Likely to be Herpes?

[questiontoask]

Hello,

I have been stressing out and I need some help. Here’s my history:

I have had 4 sexual partners in my lifetime. The first 2 were long-term, monogamous relationships and both of the men were virgins prior to our relationship, so I’m more concerned about the 2 most recent partners. One was a short relationship last fall–I had condom-protected vaginal sex with this man. During the course of our relationship, I had one yeast infection (my first and only) and I saw a doctor, who did a swab and an exam at the time.

I had sex with the most recent partner in spring 2015, condom-protected vaginal sex and unprotected oral sex (both giving and receiving). About 4 days after I had sex with him, I had two little painful spots in my mouth. They were like little raised pinpoints that were a little bit red, then they shrunk down and disappeared within a day or 2. About 6 days after that, I had two blister-like spots in my pubic region, right next to each other, a couple inches above my pubic bone. Kind of reddish and opaque-looking. They were there for about 6-7 weeks, then they pretty much healed over and fell off/disappeared (there was no ulcer phase). No pain with them.

About 2-3 weeks after those spots disappeared, I had two more spots right next to each other, a little higher in my pubic region. These were similar blister-like spots, but they were more opaque. They were there for almost 2 months, then they finally disappeared. Again, no ulcers. I also had two smaller spots below the blister-like spots, which were more opaque and less blistery. When I squeezed them (I know I shouldn’t) it was like a little white, waxy plug popped out, followed by some blood, then the spots healed over (though kind of slowly, it seemed).

I have looked and I have never seen any spots, lesions, or sores around my vagina or on my labia, just the spots up high on my pubic area.

I know the answer to all of this is probably that I should see a doctor, but how characteristic does this sound of HSV infection? If it is HSV, does the first episode sound typical of a primary infection? It seemed like the spots lasted for a really long time, especially during the second “episode.” Is this typical? Does it sound like a herpes infection? The symptoms sound somewhat similar to molluscom contagiosum, which I believe my most recent partner has had (not sure if genitally or elsewhere).

I haven’t been tested and I don’t know the parnters’ statuses. I’ve been so scared to even call my doctor, which I know is totally stupid but hopefully this will help break the ice towards me getting over that fear and getting some help. Thank you very much.

[Terri Warren]

It does not sounds characteristic of HSV 1 infection but it does sound consistent with something called molluscum contagiosum. That is consistent with what your partner may have had, right?

Herpes lesions do not last as long as your description, nor do have they have waxy centers.

I think you can rule out acquiring herpes from your first two partners unless it would be HSV 1 from oral sex. And the pubic hair spots do sound very much like molluscum. I can’t tell you that you don’t have herpes but I can tell you that your symptoms are not consistent with herpes at all.

If you do decide that you want to test, you can order the IgG antibody test online without a clinician order, but in your case, I honestly don’t feel like you need one.

Terri

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