Is this awful stress or herpes please help

[Sostressedout]

Hello Terri,
I made a mistake and had unprotected sex 10 days ago, the next day I was really upset and felt mortified which in turn has caused me stress and anxiety. I do have a history of lichen sclerosis and am used to occasionally having itching and burning sensations. I went to the gyn at day 5 for a check up and swabs and labs were negative for any sti. I asked my dr if this could be an onset and he said nothing is leading him to believe so.I have been so stressed out I have had panic attacks and Gi upset. I can’t tell if all of these sensations are psychosomatic due to my horrible anxiety or if I have contracted HSV. I have not had any sores, bumps or lesions aside from razor burn from shaving the other day. I have super sensitive skin and everything is irritating me or making me feel itchy (literally all over my body). I have had no pain with urinating. Just weird feelings. I am unsure if 6 days after these strange feelings started would I have any bumps or lesions. I do want to get tested? But wanted your input in which test you would recommend?

[Sostressedout]

I am sorry I guess my actual questions are:
1. How long after sexual contact do herpes sores arise? Can you have a primary or initial outbreak without sores?

2. Could this all be stress related and just flaring up my Lichen?

3. I would like to have blood work done or some sort of testing just to put it to rest, what do you suggest that I ask my doctor for. Just want the most accurate.

[Sostressedout]

Another question I have is could clobetasol mask an outbreak?

[Terri Warren]

1. How long after sexual contact do herpes sores arise? Can you have a primary or initial outbreak without sores?
The average time is 5.5 days. Yes, people can have a primary without recognized sores, but most do have some symptoms.

2. Could this all be stress related and just flaring up my Lichen?
That’s certainly possible yes

3. I would like to have blood work done or some sort of testing just to put it to rest, what do you suggest that I ask my doctor for. Just want the most accurate.
Well, I wouldn’t recommend testing for you unless you decide to do the western blot. The IgG tests routinely available are loaded with false positives, and one episode of unprotected intercourse with no real herpes symptoms doesn’t, in my mind, warrant testing. Not with the tests being so poor.
Another question I have is could clobetasol mask an outbreak?
no

Terri

[Sostressedout]

Thank you for your response.

I did have the igg done 12 days after just for baseline which both HSV 1 and 2 came back as “<.91” which is negative. I know it’s definitely not enough time for seroconversion. I guess I just wanted an initial baseline. How soon could I get a western blot? It’s been 3 weeks with no obvious sore type of outbreak just a lot of strange feelings. Perhaps it’s just my anxiety getting the best of me.

[Terri Warren]

The western blot should be done 12 weeks after a concerning sexual encounter.

Terri

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