Aa
Very worried...
On November 3rd, 2007, I had protected sex and unprotected oral sex performed on me. It was a one night stand, which I had never done before, and I felt really bad about it. I was really worried that I caught something from him and started examining my genitals...A LOT. (I should probably mention I have anxiety issues.) Some irritation started occuring on my inner labia and clitoris...but no sores, bumps or blisters...just red and uncomfortable. On November 27th, 2007, I came down with some sort of virus that included sinus drainage, fever and a raging bad sore throat with swollen glands in my neck. I had to take antibiotics due to a sinus infection and after that, I was sure that I came down with a yeast infection. Treated it with Monistat and got some relief but a week later, it seemed to be back. I saw a doctor who did cultures for yeast, chlamydia and gonnoreah, all of them came back negative,even the yeast. After a couple of weeks, the symptoms lessened and it seemed to go away even though I still felt kind of "weird" down there.
At the end of February, I got a bad case of the flu, which turned into another sinus infection and bronchitis. I had to take Avelox for 10 days and my vaginal symptoms seemed to return. Again, just redness and irritation. Treated again for a yeast infection and symptoms got a little better but never went away until this week...the symptoms are a lot better. I finally saw my doctor again yesterday for my yearly check up. Told her everything and she looked at what I was talking about but said it all looked normal to her. She said it looked a little "dry" but saw nothing to cause any alarm. Even so, she still wanted to do a blood draw for a herpes test. She said that she is pretty sure it isn't herpes but wanted to rule it out. I should also mention that I have psoriasis as well and she said that it could be possible that I have it down there too.
Do these symptoms sound like herpes to you?
At the end of February, I got a bad case of the flu, which turned into another sinus infection and bronchitis. I had to take Avelox for 10 days and my vaginal symptoms seemed to return. Again, just redness and irritation. Treated again for a yeast infection and symptoms got a little better but never went away until this week...the symptoms are a lot better. I finally saw my doctor again yesterday for my yearly check up. Told her everything and she looked at what I was talking about but said it all looked normal to her. She said it looked a little "dry" but saw nothing to cause any alarm. Even so, she still wanted to do a blood draw for a herpes test. She said that she is pretty sure it isn't herpes but wanted to rule it out. I should also mention that I have psoriasis as well and she said that it could be possible that I have it down there too.
Do these symptoms sound like herpes to you?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
For starters, your symptoms do not sound like herpes but admittedly, herpes can present with a variety of signs and symptoms. If your blood test is positive let me know and we can discuss the ramifications depending on what the test shows.
Rather I would suggest you are a victim of circumstance. Let me tell you my interpretation of what I get out of your post and you can correct me where I'm wrong. First. let's get rid of any concern about gonorrhea or chlamydia. You have negative tests and the Avelox treatment you took likely would have cured them if they were present. Having dismissed that, what might have happened. As you point out, concerned about having done something out of character, you started examining yourself carefully. this may have lead to irritation simply due to the repeated exams or it could had simply been a refection of your heightened sense of awareness in relationship to your exposure. Either way, things got worse when you took antibiotics because this sets up a situation where yeast infections are likely to occur, as it did to you (perhaps twice). Finally, all of these factors are exacerbated potentially by your psoriasis. Indeed psoriasis can effect the genitals and even if it does not, it suggest you tend to have sensitive skin.
Bottom line, what you describe does not sound like herpes. You have other, very reasonable explanations. My advice is to try not to worry about it. If the problem persists, working on it with your dermatologist is likely the best way to address it. The chances that this is any STD, including herpes are very, very small. Hope this helps. EWH
Rather I would suggest you are a victim of circumstance. Let me tell you my interpretation of what I get out of your post and you can correct me where I'm wrong. First. let's get rid of any concern about gonorrhea or chlamydia. You have negative tests and the Avelox treatment you took likely would have cured them if they were present. Having dismissed that, what might have happened. As you point out, concerned about having done something out of character, you started examining yourself carefully. this may have lead to irritation simply due to the repeated exams or it could had simply been a refection of your heightened sense of awareness in relationship to your exposure. Either way, things got worse when you took antibiotics because this sets up a situation where yeast infections are likely to occur, as it did to you (perhaps twice). Finally, all of these factors are exacerbated potentially by your psoriasis. Indeed psoriasis can effect the genitals and even if it does not, it suggest you tend to have sensitive skin.
Bottom line, what you describe does not sound like herpes. You have other, very reasonable explanations. My advice is to try not to worry about it. If the problem persists, working on it with your dermatologist is likely the best way to address it. The chances that this is any STD, including herpes are very, very small. Hope this helps. EWH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Glad to hear it. Hope all gets better soon. Thank you for the follow-up. EWH
I just wanted to let you know that my results were negative for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. I am going to now assume that it is due to anxiety and possibly psoriasis.
Thank you again for your reply. You helped me sleep a little better last night. :-)
Thank you again for your reply. You helped me sleep a little better last night. :-)
I really appreciate your reply. I tend to think my worrying and many examinations did indeed lead to all of these issues exacerbated by taking antibiotics as well. I tend to worry A LOT and like I stated before, I have anxiety issues. I was also under an exorbent amount of stress since November, which also could have made my problems worse. What's funny, is when I posted this, my symptoms were better; however, after working out my symptoms are getting a little worse this evening. Either way, I will receive my results either tomorrow or Friday. I do worry that it will come back positive for HSV-1 as I can't remember if I ever had fever blisters as a child and she will think I have HSV-1 genitally. Either way, there isn't anything I can do about it now and I shall wait until I know for sure. I sure did learn my lesson though and will not be having any more one-night stands.
Thank you again Dr. Hook. I will let you know what my results are when I find out.
Thank you again Dr. Hook. I will let you know what my results are when I find out.
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.
