G-HSV-2 Infection after G-HSV-1?

[sorisole]

I was diagnosed G-HSV-1 about this time last year. One really bad OB, then nothing since. I've been on daily suppressive acyclovir the whole time.

Stupidly, I had drunk, unprotected sex with two different women on two different occasions during the last week of June of this year. Sex with woman 1 left part of my penis shaft chafed,  and sex with woman 2 didn't help. A couple days after woman 2, and I'm feeling prodromal symptoms, itching, tingling, etc.. I was also super stressed out around this time due to other reasons and just went on antibiotics.

The chafed area continues to feel raw, kind of like a sunburn, also occasionally hurts during urination, but no sores. I go see a doctor about two weeks after the last encounter and he tells me it's "road rash" and that the prodrome was likely psychosomatic. My mind eases a bit, and I don't feel anything for a couple days. Then, the burning comes back, with a small, brief set of prodromal itching, tingling, and whatnot, when I'm placed in another super stressful, and prolonged, situation. Saw another doc a few days ago, says the same thing as the first. That continues until yesterday, where I got a one day reprieve. Limited prodromal symptoms today, which continue, followed by burning in the same place with the road rash. Still, no sores. It seems as though, in a way, I've had three aborted OBs in one month.

So, I guess what I'm wondering is if this is likely a number of mild G-HSV-1 recurrences due to friction and stress, a new G-HSV-2 infection that is recurring frequently but being held in check by HSV-1 antibodies and antivirals, something else entirely (thrush from road rash and use of antibiotics?), or perhaps just psychosomatic. Something to consider is that the areas where I'm getting symptoms are not the place of my original G-HSV-1 outbreak.

No testing has been done as of yet. No sores to swab and not even bothering with blood tests until the 12 week mark. Has anyone here been infected with G-HSV-2 after G-HSV-1, or even O-HSV-1? If so, does this sound familiar  Any advice or thoughts from the medical professionals on any of this?

[sorisole]

I imagine that you are most likely correct. After reading many posts regarding situations similar to mine, it seems as though, at the end of the day, people experiencing these symptoms in this manner and for this length of time turn out to not have genital herpes. Now, I do know that I have G-HSV-1, but I would not be surprised if what I'm experiencing is neither related to that nor a new infection of HSV-2. I will hopefully know for sure in about two months and will report back then.

[Fleetwood20]

Again, nothing seems related to herpes here.

I think you are worrying and stressing that is exagerating the symptoms a bit. You probably have irritation and perhaps a fungal issue.

Seek medical advice if you have concerns that this is not clearing up quickly.

[sorisole]

Something else to consider is that a lot of the tingling and itching all over the below the waist region comes and goes. The burning on the raw part of my shaft has been consistent, save for the couple brief breaks I mentioned, but it's been lessening in severity the past few days. Anal area has been feeling a little more sensitive than usual this whole time, and it seems as though my lymph glands have been hardened/swollen. However, I don't really have a baseline for that as I don't regularly check them. I've also noticed a good bit, but not nearly as much, of tingling, itching above the waist on the torso and even the face from time to time (performed unprotected cunnilingus on woman 1). I'm just so confused. Recurrence? New infection? Something else? All in my head? I don't know!

[sorisole]

I was diagnosed by swab culture. First OB was pretty awful. My experience, at least until this point, with G-HSV-1 has been pretty textbook. Really bad initial outbreak, not a peep since. I haven't been instructed by my doctor to go off antivirals, so I'm still using them. I realize it probably isn't necessary, but it gives me piece of mind. It's been a very stressful time for me lately, so I'm hoping this is just some sort of recurrence or simply anxiety related. I've been really concerned about the possibility of being co-infected with G-HSV-2 and really upset at my ability to make awful decisions.

[Fleetwood20]

Yes this is possible, just very, very unlikely given the presence of the immune system against HSV1.

Your symptoms do not suggest a herpes infection or recurrent outbreak.

How was your genital HSV1 confirmed in the first place? You do not particularly need antivirals for a genital HSV1 infection.