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long symptoms
Dr.
Back on January 2, I noticed a cold sore on the top of my lip and bottom of my chin which I have never seen before. I didn't know if it was a pimple or a cold sore so went to medcenter for blood test and came back only for hsv 1 positive. Dr. gave me 2 days worth of valtrex which I took along with topical med for cold sore. About a day after the cold sore I started to have severe flu symptoms fever, loss of appetite, weakness, tiredness, chills and some burning and tingling sensation on my feet and hand.
I was worried that I may be HIV positive so did a antibody test a 6 weeks after possible exposure and a PCR/DNA test at 6 weeks which both came negative. After about a week I noticed some red rashes on my forehead but the fever went away. The weakness and especially tiredness and sleepiness continued. Third week into the flu symptoms began my neck started to stiffen up so went to ER for spinal tap for meningitis which came back negative for both viral and bacterial meningitis. Same week started to have headaches and now have sharp joint pains on my knees and hips area. I still feel tired and irritable after 4 weeks and doesn't seem to let up. Are all of these symptoms normal progression of oral herpes primary outbreak or do you think there something more here? What is the normal duration for herpes primary outbreak? Would taking valtrex help in reducing the severity of symptoms ie tiredness and joint paiin? I did test negative for mono and hepatits. Thank you for your advice
Back on January 2, I noticed a cold sore on the top of my lip and bottom of my chin which I have never seen before. I didn't know if it was a pimple or a cold sore so went to medcenter for blood test and came back only for hsv 1 positive. Dr. gave me 2 days worth of valtrex which I took along with topical med for cold sore. About a day after the cold sore I started to have severe flu symptoms fever, loss of appetite, weakness, tiredness, chills and some burning and tingling sensation on my feet and hand.
I was worried that I may be HIV positive so did a antibody test a 6 weeks after possible exposure and a PCR/DNA test at 6 weeks which both came negative. After about a week I noticed some red rashes on my forehead but the fever went away. The weakness and especially tiredness and sleepiness continued. Third week into the flu symptoms began my neck started to stiffen up so went to ER for spinal tap for meningitis which came back negative for both viral and bacterial meningitis. Same week started to have headaches and now have sharp joint pains on my knees and hips area. I still feel tired and irritable after 4 weeks and doesn't seem to let up. Are all of these symptoms normal progression of oral herpes primary outbreak or do you think there something more here? What is the normal duration for herpes primary outbreak? Would taking valtrex help in reducing the severity of symptoms ie tiredness and joint paiin? I did test negative for mono and hepatits. Thank you for your advice
One last question Doctor. I am getting tested for Chlamdia, Syphilis, and Gonnorhea. I have not any sores on the genital area, no discharge from penis nor pain during urination. Are any of the symptoms described above indicate any of the three std's i m testing for. sorry for being impatient. thank you
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, you have already ruled out HIV withthe negative antibody and PCR test you mentioned earleir. No concern there. EWH
can I rule out HIV with the antinody and pcr test? I will be seeing infectious specialist tomorrow thank you
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It is unclear from your history whether the cold sore you noted was a primary infection of not. Many people with orolabial herpes (cold sores) have infection which precedes the appearance of the cold sores. You did not mention what happened to the lesion but my sense is that it resolved, correct?
While some of the symptoms you describe are similar to those that accompany first outbreaks of herpes infections, I doubt that your current complaints are due to herpes. The accompanying symptoms typically resolve as the lesions resolve and for them to last beyond a week or two is exceedingly uncommon. The headaches and joint pains are common symptoms for many viral infections and are far more likely to reflect some other, community acquired virus that herpes. I suspect there is little to be gained from valacyclovir therapy unless you have active recurrence of your cold sore and that symptomatic therapy from your physician is more likely to be helpful.
Hope this helps. EWH
While some of the symptoms you describe are similar to those that accompany first outbreaks of herpes infections, I doubt that your current complaints are due to herpes. The accompanying symptoms typically resolve as the lesions resolve and for them to last beyond a week or two is exceedingly uncommon. The headaches and joint pains are common symptoms for many viral infections and are far more likely to reflect some other, community acquired virus that herpes. I suspect there is little to be gained from valacyclovir therapy unless you have active recurrence of your cold sore and that symptomatic therapy from your physician is more likely to be helpful.
Hope this helps. EWH
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.
