should i be worried?

[alav07]

i tested positive for high risk HPV. i have had  6 sexual partners in the past 3 years, before finding out i had HPV. i have broken up with my boyfriend (who i got HPV). i have been a wreck thinking that i could also have herpes. none of my partners have told me they are positive for herpes. i went to the OBG last week for a check up and told her my concerns, but she dismissed it. she said i could do a blood test, but it wont be accurate because she wouldnt be swabbing an open sore and i could get a false positive. she tested me for syp., ghon. and clam. and will get those results back in a few days.  

1. No blisters or open sores. i occasionally get a red bump that is an ingrown (always pull a hair) or a swollen follicle where the edge of my underwear lay on my bikini line. i usually wear fitted clothing. The bumps last a week.
2. i've always headaches since i was young. But now i see that it's a sign along with leg and back aches, which i have always gotten too.
3. Around 4 months ago, i was sick with a sore throat.  I had three white spots on a swollen tonsil, which i dismissed as strep throat. I never visited a doctor to get treated and the white spots disappeared after 3 days.   since then, my glands have been slightly enlarged. i saw my doctor and he put me on penacillian. after 4 days of taking it, my throat hurts and feels like a sinus drip. no white marks or sores in my mouth, but my glands are still swollen.
5. i often feel tingling on my left thigh. feels like someone is rubbing a feather on it.  it does not itch or burn.  is this the "tingling sensation"?
6. I also have a bump on my left outer thigh. it was the size of a pea and a shade lighter that my skin. i played with it, and tore the skin off the top.  there was no pain.
7. i wax my upper lip and always get swollen and a tiny bump at the tips of my upper lip. it never breaks open to a sore, or comes to a head like a pimple.

Am i being completely paranoid or do these signs point to herpes?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Over 85% of adults will get HPV at some time in their life and when they do, nearly everyone's immune system will eliminate the infection without therapy.  There is a little debate regarding whether the disappearance of HPV means that it is truly gone or just no longer detectable. Most scientists however believe it is gone.     Glad to hear your tests were negative. Hope this helps. EWH

[alav07]

Thanks for all your help Dr Hook,

I got my results back today for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis and they were all negative.  My OBG also told me that my Pap was negative for HPV as well.  It's been a year since I tested positive for it.  Does that mean that my immune system has fought it off?  Or is it still in my body?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, I don't think it is overly odd.  You are at relatively low risk and the lesions you describe are not particularly suggestive of HSV.  If you remain concerned, in my opinion it would be better to have your docotr perform a culture on these lessions soon afte rthey appear than to do a blood test.  EWH

[alav07]

Thank you for your response Dr Hook,

I'm not sure if I'm just being completely paranoid, but don't you think it's odd that i keep getting these red spot in my bikini area?  I know that none are along the labia and they never appear in the same spot.  I've read that most people just dismiss these spots for something other than herpes, when in fact it is herpes.

Also, would the newer blood tests be more accurate or would those give me a false positive as well?

i'm sorry for all the questions, i just need peace of mind with this.

[alav07]

i forgot to add -  i also usually get a very mild yeast infections right before my period.  they just cause a little itching, but nothing too severe

[Edward W Hook, MD]

.None of the symptoms or concerns you mention are in the least bit suggestive of herpes.  There are good alternate explanations and the symptoms you describe do not suggest typical HSV.  I agree with your doctor that a blood test for HSV would not be helpful.  In your situation, based on what you have told me, you would be more likely to get a false positive test result for HSV than an accurate diagnosis.  My suggestion would be to not worry.

Many other questions and information about herpes can be obtained by accessing excellent informational web sites such as the one run by the American Social Health Association (disclosure, Dr. Handsfield and I are both on the Board of Directors of ASHA).  Please check it out for additonal information.  EWH