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ghsv 1 more questions
Hello ,
Ive posted before on this site but after 2 yrs am still confused and today particularly having a bad day. Please help with issues and questions im still having. Background: Questionable exposer to hsv on Oct 4, 2010. Had bloodwork on 10-23-2010 that stated >5 for hsv 1 and 0.04 for hsv2. Tested again months later with virtually the same results. I was looking to see if ghsv 1 had come down any with no symptoms present. It did not. Have had questionable sores way up in nose in past yrs but never tested. Mother did have cold sores for years. Saying that I assumed after just 19 days and such a high positive that I had hsv1 already existing. After reading several posts I now realize thats not the case. Could you test so high so soon?? Some say yes?? Symptoms also at the time included extremely swollen labia major, white cottage cheese discharge, sore throat and fever. No blisters, sores or bumps at the time. If I didn't have sore throat and fever I probably wouldn't be so freaked. Also, FYI, sore throat with white patches in back of throat with fever did not come until around 10-25-2010. Would that not be an initial sign or is it possible to come later? In February of 2011, 4 months later I had another sore throat with burning sensation in anus. Lasted about 2-3 days? Since then I have had red bumps but they never blister and seem to be not always in same area. Last usually couple days. I have had dermatologist look at one at one point and she said looked liked folliculitis to her. Was not sold on her diagnosis. She didn't even swab. Over the last two years I do get frequent vaginal burning also. Never had that before or any red bumps prior to expected exposure which would of been orally. This has been eating my alive for over 2 years and looking for some advise. Thank you in advance for your time.
Ive posted before on this site but after 2 yrs am still confused and today particularly having a bad day. Please help with issues and questions im still having. Background: Questionable exposer to hsv on Oct 4, 2010. Had bloodwork on 10-23-2010 that stated >5 for hsv 1 and 0.04 for hsv2. Tested again months later with virtually the same results. I was looking to see if ghsv 1 had come down any with no symptoms present. It did not. Have had questionable sores way up in nose in past yrs but never tested. Mother did have cold sores for years. Saying that I assumed after just 19 days and such a high positive that I had hsv1 already existing. After reading several posts I now realize thats not the case. Could you test so high so soon?? Some say yes?? Symptoms also at the time included extremely swollen labia major, white cottage cheese discharge, sore throat and fever. No blisters, sores or bumps at the time. If I didn't have sore throat and fever I probably wouldn't be so freaked. Also, FYI, sore throat with white patches in back of throat with fever did not come until around 10-25-2010. Would that not be an initial sign or is it possible to come later? In February of 2011, 4 months later I had another sore throat with burning sensation in anus. Lasted about 2-3 days? Since then I have had red bumps but they never blister and seem to be not always in same area. Last usually couple days. I have had dermatologist look at one at one point and she said looked liked folliculitis to her. Was not sold on her diagnosis. She didn't even swab. Over the last two years I do get frequent vaginal burning also. Never had that before or any red bumps prior to expected exposure which would of been orally. This has been eating my alive for over 2 years and looking for some advise. Thank you in advance for your time.
No not what I really wanted to hear your right but thank you again for your time. Take Care
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It's not possible to know whether you have oral as well as nasal shedding of the viurs. However, my guess is that you are infectious for others by oral contact -- certainly that is the safest assumption. And as you suggest yourself, transmission often is quite likely in the day or so just before an outbreak becomes obvious.
If your oral sex partner happens to have HSV-1, as does half the adult population in the US, he probably is not at risk despite this exposure. But most likely he doesn't know that, so you'll have to contact him to discuss the situation and let him know of the epoxure.
I'm sure that's not what you wanted to hear, but you'll just have to deal with it.
If your oral sex partner happens to have HSV-1, as does half the adult population in the US, he probably is not at risk despite this exposure. But most likely he doesn't know that, so you'll have to contact him to discuss the situation and let him know of the epoxure.
I'm sure that's not what you wanted to hear, but you'll just have to deal with it.
Well I performed oral sex just one day before i noticed symptoms. I have no idea if he has any form of hsv and thats why im freaking out. Would I be just as contagious through saliva for a nose sore? Nasal herpes are pasted on through mouth im assuming. Through saliva even though sore is on outside tip of nose??
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
First, I forgot that you have a history of apparent recurrent oral herpes (nasal, actually). That fact alone means your genital symptoms are not due to HSV-1. People already infected with HSV are immune (or at least highly resistant) to new infections with the same virus type.
I'm aware that the previous outbreaks in your nose were not proved. However, with a dermatologist now confident that your current nasal lesion is a cold sore, you can be even more confident about having facial and not genital herpes.
As for why you're now having an outbreak in a slightly different location, there is no way to know. This happens all the time and doesn't mean anything. (Recurrent herpes outbreaks usually are pretty near each other, but there is certainly no difference between the inside and outside of the nose.)
You don't say what sort of contact you had with someone else as this lesion was developing. Tell me more and maybe I can assess whehter that person might be at risk.
Did the dermatologist treat you for this outbreak? Promt treatment (within a couple of days) of onset of herpes is quite effective in speeding healing. And if you're having frequent nasal herpes, you could speak to the dermatologist about ongoing treatment to prevent them.
But the good news is you can definitely forget genital herpes. You don't have it.
I'm aware that the previous outbreaks in your nose were not proved. However, with a dermatologist now confident that your current nasal lesion is a cold sore, you can be even more confident about having facial and not genital herpes.
As for why you're now having an outbreak in a slightly different location, there is no way to know. This happens all the time and doesn't mean anything. (Recurrent herpes outbreaks usually are pretty near each other, but there is certainly no difference between the inside and outside of the nose.)
You don't say what sort of contact you had with someone else as this lesion was developing. Tell me more and maybe I can assess whehter that person might be at risk.
Did the dermatologist treat you for this outbreak? Promt treatment (within a couple of days) of onset of herpes is quite effective in speeding healing. And if you're having frequent nasal herpes, you could speak to the dermatologist about ongoing treatment to prevent them.
But the good news is you can definitely forget genital herpes. You don't have it.
ok new development. I had a small cold and thought my nose was feeling raw from blowing it. However, a couple days later my nose was bright red on tip and had two bumps. Soon after it formed a sore. I went to the dermatologist today 1-11-13 and she said it was a cold sore. I am freaked and confused. My prior experiences with sores in my nose were up inside and NEVER on the tip to be seen like this one. This one does hurt and tingled so im not doubting the diagnosis. The biggest problem for me right now is I gave oral sex on 1-7-13. One day prior to raw feeling to someone I have no idea if has prior hsv. With no contact with actual skin because its on tip of nose am I as contagious through saliva alone? I always read that virus was present a couple days prior to actual symptoms. Is that true? Dr. HH does this change your opinion of prior nose sores? Please help with whatever advise you can. Thank you!
Thank you for your advise. Happy holidays to you!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Recurrent herpes outbreaks never last for several weeks -- generally painful for only 2-3 days and complete healing within 10-12 days.
Sore throat, discharge, and fever definitely do not suggest genital herpes. The initial infection could cause this combination of symptoms, but only rarely, and for sure recurrent herpes isn't a possible cause.
Yeast doesn't cause fever. You had something else.
Thanks for your kind words about the forum. Now do your best to accept my science-based reassurance. You should stop worrying about herpes. Of course if and when you develop bothersome symptoms of any kind, you should see a doctor or clinic for professional evaluation.
Sore throat, discharge, and fever definitely do not suggest genital herpes. The initial infection could cause this combination of symptoms, but only rarely, and for sure recurrent herpes isn't a possible cause.
Yeast doesn't cause fever. You had something else.
Thanks for your kind words about the forum. Now do your best to accept my science-based reassurance. You should stop worrying about herpes. Of course if and when you develop bothersome symptoms of any kind, you should see a doctor or clinic for professional evaluation.
Thank you for your quick response. I do feel a little better. However, just some quick points. Have you seen any cases of a swollen labia major for weeks with no blisters associated with herpes? The sore throat, discharge and fever dont point to herpes to you? Thats what is getting me. Do you normally get fever with yeast infection if that is what that was? I am very concerned about transmitting as you well know from other patients. I dont think it is said enough how much people like myself appreciate any feedback/advise you are willing to give. Thanks again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the forum.
As Dr. Hook noted in response to a question last January, your blood test indeed shows you are infected with HSV-1, but probably you were infected sometime well before your "questionable exposure" in October 2010. "Could" you test so high so soon? Possibly, but this would be very rare. It is more likely you have been infected since childhood, which is when most HSV-1 infections are acquired.
I doubt your sore throat or white patches in the throat were due to herpes. As I think you already know, recurrent oral herpes is mostly on the outside of the mouth (lips etc). For the same reason, I doubt the irritation you have felt in your nostrils is due to herpes. There are, of course, many, many other health conditions that could cause all these symptoms -- most of which are far more common than herpes!
Red bumps in the genital area that never turn into blister-like or pimple-like lesions almost certainly are not herpes. And although you don't describe the recurrence pattern of the red bumps that concern you, in one of your past threads you said they happened pretty frequently -- which also is against genital HSV-1. Recurrent vaginal area "burning" is also not likely due to herpes. Most people with genital herpes due to HSV-1 have very few recurrent outbreaks (almost half have no recurrences at all after the initial infection). I will also add that a dermatologist's visual diagnosis of folliculitis is highly reliable. Like the dermatologist, I also would not do a swab test on lesions typical for folliculitis.
For all those reasons, the most likely scenario here is that you have an asymptomatic HSV-1 infection, plus other causes for the genital area bumps, vaginal irritation, and your nasal symptoms. Of course this makes you very typical: half of all adults in the US have positive blood tests for HSV-1, and most have no symptoms of recurrent herpes anywhere on the body.
Therefore, my advice is that you ignore your HSV-1 test result; and see your doctor if and when any symptoms (nasal, genital, or other) seem sufficient for medical care, or if you want further confirmation against herpes.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
As Dr. Hook noted in response to a question last January, your blood test indeed shows you are infected with HSV-1, but probably you were infected sometime well before your "questionable exposure" in October 2010. "Could" you test so high so soon? Possibly, but this would be very rare. It is more likely you have been infected since childhood, which is when most HSV-1 infections are acquired.
I doubt your sore throat or white patches in the throat were due to herpes. As I think you already know, recurrent oral herpes is mostly on the outside of the mouth (lips etc). For the same reason, I doubt the irritation you have felt in your nostrils is due to herpes. There are, of course, many, many other health conditions that could cause all these symptoms -- most of which are far more common than herpes!
Red bumps in the genital area that never turn into blister-like or pimple-like lesions almost certainly are not herpes. And although you don't describe the recurrence pattern of the red bumps that concern you, in one of your past threads you said they happened pretty frequently -- which also is against genital HSV-1. Recurrent vaginal area "burning" is also not likely due to herpes. Most people with genital herpes due to HSV-1 have very few recurrent outbreaks (almost half have no recurrences at all after the initial infection). I will also add that a dermatologist's visual diagnosis of folliculitis is highly reliable. Like the dermatologist, I also would not do a swab test on lesions typical for folliculitis.
For all those reasons, the most likely scenario here is that you have an asymptomatic HSV-1 infection, plus other causes for the genital area bumps, vaginal irritation, and your nasal symptoms. Of course this makes you very typical: half of all adults in the US have positive blood tests for HSV-1, and most have no symptoms of recurrent herpes anywhere on the body.
Therefore, my advice is that you ignore your HSV-1 test result; and see your doctor if and when any symptoms (nasal, genital, or other) seem sufficient for medical care, or if you want further confirmation against herpes.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs 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.
