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Hello,
Here’s my timeline:
Nov. 17, 2014: Kissed someone a few times (peck-type) kisses who may have had a cold sore
2 wks later noticed white spots on gums and lower lip has been swollen and some burning with redness now is peeling and dry with some swelling
Took a igg test 6 wks post-exposure that was negative
Then had unexplained lower calf muscle pain on right leg on dec. 30 so I massaged with my hands then saw little bumps forming on leg which dermatologist says is pilaris keratosis bumps but I think could have been herpes so I panicked and thought I spread to my hands so took a 5-day course of acyclovir.
Also this same day I had some burning redness in anal area and noticed a cut by anus. I had that swabbed 5 days later and it was negative
Since then I have taken some more acyclovir on and off as needed, sometimes one 200mg pill a day, sometimes nothing although this past wknd I took two a day bc I was stressed and felt my finger was flaring up.
I also had another igg test done at 9 wks that was negative. I was planning on another test at 12 wks but can I not trust results bc I’ve taken acyclovir? -
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So are you saying that your only possible exposure to herpes was a couple of peck kisses (vs passionate kisses) with someone who MIGHT have had a cold sore? Oral herpes is not spread in this way. It takes far more contact than that. Why do you say that they might have had a cold sore?
Thinking that you have it everywhere as you describe is extremely unlikely!
Tell me more about the kissing and the person you think had a cold sore.
Terri
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And how much acyclovir in total have you taken? And why was is prescribed for you anyway?
Terri
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No, herpes is not transmitted via peck kisses UNLESS there is an obvious cold sore present. In the “old days” not many people realized that cold sores were caused by the herpes simplex virus so they didn’t hesitate to kiss their kids when they had cold sores. Now, people are more aware and are less likely to do that. Certainly, kisses when a cold sore is present present far more risk, even with a peck on this lips. But a black spot does not sound like herpes to me but could a nevus which is like a mole and is not infectious to others.
I think if you plan to test again in the future, it might be good to consider the effects of acyclovir in large doses on the antibody test. So far, I think the effect will be minimal if not zero for the amount that you have taken.
I honestly think that your concerns about having herpes all over the place are groundless fears.
So happy you were able to reunite with your boyfriend.Terri
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You used up your first subscription a while ago. You must renew after each three questions. Thanks
Terri
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I think there would need to be significant breaks in the dry skin and lots of contact between the virus and your hand for transmission to occur. From what I read, that is simply not the case. It’s a good thing that you were negative at 6 weeks, I’m believing that you will be negative once again. Let me know.
Terri
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No, it does not appear like that and I have only once seen herpes on the lower leg.
I have not seen cold sores appear black. I mean there could be a scab that looks dark red but I think you saw a nevus or mole on the lip perhaps.Only the western blot is terribly reliable with HSV 1. I don’t think doing another ELISA will help you at this point.
Terri
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we will be starting a study involving people who live in the five states that don’t allow western blots to be run as standard send out tests probably by February 1st. If you email rene@westoverheights.com, she can put you on a list of potential participants.
Yes, cold sores are likely somewhat less contagious when they are scabbed.
The cost of a western blot is about $200. It should be done at 16 weeks past potential exposure.Terri
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I stand by my original opinion – it would be very unlikely to acquire HSV 1 through a few “peck” kisses.
Herpes is not associated with a change in vaginal odor and I am not clear why you are worrying about genital symptoms. I thought that your concern was acquiring HSV orally from a peck kiss and now you’re wearing about genital symptoms. Is this because you think that you have spread herpes from your mouth to your genital area? You have asked for my honest opinion and I will give it to you. I do not think that you have acquired oral herpes, leg herpes, or genital herpes. I think that you have gotten carried away with this concern and are recognizing every possible body symptom that you could have that suggests herpes to you. If you do the Western blot at 16 weeks, I don’t think you should be surprised if your HSV 1 antibody is positive. 56% of people in the US between the ages of 14 and 49 have an HSV 1 infection. The test that you took as a screening test frequently misses HSV 1 infection. In fact it misses one or two out of every 10 cases of HSV 1 infection. The Western blot is far more sensitive than this so it is not uncommon for people to have a negative HSV 1 screening test and a positive HSV 1 herpes Western blot. If your Western blot HSV 1 test is positive you will never know for certain when you acquired this infection. However, given the exposure that you describe I think it is highly unlikely that you acquired HSV one from the person that you kissed.
We are once again out of questions with the subscription. If you have more questions that you want to ask please renew
your subscription.Terri
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If you are negative, that’s all you need to know. The numbers will vary over time anyway.
I think we are getting close to starting the study. You would still need to pay for the western blot; the study will look at the prevalence of false positive results in states that will not allow shipment of western blot tests. You know, of course, if you take the western blot and it is positive for HSV 1 you will not know when you acquired it, right?You symptoms sound nothing like herpes to me at all. Coffee does not trigger outbreaks.
You are asking if I think something that isn’t herpes would spread to your cheeks? No.
Your gyno exam does not sound consistent with herpes either. Herpes does not cause pain on cervical swabbing. Did you gyno think this looked like herpes to them?
Terri
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Those states don’t allow any labs to be shipped out of state as I understand it. I don’t know the details about the why’s.
It is true that the majority of people who test positive for HSV 1 do not report symptoms of either oral or genital herpes.
Terri
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There are lots of things that don’t sound like herpes to me
I wouldn’t say that herpes lesions really involve peeling. They start as a red bump that grows into a blister or group of blisters that is almost always painful or tender. The blisters then break open and make an open ulcerated area in the lip which then makes a crust or scab and then falls off. The process, even with a true first infection, takes about 3 days to three weeks, and never last two months. The problem with reading about something vs. having experience with is can be significant.
I think stress can be related to outbreaks but I don’t believe diet can be generalized to causing outbreaks.
But you seem convinced this is herpes that you just acquired. So I hope you can clear on this at some point.
Terri
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angular chelitis describes a condition of the mouth tissue, specifically lip corner tissue. It cause isn’t 100% clear, but fungal elements certainly cause some of the problem.
Yes, most definitely, the usual presentation of primary HSV 1 infection is cold sores.
Terri
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Those bumps sound absolutely nothing like herpes to me.
Terri
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No, this absolutely sounds nothing like herpes to me.
Terri
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