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HSV-1, Boils and Beyond
Almost four years ago I had a culture for a cluster of red bumps on the left outside region of my vagina that tested positive for HSV-1. My bloodwork was negative for HSV-2 though. The past two weeks I've been dealing with boil-like bumps on my lower left-butt/upper left thigh (three that went away in six days, a new scattering that showed up late this sunday.) The doc isn't sure if it's a recurrence, but said it might be. It looks and feels completely different than what I had last time. He said it could easily be boils or irritation from my bike, since I ride upwards of 20 miles daily, don't routinely shower after (I bike to work), and that's exact spot my new bike seat rubs me. Both times these bumps showed up was after a couple of days of exercise + work + more exercise, and no shower.
1) Do HSV-1 infections, genitally, recur less often than HSV-2? Are they equally contagious?
2) Would having HSV-1 make me more susceptible to HSV-2? Could these boils be HSV-2?
3) Are my odds of transmission of genital HSV-1 to a partner lower or equal to HSV-2?
4) I thought HSV-1 only occurred in the oral region. I know I had canker sores as a kid; why would the initial outbreak appear on my genitalia? Wouldn't I have had the antibodies to prevent that?
5) Would herpes look like whiteheads? Would they go away as quickly as they have been (under a week)?
6) I've dealt with cyst-type things on my face twice in the past year that required antibiotics. Could these boil-like bumps be related to that?
7) My STD clinic no longer does HSV tests (SO RIDICULOUS); how should I proceed from here? Dermatologist? OB/GYN? Regular doctor? If this is NOT a recurrence, I would like to know what it is.
I really appreciate your time and answers. Thanks so much!
1) Do HSV-1 infections, genitally, recur less often than HSV-2? Are they equally contagious?
2) Would having HSV-1 make me more susceptible to HSV-2? Could these boils be HSV-2?
3) Are my odds of transmission of genital HSV-1 to a partner lower or equal to HSV-2?
4) I thought HSV-1 only occurred in the oral region. I know I had canker sores as a kid; why would the initial outbreak appear on my genitalia? Wouldn't I have had the antibodies to prevent that?
5) Would herpes look like whiteheads? Would they go away as quickly as they have been (under a week)?
6) I've dealt with cyst-type things on my face twice in the past year that required antibiotics. Could these boil-like bumps be related to that?
7) My STD clinic no longer does HSV tests (SO RIDICULOUS); how should I proceed from here? Dermatologist? OB/GYN? Regular doctor? If this is NOT a recurrence, I would like to know what it is.
I really appreciate your time and answers. Thanks so much!
Thank you so much Terri!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It is my opinion, yes. I won't say it never happens, but I would say, based on 32 years of experience and seeing this once (and I'm not so sure even about that time) that this is an uncommon, rare event. However, some people get them in both places at the same sexual encounter, giving oral sex to and kissing the same person.
Terri
Terri
Terri, would like to clarify something...
"...they are less contagious to others and not contagious to other people who already have HSV 1 infection. "
Is it your opinion that someone who is in the 60 - 90% of the population that has HSV-1 antibodies cannot contract a genital HSV-1 infection?
"...they are less contagious to others and not contagious to other people who already have HSV 1 infection. "
Is it your opinion that someone who is in the 60 - 90% of the population that has HSV-1 antibodies cannot contract a genital HSV-1 infection?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1) Do HSV-1 infections, genitally, recur less often than HSV-2? Are they equally contagious?
They recur less and because they recur and shed less, they are less contagious to others and not contagious to other people who already have HSV 1 infection.
2) Would having HSV-1 make me more susceptible to HSV-2? Could these boils be HSV-2?
No, if anything, they might make you less susceptible to HSV 2.
3) Are my odds of transmission of genital HSV-1 to a partner lower or equal to HSV-2? Lower.
4) I thought HSV-1 only occurred in the oral region. I know I had canker sores as a kid; why would the initial outbreak appear on my genitalia? Wouldn't I have had the antibodies to prevent that? If you had had oral herpes as a kid (canker sores are not caused by herpes), they would you likely not have gotten it genitally. You likely got it genitally from someone giving you oral sex or from having intercourse with someone who had genital HSV 1.
5) Would herpes look like whiteheads? Would they go away as quickly as they have been (under a week)?
Most people would not describe herpes as looking like a whitehead, but its possible.
6) I've dealt with cyst-type things on my face twice in the past year that required antibiotics. Could these boil-like bumps be related to that?
Probably not no.
7) My STD clinic no longer does HSV tests (SO RIDICULOUS); how should I proceed from here? Dermatologist? OB/GYN? Regular doctor? If this is NOT a recurrence, I would like to know what it is.
A dermatologist would be a good idea or ob. You need a swab test taken of the lesions, most certainly
Terri
They recur less and because they recur and shed less, they are less contagious to others and not contagious to other people who already have HSV 1 infection.
2) Would having HSV-1 make me more susceptible to HSV-2? Could these boils be HSV-2?
No, if anything, they might make you less susceptible to HSV 2.
3) Are my odds of transmission of genital HSV-1 to a partner lower or equal to HSV-2? Lower.
4) I thought HSV-1 only occurred in the oral region. I know I had canker sores as a kid; why would the initial outbreak appear on my genitalia? Wouldn't I have had the antibodies to prevent that? If you had had oral herpes as a kid (canker sores are not caused by herpes), they would you likely not have gotten it genitally. You likely got it genitally from someone giving you oral sex or from having intercourse with someone who had genital HSV 1.
5) Would herpes look like whiteheads? Would they go away as quickly as they have been (under a week)?
Most people would not describe herpes as looking like a whitehead, but its possible.
6) I've dealt with cyst-type things on my face twice in the past year that required antibiotics. Could these boil-like bumps be related to that?
Probably not no.
7) My STD clinic no longer does HSV tests (SO RIDICULOUS); how should I proceed from here? Dermatologist? OB/GYN? Regular doctor? If this is NOT a recurrence, I would like to know what it is.
A dermatologist would be a good idea or ob. You need a swab test taken of the lesions, most certainly
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.
