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A few weeks ago I had sex quite a few times with a stranger and there were occasions I was dry and the sex was frequent. I was extremely sore. I also developed a bacterial infection and when I checked the next day I noticed the base of my vagina was swollen and my discharge smelled bad. I went to the dr. And they diagnosed me with a bacterial UTI. When I went home this was perhaps a day or two after the sex and I noticed a cut not on my perineum but a little above it, on the edge of the vaginal entrance. It looked like a little cut/gash. I was kind of worried because I checked the area the day after sex and it wasn’t there or I hadnt noticed it then, so I freaked out and immediately thought herpes as it showed up later. It didn’t hurt and simply looked like a tiny gash. I am concerned because I usually get shallow perineum cuts after sex that heal in about 2 days. This however took about 4-5 days to heal and was closer to the softer tissue on the edge of the entrance. It didn’t hurt only when I went to the restroom and urine got on it. I’m not sure if bacterial vaginosis combined with the trauma from sex contributed to the cut/gash. I finished my antibiotics and both the chunky smelly discharge and cut dissapeared.
It was a clean cut where you could sort of see the white flesh underneath. I checked my groin nodes and they were not swollen during the presence of this cut.
I know some people get herpes in the form of papercuts instead of classical blisters. Does this sound consistent with a first time outbreak of herpes? The papercut variety?
I’ve gotten tested for all other stds except herpes from this encounter and was cleared.
How common is the presentation of genital herpes as papercuts?
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That’s a good question. I would say that most first infections do not present looking like paper cuts, more like rounded sores or blisters, though women most often don’t see the blisters because they break and become ulcers before they can be seen. Have you ever been tested in the past for herpes? If yes, what were the results by antibody test? I ask because you mention that you’ve had cuts on the labia in the past. When the cuts were there, did anyone see them or do any testing?
This is concerning, yes, but I don’t think we can make any clear decisions without lab testing as to whether this might be herpes or not. If you have never had any lab testing for herpes, I think you should get a baseline antibody test now so you can compare that with results down the road.
Terri
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Do you know your HSV 1 status? That will impact my answers.
Terri -
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A person who has HSV 1 if much less likely to notice symptoms if they acquire HSV 2 or keep the symptoms minor. That’s why I ask. So I still think this is unlikely a first infection, since it was a one time encounter and statistically, the odds are lower of contracting HSV 2 at a single encounter but I think when you get the money together you might want to test anyway ,just to be sure. You can do the testing online and do not have to pay a clinic visit. You want HSV 2 only IgG, no Igm or anything else. If you have more unusual symptoms before you do the antibody test, like sores I would arise that you get the swab tested.
Terri
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You’re most welcome
Terri -
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I do see people with herpes that present as papercuts, yes, but not usually with a first infection.
In my opinion, a first time hsv infection with type 2 in the face of having type 1 might resolve in under 10 days. Fissures follow the same healing process as blisters and ulcers – they either crust or simply fill in with new tissue.
Remember that people who acquire HSV 2 in the face of having HSV 1 usually have a milder outbreak by definition. However, having said all of that, the odds of getting herpes at a single encounter are not great statistically.Let’s just wait and see what the test results say. Distract yourself with visits with friends, volunteering, watching a movie, exercising. Remember, it is what it is already. You are just finding out now.
Terri
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No, that number is not likely to change. If you were my clinic patient, I would say that you can consider yourself uninfected with HSV 2, with 97% certainty.
Terri
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I really can’t tell much from the pictures, quite honestly. If you have repeated irritation of this area, I strongly suggest that you see a clinician as soon as possible after the irritation starts to get it evaluated, especially if it is truly abnormal for you. It is also possible that you are sensitive to or allergic to something in the Summer’s Eve washes or wipes – I’ve certainly heard of other people who are sensitive to these products.
Terri
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It could resolve in three days but you have so much evidence that says you don’t have HSV 2. I think it would be good if you could believe the antibody test unless you have concrete evidence, like a positive swab test, to the contrary.
Terri
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I would advise you to accept the test results you obtained after waiting 5 months to be tested. There is no point in testing again at this point. If you tested negative at 5 months, I believe you will stay negative by ELISA.
Terri
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I understand. I don’t think the above was herpes related, no. And yes, it would be good to get your partner tested.
We are now out of questions for this subscription.
Terri
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