Can herpes cause extreme weakness and fatigue?

[Daphna]

Since mid-October I have had episodes of extreme weakness and fatigue that don't seem accompanied by other flu symptoms (upper respiratory, high fever, etc). The only consistent symptoms beside the weakness is that I would get itchy-then-crusty sores around my mouth and had a throbbing gland in my neck. These often appeared just before my period, which made me think they were just an unusual pre-menstrual symptom. The episodes have lasted from 4-6 days and have basically left me bed-ridden. But there have also been lots of days in between where I found myself napping at work or feeling run down. My doctors at Kaiser have run blood tests for mono (negative) as well as kidney, liver, and thyroid function, which all came back clear. They keep telling me that weakness and fatigue are not "specific symptoms" and that I'm probably just depressed.

Starting on Dec 24th (it's now the 31st), I started having cold symptoms along with a throbbing gland in my groin. In addition to the cold symptoms, I had a painful spot on my labia. I didn't think much about it and it went away in a few days. I have had the same weakness and fatigue and was in bed for days.

Today (Dec 31) I went to see my naturopath, who I turn to when I can't get answers from my doctors. She listened carefully, asked when I'd last had unprotected sex, made a chart of my symptoms and dates, and concluded that I'm likely experiencing the first onset of a herpes outbreak. My immune system has been tremendously stressed this year from a divorce and job loss, but I know that I'm not clinically depressed and that this illness has not followed any of my normal winter cold patterns.

Almost all the herpes info I've read focuses on the blister-like sores. The ones on my mouth have not been forming visible blisters, but they are itchy and tingly for days beforehand and sort of crusty and dry after. I'm not sure about the labial sore because I didn't think to check it out. Right now I'm having a kind of generalized ache in my left groin (where the gland was throbbing a few days back) and I think I feel another labial sore coming on.

My question is: could herpes be responsible for the extreme weakness, muscle aches, and other symptoms that I've had for the past 2.5 months? Kaiser said they don't want to run blood tests since they are "non-specific." What does this mean and are there any tests that are more useful? At the rate it takes to get into see a doc there, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to get a "live" lesion sample. Even if I don't get an absolute diagnosis, would you recommend starting anti-viral treatments?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[alexami62]

you may no get positive results from a blood test. You need to have an actual herpes test for that. If you have anoth4er genital lesion, go to the Dr and have them scrape it, that is the only way you will know for sure. And, BTW the test runs about 1200.00 so be prepared for the bill!!

[auntiejessi]

A herpes culture runs $1200 US? That shouldn't be more than a few hundred dollars, when you factor in the doctor fees, lab fees, etc., all combined. Did you go to the ER to get it done? It might cost that much there. If you go to a Planned Parenthood or STD clinic, it shouldn't.

The herpes western blot test, if you self pay, shouldn't even cost that much.

[alexami62]

No, I went to my GYNO to get it done.

[auntiejessi]

Wow. I'm so sorry. That's way, way too much. :(

[gracefromHHP]

It's best to keep all replies in the thread and not send me private messages so that it's easier for me to follow up on it all so I'll just reply here instead of in pm :)

The doctor who told you there aren't type specific herpes igg blood tests is about 15 years behind the times :(  They need to do a little homework!!!

as to what this could be going on - so many other germs out there that can really do a number on you and knock you on your butt like this unfortunately.  Just keep going back to be seen and be insistant that they don't brush you off and earn their pay a little more.

grace

[gracefromHHP]

I do not agree with your naturopath at all.  A newly acquired herpes infection would not cause you to feel this way for this long.  At this point I recommend seeing a dermatologist for the lip symptoms - sounds like angular chelitis which can be from chemicals or from fungal infections.  it could be oral herpes but even if you contracted oral herpes a few months ago - you wouldn't have this run over by a truck feeling.  You'd have to get a culture of the active symptoms within 24-48 hours after they start to confirm hsv1 orally as being the cause of them. The blood test tells you what you have, not where you have it so just testing + for hsv1 wouldn't help.  

Kaiser is reknown for not being up to date on the herpes blood tests :(  You can get a type specific herpes igg blood test to see what your status is.  Their lab offers it even.


it's unfortunate when you start talking about what's wrong and when they ask - any changes in you life recently, hear divorce and then decide you are depressed. they forget that some of us are actually kinda happy when it happens ...he he he.  

I wish I could help you more but it's not likely to be a herpes problem. Only about 2, 345, 678 more things to rule out though unfortunately :(  I hope you get answers and feel more energetic soon :)

grace