumps and no fluid. Red circles and small blotchy areas.
Five days ago I went through a laparoscopic surgical procedure. I was told they put in a urinary catheter, and I will find out next week if they used tape to secure it to and maybe that is what caused the rash on the crotch area. Otherwise I have no other reasonable explanation. I don’t know what could be causing the tiny bumps on the hand.
I am very confused and not sure how to proceed.
Questions:
• I read some people don’t seroconvert until 6 months, and some never show positive on HSV tests. For the people who never convert, is that specific to the person, or a specific strain of the virus? Partner in question tested negative at 6 weeks, I’m thinking, there’s no way the test “missed” us both (unless there’s a particular “strain” that doesn’t initiate development of IGG antibodies).
• Is it true that whitlow is almost always painful/itchy, appears near the cuticle instead of the pad of fingers and palm?
• Is it true that bumps would always follow the typical pattern of turning into fluid filled sores that burst and crust over? Instead of a "static" red blotchy flat rash?
I guess I’m just paranoid about all of these weird coincidences.
Thanks in advance.
Sorry to bother you, but I would be grateful for your advice until my next appointment.
Good news, I got a 12-week blood test (combined HSV1/2) which is negative at 0.03.
I was ready to put this behind until I realized more bumps appeared on two other fingers on the same hand, and also on the palm. They are tiny bumps on/near the pad of the fingers. No pain or itch, and small enough that I have to look closely, but noticeable and bothersome.
I noticed a rash with small red bumps on both sides of my crotch in between the upper thigh and vagina. Not raised bumps and no fluid. Red circles and small blotchy areas.
Five days ago I went through a laparoscopic surgical procedure. I was told they put in a urinary catheter, and I will find out next week if they used tape to secure it to and maybe that is what caused the rash on the crotch area. Otherwise I have no other reasonable explanation. I don’t know what could be causing the tiny bumps on the hand.
I am very confused and not sure how to proceed.
Questions:
• I read some people don’t seroconvert until 6 months, and some never show positive on HSV tests. For the people who never convert, is that specific to the person, or a specific strain of the virus? Partner in question tested negative at 6 weeks, I’m thinking, there’s no way the test “missed” us both (unless there’s a particular “strain” that doesn’t initiate development of IGG antibodies).
• Is it true that whitlow is almost always painful/itchy, appears near the cuticle instead of the pad of fingers and palm?
• Is it true that bumps would always follow the typical pattern of turning into fluid filled sores that burst and crust over? Instead of a "static" red blotchy flat rash?
I guess I’m just paranoid about all of these weird coincidences.
Thanks in advance.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The test results prove that neither you nor your partner has HSV. Therefore, the level of risk associated with the event is irrelevant. Even if it was a very high risk event (it wasn't), transmission didn't happen.
I wish you well in your counseling, and urge you to follow through with it. Abnormal fear of contagion can be evidence of a serious mental health disorder.
That will close out this thread. Good luck and thanks for the thanks.
I wish you well in your counseling, and urge you to follow through with it. Abnormal fear of contagion can be evidence of a serious mental health disorder.
That will close out this thread. Good luck and thanks for the thanks.
I am seeking counseling to resolve the emotional issues that this situation uncovered.
Thanks for the prompt and informative answer, I greatly appreciate your advice and also the other experts and volunteers on the forum.
One last question:
Without penetration, there’s no risk for HIV even if semen contacted the surface of the vaginal opening or anus, correct?
Thank you again.
Thanks for the prompt and informative answer, I greatly appreciate your advice and also the other experts and volunteers on the forum.
One last question:
Without penetration, there’s no risk for HIV even if semen contacted the surface of the vaginal opening or anus, correct?
Thank you again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I saw this before I replied above and it doesn't change anything. But it's further evidence you have a wise doctor!
I should note that the original rash appeared the next day which doc said not consistent with an std.
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.
