Herpes concern

[mel4109]

I had protected sex with a male coworker of unknown STI status 7 years ago.  The condom came off at some point until I realized and another condom was put on.  After this encounter I seemed to have some severe itching on the inner top part of lips of my vagina but no visible sores or blisters. I have not had sex since. The itching seemed to come and go for months - even years.  2 months ago, after getting a wax, I developed some bumps on my upper lips that looked sort of purple in colour but did not itch or feel sore.  The sores have stayed for 2 months now - they do have a sort of white head and will produce a little white puss when squeezed then bleed - but will not go away.  I went to the doctor at the beginning of the bumps and he said they are definitely not herpes blisters because of their purplish colour but now going back after two months - he has took a swab and sent me for a herpes blood test. The doctor said that any bacterial infection should have gone away by now. I have also had some throbbing or tenderness on the top of my vagina over the two months.  I am very concerned obviously - does this present as genital herpes?  Would these lesions stay for over two months if they were herpes? I am awaiting the results but am very freaked out.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Final answer.  Each person tends to have their own pattern of HSV and HSV recurrences and when persons are infected and experiencing recurrences, the recurrences tend to do so in the same place.  It would be most unusual for a person with vaginal HSV infection/lesions to then start having rectal symptoms.

It sounds to me like you are unable to get by my advice to put your fears aside despite the absence of anything to suggest you have HSV.  I will not continue to fuel those anxieties by answering further "what if" questions.   I say this only becasue this line of questioning really will not help you move forward from your unwarranted concerns.   If you have test results you need clarification on, we can discuss those.    EWH

[mel4109]

I am sorry - I have one more question for you.  If you have genital herpes in one area, such as both sides of lips, can the genital herpes move around to other areas such as you anus etc.  Thank you once again for the information.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Isolated itching, particualr of the sort and duration you mention is rarely a manifestation of an STI.  I would not worry aobut it as a manifestion of HSV.

The possiblity of incorrect or misleading HSV blood tests is always present.  I will not go into the "what ifs" at this time. If your results are anything other than negative, and your own doctor cannot provide a satifactory explanation, you can follow-up with questions here.  I am confident however that the lesins youmention are not HSV.  EWH

[mel4109]

Sorry, last comment.  I am awaiting blood results and I have read on this forum that they can be confusing and wrong - do I need to worry about the outcome of these tests.  Thank you again.

[mel4109]

Thank you for your helpful reply.  The doctor I saw was a gyn.  I am also wondering if I should be worried about the itching I have had a times that is quite intense and if I maybe have had HSV for years without knowing it as I have read that symptoms can be very mild for some.  I am awaiting the results and will comment further however I am really panicking.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.   I'll be happy to provide some preliminary information and may have more comments after a little clarification.  I presume that the lesions you are now describing are on the upper lips of your vagina, correct?  Just want to be sure.

Either way, the lesions you describe are not in the least bit typical for HSV.  Even initial HSV lesions last only three weeks at most and when the infection recurs lesions are present for 3-5 days.  Further HSV lesions are not purple in college and should not produce pus when squeezed.  The lesions you describe are almost certainly not HSV and I anticipate that your tests will be negative.  

I am not sure what sore of doctor you saw.  Perhaps a dermatologist or a gyn (or another gyn if the doctor you have been seeing is a dermatologist) can provide some input.

I'll be happy to comment further when your test results are back.  EWH