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Transmission confusion
I've had unprotected sex with one partner. About a week afterward, he developed a painful scab on the shaft of his penis. This fell off about 4 days later, but recurred again about 6 months after this first episode. This makes me paranoid that I gave him herpes and may have contracted it from receiving oral sex from a boyfriend who would sometimes get cold sores. I had some vaginal itching at the time, went to an ob/gyn and was diagnosed with chronic yeast infection. All symptoms cleared up after using Clotrim/beta diprop cream. I also received a serum herpes test that was positive for HSV1, negative for HSV2. The ob/gyn saw no signs of herpes and thinks the scab that developed was due to trauma. What do you think? Could it have been due to contact with the chronic yeast? Not knowing if I have herpes or not is causing me a lot of anxiety.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Herpes can and often does scab, for sure, but so do other things. I can't help you sort that one out
Terri
Terri
Is a scab a common presentation for herpes? There were no blisters.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The most likely scenario here is probably that you have HSV 1 orally, but since you have never had a cold sore, and you have had a couple of recurrent genital episodes, there is no way to know if you have HSV 1 orally or genitally. I wish I could give you a clearer answer. But I can say that I don't believe you have HSV 2 genitally. Plenty of time passed between the scab and your antibody test, so you can relax about that one. If you ever get another genital symptom, or an oral symptom that you think might be herpes, you should go right in to be seen by a clinician so it can be swabbed for herpes. There is most virus present right at the start of an outbreak, so going in right away will give you the most accurate swab test possible. If you want to read more about HSV 1 and HSV 2 in the genital area, you can read my Herpes Handbook at our clinic website. I hope this helps some - wish it could be even more clear for you.
Terri
Terri
I had the antibody test done 2-3 years after this happened. I've never had a cold sore on my lip, but I'm pretty sure I contracted it during childhood (sharing food and drink) as my mom gets them fairly frequently. My ex partner never had any testing done as far as I know. We are no longer in contact.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
How long after your contact with this person did you have the herpes blood antibody test done? Have you ever in your life had a cold sore on your lip? It isn't possible to know what the scab was about at this time, but I'm wondering if your then partner had a blood antibody test done? In order to help you best, I need you to think about these questions, and let me know, OK?
Terri
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.
