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Possible herpes symptoms?
Several weeks ago I had M-F protected vaginal sex with a woman who told me after that she has HSV-1 genital. She told me because the day after we had sex she found a small hard bump on her bikini line but two swab tests did not find any virus; she had also just shaved her bikini line. (She said she has had HSV-1 for 25 years and has never experienced a recurrence.) I examined myself very closely for the next several weeks and I did not experience any symptoms of a herpes outbreak.
Recently (about 6-1/2 weeks after the sex) I noticed a small red bump on my inner thigh, about the size of a dull pencil point, and with a very small head in the center. It is located close to where my scrotum naturally brushes up against my leg, and is roughly along where the lower band of my boxer-briefs rides. It has remained generally unchanged in size and appearance for the last 10 days. I have tried popping it a few times but can't because it's so small, and have probably prolonged it being there by poking at it and trying a variety of ointments (Neosporin, zit cream, lotion). It does not hurt, there is no tingling or pain, and it seems to be dry, i.e. no liquid comes out.
Yesterday I noticed another similar single bump (about 10 days after the first), only on my OTHER inner thigh, and also roughly along my boxer-brief band on my leg. This one seems to have a barely noticeable white head in the center. And like the other, no pain, tingling or fluid.
Based on this description, is there anything to suggest that this might be herpes? I'm guessing not, based on several factors, but I do not want to presume anything.
Recently (about 6-1/2 weeks after the sex) I noticed a small red bump on my inner thigh, about the size of a dull pencil point, and with a very small head in the center. It is located close to where my scrotum naturally brushes up against my leg, and is roughly along where the lower band of my boxer-briefs rides. It has remained generally unchanged in size and appearance for the last 10 days. I have tried popping it a few times but can't because it's so small, and have probably prolonged it being there by poking at it and trying a variety of ointments (Neosporin, zit cream, lotion). It does not hurt, there is no tingling or pain, and it seems to be dry, i.e. no liquid comes out.
Yesterday I noticed another similar single bump (about 10 days after the first), only on my OTHER inner thigh, and also roughly along my boxer-brief band on my leg. This one seems to have a barely noticeable white head in the center. And like the other, no pain, tingling or fluid.
Based on this description, is there anything to suggest that this might be herpes? I'm guessing not, based on several factors, but I do not want to presume anything.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Her HSV 1 test is positive, and her HSV 2 test is negative. This is consistent with her history of cold sores, yes.
Terri
Terri
Sorry for all the follow-up questions - reading on the Mayo website I think they use BioPlex 2200 HSV 1 & HSV 2 IgG, and it seems like in their report they always list the reference value as "negative".
As you can see from my many posts I am feeling quite paranoid about the veracity of these test results - it seems like the chance of a false negative for HSV 2 is around 2%; does that sound about right?
As you can see from my many posts I am feeling quite paranoid about the veracity of these test results - it seems like the chance of a false negative for HSV 2 is around 2%; does that sound about right?
I saw the woman's test results - they were done at the Mayo Clinic. Here is exactly what was listed:
HSV 1 Ab IgG - Result: POSITIVE, Reference range: Negative
HSV 2 Ab IgG - Result: Negative, Reference range: Negative
Do you know what the positive/negative result for type 1 means?
HSV 1 Ab IgG - Result: POSITIVE, Reference range: Negative
HSV 2 Ab IgG - Result: Negative, Reference range: Negative
Do you know what the positive/negative result for type 1 means?
I'm pretty sure that the test she had was a Herpeselect IgG, though I am not sure if it was the ELISA or Immunoblot. In either case, is there much chance of a false-negative result?
This is re-assuring to have you say this, but can I ask - for my own education - how you draw this conclusion? Can I assume that it is a combination of the blood test result combined with her history of no outbreaks?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I wouldn't worry about her having HSV 2. Either she has genital HSV 1 or the visual diagnosis she had a long time ago was incorrect.
Terri
Terri
I am beginning to think that this is the case, that I am now noticing every single sensation below my waist and fearing the worst.
Can I ask you another question: The person I had sex with had her type-specific blood test done a few days after we had sex, and it took about a week to get the results and she said it was HSV-1. (Her original diagnosis was done by visual inspection 25 years ago.) I don't know what specific test they gave her, but her dr is based at a well-known, large teaching hospital, so hopefully they are using the most up-to-date tests. My latest irrational fear is what if it is HSV-2 instead. (I know, I am crazy!) I know no test is 100%, but given that she just had a type-specific test that only found HSV-1, has not had any recurrences in over two decades, and that I did not experience any symptoms, is this enough to stop worrying about the small chance she had HSV-2?
Can I ask you another question: The person I had sex with had her type-specific blood test done a few days after we had sex, and it took about a week to get the results and she said it was HSV-1. (Her original diagnosis was done by visual inspection 25 years ago.) I don't know what specific test they gave her, but her dr is based at a well-known, large teaching hospital, so hopefully they are using the most up-to-date tests. My latest irrational fear is what if it is HSV-2 instead. (I know, I am crazy!) I know no test is 100%, but given that she just had a type-specific test that only found HSV-1, has not had any recurrences in over two decades, and that I did not experience any symptoms, is this enough to stop worrying about the small chance she had HSV-2?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No, a primary outbreak would occur within 2-10 days of infection. None of the symptoms that you list above sound like herpes to me. You most surely had some bumps on your thighs before, but they never meant anything to you before, so you probably didn't notice them, do you think?
Terri
Terri
I should also mention that I got a few drops of blood after aggressively trying to pop one of these spots, but there was no pain and there wasn't really anything TO pop; more like I just scraped the bump. Nothing like any of the pictures I've seen of herpes. Also I have some spots on my buttocks that have been there for a long time; several months, maybe longer (definitely not sex-related) and have never cleared up, and the ones on my thighs that are clearing up seem to be following a similar pattern.
I seem to be experiencing more of these small bumps - at least one was an ingrown hair, but I now have three I am concerned about - two on my left leg, about 1.5 inches apart, and one on my right leg. There appearance has been spread out - I noticed the first about 2.5 weeks ago on my left leg, then one a week later on my right leg, then another one a week later on my left leg. All are small, dry, and the ones I have tried to "break" have turned into a very distinct red point, but no pain and barely a bump, and not much change day-to-day. Definitely not a cluster of blisters, and not molluscum contagiosum, but I'm still worried about HSV-1. 2 of the 3 are healing into frecklish-looking spots. I also get similar dry bumps on my lower thighs that seem to never heal (have had them for years), and I'm wondering if these might be related.
Would it make sense for a primary outbreak to START almost 2 months after my exposure, and arise over a few weeks time, with no clusters, no fluid, etc, and spread out like this? Also, no constitutional symptoms. Sorry if I'm being paranoid but thank you.
Would it make sense for a primary outbreak to START almost 2 months after my exposure, and arise over a few weeks time, with no clusters, no fluid, etc, and spread out like this? Also, no constitutional symptoms. Sorry if I'm being paranoid but thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I personally think you are far more risk of contracting HSV 1 genitally from your wife giving you oral sex vs. a one time encounter with someone who has genital HSV 1. HSV 1 is shed more from the mouth than the genitals. And with your wife, you have had repeated possible exposures vs. one with this other person.
Terri
Terri
I have never had a cold sore on my lip that I know of. However, my wife gets them on her lip frequently and has since she was a child, so she most likely has HSV-1 which means I have been exposed to it orally by kissing her and genitally by receiving oral sex from her.
However, the recent sexual encounter I spoke of was unfortunately not with my wife, hence my apprehension and paranoia. I have posted to this board before and spoken to clinicians and it does seem that I am "safe" in that my wife almost certainly has HSV-1 oral, and there is a good chance I did not catch HSV-1 genital from this encounter. (A clinician I spoke to advised me that it was not "worth" getting tested for HSV-1 since it is common and my wife has it, so there is a good chance I could have it already.)
One follow-up question: If I ever develop symptoms of HSV-1 genital it would seem that the most likely cause would be from receiving oral sex from my wife, not from this one encounter of genital sex. And if I did catch HSV-1 genital, it seems that the likelihood of transmitting it back to my wife genitally is very low. However, would the chances of my wife getting it genitally be affected by whether I got it from her or this other woman, or does it not matter?
Also, I have viewed several photos of molluscum contagiosum and my bumps do not look like that. I am guessing they are pimples. Thank you.
However, the recent sexual encounter I spoke of was unfortunately not with my wife, hence my apprehension and paranoia. I have posted to this board before and spoken to clinicians and it does seem that I am "safe" in that my wife almost certainly has HSV-1 oral, and there is a good chance I did not catch HSV-1 genital from this encounter. (A clinician I spoke to advised me that it was not "worth" getting tested for HSV-1 since it is common and my wife has it, so there is a good chance I could have it already.)
One follow-up question: If I ever develop symptoms of HSV-1 genital it would seem that the most likely cause would be from receiving oral sex from my wife, not from this one encounter of genital sex. And if I did catch HSV-1 genital, it seems that the likelihood of transmitting it back to my wife genitally is very low. However, would the chances of my wife getting it genitally be affected by whether I got it from her or this other woman, or does it not matter?
Also, I have viewed several photos of molluscum contagiosum and my bumps do not look like that. I am guessing they are pimples. Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No, there is nothing here to suggest herpes. HSV 1 is shed infrequently from the genital area, and if she has had it 25 years, her shedding is decreased even more.
Have you ever in your life had a cold sore on your lip or have you ever been tested for HSV 1 and/or HSV 2? If you already have HSV 1, albeit oral, you would be highly unlikely to get HSV 1 genitally.
The bumps may be just nothing at all, or you could have something called molluscum contagiosum. You can look it up and see if yours looks similar. If you continue to be concerned, you could have a clinician take a look.
Terri
Have you ever in your life had a cold sore on your lip or have you ever been tested for HSV 1 and/or HSV 2? If you already have HSV 1, albeit oral, you would be highly unlikely to get HSV 1 genitally.
The bumps may be just nothing at all, or you could have something called molluscum contagiosum. You can look it up and see if yours looks similar. If you continue to be concerned, you could have a clinician take a look.
Terri
You are reading content posted in the Herpes 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.
