Aa
Herpes or Rash?
Early last week, I started experiencing typical yeast infection symptoms (itching and clumpy white discharge). Last Friday, I developed a small red rash on my inner right thigh. (It looked a bit like friction burn, and didn't hurt or itch.) Over the course of the weekend, it spread to my left inner thigh, very outer lips of my vulva, and anal area. It is now mostly a solid reddish color with red spots at the edge. It is not blistering, pimply, or itchy - but it is slightly sore.
I saw my GYN on Wednesday (5 days after symptoms had presented) and he said that it was most likely caused by the yeast infection and that it did NOT look like herpes. To be extra safe, he agreed to run a herpes swab culture. I asked him a couple of times if he thought it was herpes, and he assured me that he was just being thorough, and wanted to put the negative test results in my file. He wrote me a script for an internal yeast infection medication (which seems to have worked) and for nystatin cream. However, the nystatin caused an odd tingling sensation after a few uses, and the rash has not dissipated.
On Thursday evening (6 days after initial symptoms had presented), I noticed two painful, tiny sores INSIDE my vagina. They are already starting to go away.
Over my entire life, I have only had five sexual partners (one of which I was in a 2+ year relationship with). I always use condoms. I had sex three times between late February 2011 and late April 2011, and none of my partners had any visible sores. My most recent encounter happened on 22 April, exactly four weeks before my symptoms first appeared. We used a condom, as usual, and he kept his pants on, so there was very minimal skin-to-skin contact.
My herpes swab test results are coming in on Tuesday, but I'm just looking for a bit of peace of mind. I just began a relationship with a new man (we haven't had sex yet) and I'm very nervous to have to break the bad news to him. What's your take on this - herpes, or some bizarre rash?
I saw my GYN on Wednesday (5 days after symptoms had presented) and he said that it was most likely caused by the yeast infection and that it did NOT look like herpes. To be extra safe, he agreed to run a herpes swab culture. I asked him a couple of times if he thought it was herpes, and he assured me that he was just being thorough, and wanted to put the negative test results in my file. He wrote me a script for an internal yeast infection medication (which seems to have worked) and for nystatin cream. However, the nystatin caused an odd tingling sensation after a few uses, and the rash has not dissipated.
On Thursday evening (6 days after initial symptoms had presented), I noticed two painful, tiny sores INSIDE my vagina. They are already starting to go away.
Over my entire life, I have only had five sexual partners (one of which I was in a 2+ year relationship with). I always use condoms. I had sex three times between late February 2011 and late April 2011, and none of my partners had any visible sores. My most recent encounter happened on 22 April, exactly four weeks before my symptoms first appeared. We used a condom, as usual, and he kept his pants on, so there was very minimal skin-to-skin contact.
My herpes swab test results are coming in on Tuesday, but I'm just looking for a bit of peace of mind. I just began a relationship with a new man (we haven't had sex yet) and I'm very nervous to have to break the bad news to him. What's your take on this - herpes, or some bizarre rash?
Hi all,
I doubt anyone is still reading this forum, but just in case:
I ended up testing at 20 weeks post-exposure. Test results recently came back: negative for HSV-1 and -2.
I doubt anyone is still reading this forum, but just in case:
I ended up testing at 20 weeks post-exposure. Test results recently came back: negative for HSV-1 and -2.
Hey, it'd be great to hear your 12 week blood results. Fingers crossed for you. How you feeling now?
I will try to remember to post my Week 12 serology results here.
My doctor is pretty confident that my symptoms were caused by a mean yeast infection. (The external rash AND the interior irritation.) If he comes up with a different diagnosis, I'll post that.
My doctor is pretty confident that my symptoms were caused by a mean yeast infection. (The external rash AND the interior irritation.) If he comes up with a different diagnosis, I'll post that.
Good luck with 12 week blood test. Please post here and let us know how you get on. Also, if it isn't herpes then the doc will obviously have to find out what is causing you the symptoms, and actually posting that here will be of big help to people reading who have similar situations (a bit like myself). Good luck.
I already stated that I would be repeating my bloodwork at 12 weeks. I have done a lot of research on this subject, and I am well aware of the fact that my most recent bloodwork is not totally conclusive.
Some doctors may not be very good, but I'm happy with and confident in mine. If you had read a few of my earlier posts, you would see that my doctor actually took the liberty of informing me that IgG testing should not be considered conclusive until 12 weeks post exposure.
Thank you for your advice, though.
Some doctors may not be very good, but I'm happy with and confident in mine. If you had read a few of my earlier posts, you would see that my doctor actually took the liberty of informing me that IgG testing should not be considered conclusive until 12 weeks post exposure.
Thank you for your advice, though.
hello,i will start with my story to give u little idea,i had outbreak after one month from possible exposon,right after outbreak doctor took swab and blood test,both came negative,after that doctor told me that i dont have herpes for sure,during next 1.5 moth i took 2 more blood test for herpes 1 and 2,wich was neg. to again,only 4 th time i got poz. result for herpes1,witch confirmed with one more test. still i dont wont to believe that is truth both past 3months i was ping pong bole front of doctors. ----------if u worried about herpes in my opinion u need to wight at list 12 weeks to get 99%results and do not have sex anthill u will fined out u have or not,or tall ur partner,qose some doctors don't have idea what to recommend,i min the easiest think for them that u going to listen to make fore them ease.-------good luck and hope u get buck to normal life very soon
Grace,
Just wanted to give you an update. I visited my GYN again on 6/22, and he performed another culture (on an irritated spot on my inner labia) and IgG type-specific serology. Everything came back negative! He said that none of the irritation that I've had resembles HSV at all, but he knew that another culture would ease my mind.
I definitely plan on repeating my bloodwork at 12 weeks post exposure, but I'm finally confident that this is most likely not herpes. Unless my 12-week bloodwork comes back positive, I probably won't need to update this thread again. :)
Testing to Date:
5/25/2011 - Culture of exterior rash - Negative
6/22/2011 - Culture of labial irritation - Negative
6/22/2011 (8 weeks, 5 days after most recent possible exposure) - type-specific IgG testing - Negative for I & II
Just wanted to give you an update. I visited my GYN again on 6/22, and he performed another culture (on an irritated spot on my inner labia) and IgG type-specific serology. Everything came back negative! He said that none of the irritation that I've had resembles HSV at all, but he knew that another culture would ease my mind.
I definitely plan on repeating my bloodwork at 12 weeks post exposure, but I'm finally confident that this is most likely not herpes. Unless my 12-week bloodwork comes back positive, I probably won't need to update this thread again. :)
Testing to Date:
5/25/2011 - Culture of exterior rash - Negative
6/22/2011 - Culture of labial irritation - Negative
6/22/2011 (8 weeks, 5 days after most recent possible exposure) - type-specific IgG testing - Negative for I & II
wednesday is far too late to culture them - don't even bother at that point.
ask the partner from april to get tested and share their results with you. if they are negative, you won't have to wait to get igg blood testing for yourself.
ask the partner from april to get tested and share their results with you. if they are negative, you won't have to wait to get igg blood testing for yourself.
Grace,
Thanks for taking the time to read about my situation. :) I'm definitely planning to follow up with my doctor (my appointment is on Wednesday, I think). Do you think the little bumps I described in my other post sound like Herpes? I noticed yesterday that they stick out, almost like little fingers. Very, very weird.
The probiotics that I purchased are refrigerated - can't recall the brand off the top of my head.
Unfortunately, we haven't gotten the testing yet. My doctor advised that I wait 12 weeks from my possible exposure to avoid false negatives, so I won't be able to get the test for a couple of weeks.
I do have one other new symptom: after a day of walking around in the heat, I developed a pimple right above my butt crack. I didn't think much of it, but I did develop another pimple in the same area a couple of days later, and they itch! I'm going to ask my doctor to culture that site on Wednesday, just to be safe.
Thanks again,
Sarah
Thanks for taking the time to read about my situation. :) I'm definitely planning to follow up with my doctor (my appointment is on Wednesday, I think). Do you think the little bumps I described in my other post sound like Herpes? I noticed yesterday that they stick out, almost like little fingers. Very, very weird.
The probiotics that I purchased are refrigerated - can't recall the brand off the top of my head.
Unfortunately, we haven't gotten the testing yet. My doctor advised that I wait 12 weeks from my possible exposure to avoid false negatives, so I won't be able to get the test for a couple of weeks.
I do have one other new symptom: after a day of walking around in the heat, I developed a pimple right above my butt crack. I didn't think much of it, but I did develop another pimple in the same area a couple of days later, and they itch! I'm going to ask my doctor to culture that site on Wednesday, just to be safe.
Thanks again,
Sarah
you need to go back again to be seen if you have continuing symptoms. sometimes getting rid of vaginitis is hard to do :(
not sure what acidophilus supplement you started but most of them do not colonize the urogenital tract. Many do not even colonize the bowels either. I'm a fan of fem dophilus by jarrow myself. it has 2 strains of probiotics that have been shown to colonize the urogenital tract to help reduce vaginitis and uti's in females. I buy it online and you need to keep it in your fridge so the bacteria stays alive.
did you and your partner follow up with herpes igg blood testing yet?
not sure what acidophilus supplement you started but most of them do not colonize the urogenital tract. Many do not even colonize the bowels either. I'm a fan of fem dophilus by jarrow myself. it has 2 strains of probiotics that have been shown to colonize the urogenital tract to help reduce vaginitis and uti's in females. I buy it online and you need to keep it in your fridge so the bacteria stays alive.
did you and your partner follow up with herpes igg blood testing yet?
Grace,
My symptoms are still continuing. I opened another thread in the Women's Health section with more details and information (http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Womens-Health/Yeast-Infection--BV--Tiny-Bumps-on-Labia-Minora/show/1539705?personal_page_id=2184056#post_6991851). Would you mind taking a look when you get a chance? I'd really appreciate your insights. I'm fairly confident that I don't have herpes (because of the negative culture and the incongruous symptoms) but it sure would be nice to get another opinion. :)
Thanks!
Sarah
My symptoms are still continuing. I opened another thread in the Women's Health section with more details and information (http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Womens-Health/Yeast-Infection--BV--Tiny-Bumps-on-Labia-Minora/show/1539705?personal_page_id=2184056#post_6991851). Would you mind taking a look when you get a chance? I'd really appreciate your insights. I'm fairly confident that I don't have herpes (because of the negative culture and the incongruous symptoms) but it sure would be nice to get another opinion. :)
Thanks!
Sarah
Just wanted to give you guys an update - the herpes test came back negative! The rash went away in about a week and a half total, and interior irritation came and went within a week. I'm still getting some yeast-like discharge, though, so I'm planning on following up with my doctor on Monday. My GYN assured me that I had nothing to worry about! :)
If the itching has returned, ,return to your provider this week for retesting for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally. if they suspect that your other symptoms look like herpes, they do try doing a lesion culture.
At this point you need to stop worrying. Your main symptom is your fear for having herpes. In your case you have been examined by a trained provider who has advised you that you have a yeast infection. The symptoms you are noticing after work are more then likely what we call focused anxiety. Plus I am sure you are doing all kinds of yoga moves to check yourself out.
Stop worrrying and start doing something else. Stay off the herpes sites and make a cake for your partner or something.
Stop worrrying and start doing something else. Stay off the herpes sites and make a cake for your partner or something.
I certainly hope you're right!
I've also found that the entire area is a bit sore/tender and that, my groin lymph nodes (specifically on the right-hand side) are swollen. My right buttock is also sore, and has been so for about 2-3 days at this point. Are these symptoms indicative of anything?
I hate to keep adding symptoms like this; the soreness/tenderness didn't become really noticeable or prominent until I came home from work!
Thanks again,
Sarah
I've also found that the entire area is a bit sore/tender and that, my groin lymph nodes (specifically on the right-hand side) are swollen. My right buttock is also sore, and has been so for about 2-3 days at this point. Are these symptoms indicative of anything?
I hate to keep adding symptoms like this; the soreness/tenderness didn't become really noticeable or prominent until I came home from work!
Thanks again,
Sarah
I am going to say no this wouldn't mean much. Yeast infections can cause sores and then they can be opened from scratching or rubbing anything. Yeast infections for you ladies can be hard to get rid of. Yeast medicines can also kill your good bacteria as well as the bad. So this could be another one on coming as well.
Your symptoms came on far after a normal inital outbreak (2-20 days is the typical rule). So I think at this point your swab will be negative and you need to put herpes aside.
Your symptoms came on far after a normal inital outbreak (2-20 days is the typical rule). So I think at this point your swab will be negative and you need to put herpes aside.
Grace,
Thank you so much for your response!
I was tested about 2.5 years ago (before entering the 2+ year relationship) and I was negative for HSV-1 and -2.
I guess what has me concerned today is that the itchiness that I started experiencing last week is returning. I'm also experiencing some pain with urination, which I believe is due to the small sores I mentioned that are just inside my vagina. I'm now not so sure that they are healing/improving. Do these symptoms change your answer?
Thanks again,
Sarah
Thank you so much for your response!
I was tested about 2.5 years ago (before entering the 2+ year relationship) and I was negative for HSV-1 and -2.
I guess what has me concerned today is that the itchiness that I started experiencing last week is returning. I'm also experiencing some pain with urination, which I believe is due to the small sores I mentioned that are just inside my vagina. I'm now not so sure that they are healing/improving. Do these symptoms change your answer?
Thanks again,
Sarah
odds are this is all yeast related.
odds are you've never been tested for herpes before to know your status either. If you and your new partner want to properly cover all the bases before you start being intimate, both of you getting type specific herpes igg blood tests are the best way to go.
grace
odds are you've never been tested for herpes before to know your status either. If you and your new partner want to properly cover all the bases before you start being intimate, both of you getting type specific herpes igg blood tests are the best way to go.
grace
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
