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A question about "ignorant asymptomatics"
Hi all,
I've read that many people with hsv2 are asymptomatic (no lesions w/ liquid, no scabbing etc). I also read an article stating that, when properly educated about the full range of symptoms of hsv2, the percentage who realized they did in fact have such symptoms dropped the actual percentage of asymptomatics down to 20%.
My question: what are such symptoms? I've looked at hundreds of photos online of genital herpes, and of those, maybe 2% look similar to what I had recently. Are there any people on this forum who thought themselves asymptomatic, but after being educated about what to look for, discovered they did in fact have symptoms? If so, could you share what such signs look/feel like? This issue seems really vague to me, so personal experiences may help me determine if I have in fact had symptoms.
I'm hsv1+ since childhood, hsv2+ at 2.23 on first test. An additional test a week after the first (without numbers given) again put me at positive for both. Will definitely get a WB when I can, while in the meantime I'll be taking Valtrex daily.
Thanks for your time. I'm really borderline- hsv1+ and a score lower than 3 make a WB test necessary to fully determine my status. The third variable- symptoms, is also up in the air. I've never had the classic lesions, but have had "jock itch" occasionally, and most recently, a bad case of penile thrush, even though I wash regularly, etc.
I've read that many people with hsv2 are asymptomatic (no lesions w/ liquid, no scabbing etc). I also read an article stating that, when properly educated about the full range of symptoms of hsv2, the percentage who realized they did in fact have such symptoms dropped the actual percentage of asymptomatics down to 20%.
My question: what are such symptoms? I've looked at hundreds of photos online of genital herpes, and of those, maybe 2% look similar to what I had recently. Are there any people on this forum who thought themselves asymptomatic, but after being educated about what to look for, discovered they did in fact have symptoms? If so, could you share what such signs look/feel like? This issue seems really vague to me, so personal experiences may help me determine if I have in fact had symptoms.
I'm hsv1+ since childhood, hsv2+ at 2.23 on first test. An additional test a week after the first (without numbers given) again put me at positive for both. Will definitely get a WB when I can, while in the meantime I'll be taking Valtrex daily.
Thanks for your time. I'm really borderline- hsv1+ and a score lower than 3 make a WB test necessary to fully determine my status. The third variable- symptoms, is also up in the air. I've never had the classic lesions, but have had "jock itch" occasionally, and most recently, a bad case of penile thrush, even though I wash regularly, etc.
The 'papercut' or series of 'papercuts' is the most common non-traditional, yet visible herpes symptom.
Some people don't ever develop classic watery blisters. Only what they suspect are these small painful papercuts all over their genitals or maybe just one.
Anyway, for more examples, you should get familiar with the archives here.
Some people don't ever develop classic watery blisters. Only what they suspect are these small painful papercuts all over their genitals or maybe just one.
Anyway, for more examples, you should get familiar with the archives here.
it's gone- anti-fungal meds took care of it. Since I tested positive of hsv2, it's unlikely to be an outbreak. As I've never had anything this bad before, it's also unlikely to be the primary outbreak. the antigens take time to show up.
There is nothing to swab- to liquid/weeping/lesion etc. No burning or itching either. That test is also unavailable where I am.
Back to my original question- does anyone have detailed symptoms that either they or there doctor though were NOT herpes, but actually turned out to be symptomatic of herpes? The visual misdiagnosis rate is quite high, but nonetheless I'd like to see/here examples of non-typical symptoms (no lesion/blister that scabs/weeps etc) that are considered to be in fact signs of hsv2. Thanks.
There is nothing to swab- to liquid/weeping/lesion etc. No burning or itching either. That test is also unavailable where I am.
Back to my original question- does anyone have detailed symptoms that either they or there doctor though were NOT herpes, but actually turned out to be symptomatic of herpes? The visual misdiagnosis rate is quite high, but nonetheless I'd like to see/here examples of non-typical symptoms (no lesion/blister that scabs/weeps etc) that are considered to be in fact signs of hsv2. Thanks.
Im not a doctor clearly, but to me those photos indicate a herpes infection. Although not typical for herpes to present itself on the head of the penis, with 2 confirmed positive HSV2 scores I would believe this is the type of outbreak you can expect from the virus.
Have ever swabbed the area to see if it showed up positive for herpes? If not, why haven't you already? I wouldn't waste any more time if that is still on your genitals.
A WB would cement your status, but I don't see the result changing. 2 confirmed positives in my opinion indicate a definitive positive infection for herpes.
Good luck.
Have ever swabbed the area to see if it showed up positive for herpes? If not, why haven't you already? I wouldn't waste any more time if that is still on your genitals.
A WB would cement your status, but I don't see the result changing. 2 confirmed positives in my opinion indicate a definitive positive infection for herpes.
Good luck.
yes- only the head, never the shaft/scrotum. Because I was tested only 3 days after the rash appeared, and because my body reacted well to the prescribed anti-fungal medication (I'm all cleared up now), I think the rash was indeed Candidias. You're right, it would've been too soon to test positive if this were a primary outbreak. But, that means- if my results are correct- that I obtained hsv2 at some point in the past. That's what is strange- primary outbreaks are usually the most severe, but I've never had one before. I will have to wait for several months to take the WB. One other thing- clotrimazole did not help this thrush- which is why I was suspicious it may be something else.
Saw the pictures... I'd definitely go for a Western Blot.
This wouldn't have been your primary outbreak. If it was new to your system, your blood wouldn't have turned positive already. And, recurrences, are much milder than primary outbreaks... usually just a blister or a small grouping of them.
Your jock itch: Also limited to the glans (head)?
This wouldn't have been your primary outbreak. If it was new to your system, your blood wouldn't have turned positive already. And, recurrences, are much milder than primary outbreaks... usually just a blister or a small grouping of them.
Your jock itch: Also limited to the glans (head)?
1. Raised red bumps all over my penis head. Not sure if this is okay, but here's the link to pretty clear images
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Venereal-Diseases-2106/2014/6/red-spots-rash-penis.htm
Never had anything that bad before. This was diagnosed as Candidias.
Jock Itch: kind of what you see in the images, but fewer in number, size and ferocity. I would get them maybe 4 times a year, and some clotrimazole would clear them up within a day or two- no itching, burning, discharge, scabbing, weeping, pus or lesions.
Sex history: heterosexual, monogamous relationships. Always use protection for vaginal sex (not for oral). I tested because, though the doc said it wasn't necessary, I wanted to be sure- the rash was just terrifying. As I said above- what I had looks like maybe 2% of all of the pictures I've seen online for herpes. The ambiguity is the problem, so I'm trying to examine more closely the symptoms/jock itch. I'm uncircumcised.
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Venereal-Diseases-2106/2014/6/red-spots-rash-penis.htm
Never had anything that bad before. This was diagnosed as Candidias.
Jock Itch: kind of what you see in the images, but fewer in number, size and ferocity. I would get them maybe 4 times a year, and some clotrimazole would clear them up within a day or two- no itching, burning, discharge, scabbing, weeping, pus or lesions.
Sex history: heterosexual, monogamous relationships. Always use protection for vaginal sex (not for oral). I tested because, though the doc said it wasn't necessary, I wanted to be sure- the rash was just terrifying. As I said above- what I had looks like maybe 2% of all of the pictures I've seen online for herpes. The ambiguity is the problem, so I'm trying to examine more closely the symptoms/jock itch. I'm uncircumcised.
What does the penile thrush involve?
And your jock itch consists of...? Do you actually get what appears to be a rash?
What was your sexual history leading up to testing and why did you test at all for HSV2?
And your jock itch consists of...? Do you actually get what appears to be a rash?
What was your sexual history leading up to testing and why did you test at all for HSV2?
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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.
