Aa
Is this something I should worry about?
2 weeks a go I had 1 time protected sex with a guy I knew. He seemed fine no visible signs of anything wrong. 3 days later I started to feel very uncomfortable in the vaginal area and thought I felt bombs. I went to a doctor the next day who examined and said she could not see much and did not look like herpes in any way. More like a reaction to something she suggested the condom or a wash etc. She gave me cream and all settled down mostly despite the odd itch I've stopped using any wash products in that area just for now. Its exactly 14 days later and I have a tingling in the back of my thigh that I cant describe. Would this be all related to the sexual incident? I know before this due to testing I was type1 positive orally I'm assuming since childhood and type 2 negative. So if type 2 would it be normal for a primary outbreak to never produce real sores and clear so fast and then cause tingling in the thigh?
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If you get type 2, you wouldn't have a true primary outbreak because you already have type 1 antibodies. A true primary outbreak happens in someone that doesn't have antibodies to type 1 or type 2. Since you have type 1 already, if you get type 2, your first outbreak of that might not be as severe as others get who don't have antibodies to either type yet.
What kind of cream did you use? If it was a steroid cream, like hydrocortisone or something similar, then it probably wasn't herpes, because steroids can make herpes a lot worse.
I can't tell you if you have hsv2 or not. The only thing you can do is get a type specific IgG type 2 test at 12 weeks post exposure. Most people will develop antibodies by 6 weeks, but sometimes, people with hsv1 already take a bit longer. Everyone will develop antibodies by 12 weeks.
You don't really need washing products vaginally. If you do want any cleansing products, use a very gentle product, like Ivory or Dove for sensitive skin. The vagina is like a self-cleaning oven, though, and can keep itself clean. All you really need to do is use a washcloth and gently clean the outside parts. No soap or anything is needed.
I wish I had more definitive answers for you.
What kind of cream did you use? If it was a steroid cream, like hydrocortisone or something similar, then it probably wasn't herpes, because steroids can make herpes a lot worse.
I can't tell you if you have hsv2 or not. The only thing you can do is get a type specific IgG type 2 test at 12 weeks post exposure. Most people will develop antibodies by 6 weeks, but sometimes, people with hsv1 already take a bit longer. Everyone will develop antibodies by 12 weeks.
You don't really need washing products vaginally. If you do want any cleansing products, use a very gentle product, like Ivory or Dove for sensitive skin. The vagina is like a self-cleaning oven, though, and can keep itself clean. All you really need to do is use a washcloth and gently clean the outside parts. No soap or anything is needed.
I wish I had more definitive answers for you.
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Oh I can add that your odds of getting herpes from a 1 time protected encounter are very low.
Yes it was a hydrocortisone cream and what I thought were bumbs were practically gone the next day. The doctor did say if they clear after this your fine if not come back.
Yeah, it doesn't sound like herpes at all.
The only thing you can do now is get a blood test at 12 weeks and see if you have it. If you get any other symptoms in the meantime, see your doctor and see if there's anything you can get tested with a PCR swab. If you do get symptoms, get into your doctor within 48 hours of the appearance of symptoms to get the best chances of an accurate swab.
We're here if you have questions. :)
The only thing you can do now is get a blood test at 12 weeks and see if you have it. If you get any other symptoms in the meantime, see your doctor and see if there's anything you can get tested with a PCR swab. If you do get symptoms, get into your doctor within 48 hours of the appearance of symptoms to get the best chances of an accurate swab.
We're here if you have questions. :)
So can anyone give me some advice, first of all what's the odds of catching hsv2 from 1 time protected sex? Secondly because of the previous oral herpes I'm assuming I couldnt have caught it again in the genital area would that be right? Also if this was ghsv2 even without a major primary out break would the lumps have come and gone in 5 days without ever becoming fluid filled or breaking open for my first outbreak or any outbreak realy. And now its 18 days later and I have constant irritation in the vaginal area not in one particular spot? Has anyone experienced this? Also I will say I have been known to be overly paranoid regarding herpes and have been tested quiet a number of times and also been to my doctor before with similar burning feelings and nothing is ever found. I'm just realy confused. Could a trained doctor look at a primary outbreak of hsv2 and say looks nothing like it and cant see much at all and that would have been at 4 days.
Your constant irritation - have you been tested for yeast or bacterial vaginosis?
If you've been to the doctor with similar feelings before, can you trace that back to something you're using, like a cleansing product? Maybe you're allergic to something. Do you use wipes after sex? A certain soap? Try to think of everything that happens when you get these symptoms to see if you can find a pattern. Is it around your period? When you wear certain work out clothes? Use a certain detergent?
If you're female and your partners are male, the chances of you getting herpes from a one time protected encounter are probably about 1 in 5000, if that. If you were in a relationship with a man who had it, and had sex with condoms, you'd have about a 4% chance of getting it over the course of a year, assuming sex about 2-3x a week.
Yes, you can not get ghsv1 because you already have oral hsv1.
You can get ghsv2. Your symptoms might be milder because you have hsv1, but that's not a hard rule. Your first outbreak of hsv2, should you ever get it, wouldn't be called a primary, because primary means you don't have hsv1 or hsv2. Your first outbreak of hsv2, should you get it, might be milder since you have hsv1 antibodies already, but again, that's not a hard rule, either.
Sometimes, a trained doctor can look at a herpes outbreak and say, "Yes, that's herpes." Sometimes not. It depends entirely on the doctor, what the sores look like, how long the sores have been there, etc.
Why are you so afraid of herpes? Is it because there's no cure? You are definitely more likely to get HPV - close to 90% of us will get that at least once in our lifetimes, even if we never know it. Chlamydia is also far more common than herpes, and if that's left untreated, can cause infertility. Herpes, though incurable, is really just annoying.
If you've been to the doctor with similar feelings before, can you trace that back to something you're using, like a cleansing product? Maybe you're allergic to something. Do you use wipes after sex? A certain soap? Try to think of everything that happens when you get these symptoms to see if you can find a pattern. Is it around your period? When you wear certain work out clothes? Use a certain detergent?
If you're female and your partners are male, the chances of you getting herpes from a one time protected encounter are probably about 1 in 5000, if that. If you were in a relationship with a man who had it, and had sex with condoms, you'd have about a 4% chance of getting it over the course of a year, assuming sex about 2-3x a week.
Yes, you can not get ghsv1 because you already have oral hsv1.
You can get ghsv2. Your symptoms might be milder because you have hsv1, but that's not a hard rule. Your first outbreak of hsv2, should you ever get it, wouldn't be called a primary, because primary means you don't have hsv1 or hsv2. Your first outbreak of hsv2, should you get it, might be milder since you have hsv1 antibodies already, but again, that's not a hard rule, either.
Sometimes, a trained doctor can look at a herpes outbreak and say, "Yes, that's herpes." Sometimes not. It depends entirely on the doctor, what the sores look like, how long the sores have been there, etc.
Why are you so afraid of herpes? Is it because there's no cure? You are definitely more likely to get HPV - close to 90% of us will get that at least once in our lifetimes, even if we never know it. Chlamydia is also far more common than herpes, and if that's left untreated, can cause infertility. Herpes, though incurable, is really just annoying.
Thanks for replying. It has become a bit of a pattern for me to assume I have something, it's usually between hiv and herpes and it has happened before that I basically worry so much and manifest all the symptoms I've been to lots of doctors about this. Have had numerous tests and even been to counsellor. Yes the fear is of it being uncuarable and possibly passing it to someone else. Each time I'm basically told you used protection you didnt have typical sores so move on and dont worry about it. I don't think alot of doctors are as up to date with the info as you can find online. For the symptoms. I realy dont know I think worry plays a big part and I'm hyper aware of every little twinge there at all. At the moment there is nothing there to show so I cant go back to the doctor again. And they dont do blood testing for it where I live. I found one clinic that is quite expensive in the past.
Oh if you're in the UK or other parts of Europe or Canada, there is definitely a harder time getting the blood tests.
Are you getting help for your anxiety? There is treatment for that. I'd focus on that first, because that's much more important than anything else. If you've had protected sex, you can not have HIV. Chances of you getting herpes are very low.
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Don't forget to focus on the whole of you. <3
Are you getting help for your anxiety? There is treatment for that. I'd focus on that first, because that's much more important than anything else. If you've had protected sex, you can not have HIV. Chances of you getting herpes are very low.
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Don't forget to focus on the whole of you. <3
Sorry I will try make this my last question and thank you for the help. I've always been reading alot about symptoms and from what I've read on old doctors posts here they say leg pain is in no way a symptom of genital herpes. But others I've read has said it is. Could anyone clarify this if possible? As I have some leg pains that I dont know if associated with this one incident. My thinking is would I realy be so unlucky to be the 1 in 5000 to get this from a protected encounter and then to have all the rate atypical symptoms. I do not in anyway ever want to pass this on as the guilt would be too much for me so going forward from now should I assume I have it and refrain from any sex or would protected be safe? Also just out if interest has anyone even without genital herpes ever been prescribed an antiviral medication to in some way prevent getting it in the future as extra protection for people with severe anxiety?
No, you wouldn't be that unlucky.
And leg pain is NOT a part of herpes. Sometimes, people can get thigh pain as a sign of an impending herpes outbreaks, but constant nerve pain, etc., is not.
There really aren't things such as "atypical" symptoms. There are mild symptoms, but they are all still blisters or lesions. They might not be big and super painful, but it's still herpes. It still acts as though herpes is supposed to act.
There have been no studies done to show if taking valtrex or acyclovir prophylactically works. You'd probably have a hard time getting a doctor to prescribe that.
Again, dealing with your anxiety is better long-term than taking meds you don't need.
I'm not at all sure what I said that would lead you to believe that you have herpes and should avoid sex. Your doctor said you don't, I said the chances are really low (and I can't tell you no because I'm not a doctor and didn't see your sores), and that it wasn't at all likely to be herpes because they went away using hydrocortisone.
If I were you, I'd assume I don't have it, continue to have protected sex, talk to my partners about STDs, and get help for my anxiety. You are worried about guilt for something you haven't done (transmitting herpes to someone when in all reality, the chances of you having it are as close to zero as you can get).
Deal with the anxiety. That should be your #1 priority.
And leg pain is NOT a part of herpes. Sometimes, people can get thigh pain as a sign of an impending herpes outbreaks, but constant nerve pain, etc., is not.
There really aren't things such as "atypical" symptoms. There are mild symptoms, but they are all still blisters or lesions. They might not be big and super painful, but it's still herpes. It still acts as though herpes is supposed to act.
There have been no studies done to show if taking valtrex or acyclovir prophylactically works. You'd probably have a hard time getting a doctor to prescribe that.
Again, dealing with your anxiety is better long-term than taking meds you don't need.
I'm not at all sure what I said that would lead you to believe that you have herpes and should avoid sex. Your doctor said you don't, I said the chances are really low (and I can't tell you no because I'm not a doctor and didn't see your sores), and that it wasn't at all likely to be herpes because they went away using hydrocortisone.
If I were you, I'd assume I don't have it, continue to have protected sex, talk to my partners about STDs, and get help for my anxiety. You are worried about guilt for something you haven't done (transmitting herpes to someone when in all reality, the chances of you having it are as close to zero as you can get).
Deal with the anxiety. That should be your #1 priority.
Thanks yes definately the anxiety is an issue to deal with. However these symptoms are very real. Can I just ask about the hydrocortisone cream you mentioned would make herpes worse? Can I ask in what way? I could not sleep at all last night as the burning seems so much worse at night. I had a bath used no products at all left off underwear. The burning started again so I applied the hydrocortisone cream which was very soothing, but an hour later it came back and just went on all night. Burning feeling in the genitals and now in the legs, can change sides and be anywhere on the legs. So in the absence of lesions would hydrocortisone still make things worse? I know most people would say herpes would not react this way but it only started after this protected sex. Today very itchy and lower back pain and also hips. I'm not sure what my next step is I know wait 12 weeks for an igg blood test, or wait for an out break. See a doctor again but in the absence of sores they just say definitely not herpes. But this is hell in between. Thanks once again I don't want to ask to many questions here but info is so hard to find. Also could I just ask if it was ghsv2 would the entrance to the vagina feel a bit sore even though that area would have only come in contact with condom covered area. As in once infected is the whole area infected or is it right at the site where the skin came in contact? Thank you. And if there is any further site you can refer me onto so I dont monopolise this one would be great. Thanks
It does sound like you have physical symptoms of something, whether that's anxiety, herpes, bacterial vaginosis, a yeast infection, or some combination of those. It's entirely possible to have more than one thing happening medically at once.
Some of the symptoms you're reporting are new, and because of that, you should definitely see your doctor. Being fixated on the problem being herpes could be hindering you from the detection of other, non-herpes issues.
In general, you can expect a herpes outbreak to occur at the site of infection - not always, but generally. Since you used a condom, that would likely be the vulva for you.
Some of the symptoms you're reporting are new, and because of that, you should definitely see your doctor. Being fixated on the problem being herpes could be hindering you from the detection of other, non-herpes issues.
In general, you can expect a herpes outbreak to occur at the site of infection - not always, but generally. Since you used a condom, that would likely be the vulva for you.
I don't know of any other patient-to-patient forums like this that offer credible info on herpes. The only place I'm aware that you can ask a question and get a professional response is Terri Warren's site. If you're not aware, she's a true expert. It does cost money to ask a question, but I'm not sure how much. https://westoverheights.com/herpes-questions/
If I were in your position, I would see a doc about your current symptoms first, and get checked for a yeast infection or BV. If you get no answers, asking Terri Warren is a good next step to get info about herpes and your situation.
If I were in your position, I would see a doc about your current symptoms first, and get checked for a yeast infection or BV. If you get no answers, asking Terri Warren is a good next step to get info about herpes and your situation.
Thank you
So I think this basically proves everything I have been going through has been due to gshv2. At my wits end yesterday I could not take another night of pain. I applied some zovirax that I had for my lip to the genital area just to try and it gas definitely eased the burning by about 50% I would say. So realy is that proof that this is ghsv2?? And I was one of the unlucky people to catch it while using protection and when the other person was asymptomatic. And I got all very rare symptoms.
No, this doesn't prove anything. Zovirax, which is acyclovir, doesn't ease symptoms. It helps slow down the reproduction of the virus, which simply helps an outbreak heal a bit faster.
Zovirax cream also has mineral oil and other things in it, which may have helped sooth your skin. It may have been some kind of irritation, and it was soothed by the other ingredients in the cream.
Have you been tested for yeast and BV yet?
Have you made an appt to talk about your anxiety yet?
Zovirax cream also has mineral oil and other things in it, which may have helped sooth your skin. It may have been some kind of irritation, and it was soothed by the other ingredients in the cream.
Have you been tested for yeast and BV yet?
Have you made an appt to talk about your anxiety yet?
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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.
