Herpes in the throat?

[happyherp14]

I had my initial outbreak about a month ago. It was a true initial infection with swollen inguinal nodes, flu-like symptoms, and the most pain I’ve ever experienced in my life (I have a vagina). My sores were there for ~5days before starting Valtrex and were gone w/i 1 week after. I’ve been on daily suppressive therapy ever since. Unfortunatley when the sores were present I received uninformed care and the sores were only swabbed for hsv. My partner who certainly gave it to me because my baseline bloodwork was negative and I had not been sexually active for over a year, when he got blood drawn was only tested for HSV-2 along with all the other STIs. He was and still is asymptomatic and had no clue he had the virus so we still don’t know the type nor do we know the location of his infection. He is not on antivirals. I wanted to wait a full 12 weeks before repeat labs. We were not sexually active over the past month until two days ago. I was the receiver of oral sex and we kissed a lot after he performed oral sex- like lovers. We also used a condom for penetrative sex. 24 hours after this encounter I have a sore throat. I think I can see sores in my throat but I honestly don’t know what it normally looks like in there or tonsils, etc. Something is definitely going on as my lymph nodes are beginning to swell and become sore. I do feel sick all over like a cold, nothing too bad yet though. My throat is the worst symptom. I don’t have any sores on my mouth or lips. I read about herpes esophagitis and of course am wondering if this could the case. Could we possibly have spread my genital infection to my throat after my partner performed oral sex or if he just infected me in my throat from kissing because we don’t know if he has an oral infection. Is that likely/common? Is it possible to be having another episode similar to my initial genital OB since it’s in a different location; with flu-like symptoms and all? Do flu-like symptoms often occur again after an initial OB?

[happyherp14]

I forgot to say his HSV-2 IgG was negative. It could be a false negative as he has had other partners in the past three months and maybe too early. Or he has HSV-1 which they didn’t order. Our healthcare providers sadly lack so much knowledge on herpes for it to be so common!

• This reply was modified 1 month ago by happyherp14.

[Terri Warren]

The most likely thing you would get from receiving oral sex is HSV 1, not HSV 2. So did you have an antibody test and was negative for both or did you have a swab test to make your diagnosis? I’m a bit confused. Can you help?

Terri

[happyherp14]

I wanted to ensure you saw my response because I think I added a comment instead of hitting reply. My genital swab test did confirm HSV diagnosis but they unfortunately didn’t do typing at patient first. I also had an antibody test a few days later and was negative for both hsv-1 and hsv-2 so I’m sure I got infected by my current partner. At the time of initial infection/outbreak we both performed oral and penetrative sex without barriers and I got a genital outbreak. So there’s no way to know where he has the infection. His HSV-2 antibody test was negative but again could be a false negative given he’s had other partners within the past 12 weeks. It’s been weeks since my initial OB with no recognizable recurrent outbreaks besides maybe some tingling a few weeks ago. I definitely had no symptoms during intercourse a few days ago before getting the sore throat and my partner has never had symptoms. So I don’t know if I have hsv-1 or hsv-2 but am still curious on the likelihood of now being infected in my throat after the intercourse I described in my original post.

[happyherp14]

The genital swab test did confirm HSV but they unfortunately didn’t do typing at patient first. I also had an antibody test and was negative for both hsv-1 and hsv-2. At the time of initial infection we both performed oral and penetrative sex without barriers and I got a genital outbreak.

[Terri Warren]

Given this history, there is no way to know, from this, what type you have. And the only way to know if a particular symptom is herpes (sore throat) is to have a herpes swab test done. I think I would advise you to wait about 8-10 weeks and do another IgG test and see what’s there. If you are taking any regular antiviral medicine, it could well impact this test, however.

Terri

[happyherp14]

Terri, thank you. I know there’s no way to know what type I have but was more concerned if herpes esophagitis is a common occurrence after receiving oral sex and then kissing the person who performed oral sex on me. I turns out I was positive for strep and my throat feels better after treatment with antibiotics. I hope it wasn’t herpes, it seems my immune system has been compromised since acquiring herpes at the end of December/early January.

Anyway, I am anxious to know what type I have and planned labs at the beginning of April which is right at 13 weeks since exposure. Do you think since I’m on suppressive therapy this is still too soon to get repeat IgG testing? Would you recommended I do a wester blot instead and is there a difference in the amount of time I should wait if getting a blot versus an IgG?

[Terri Warren]

Sorry, you are out of questions. You’ve posted five times and paid for 3

Terri

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