1. AUgust 2018: I had 1 encounter of protected sex with M of unknown status
10 days later: While routine bathing I found 2 small cuts on outer labia above my clitoris which looked like a thin scratch right on the fold. They were pink in the center- cuts were not bothersome except if I wipe or touch area. I have in the past cut myself with my nails while wiping/ bathing. Not sure if this could have been the case.. I didn’t go to doctor bc they went away on their own a few days later. If they would have been painful or something I would have gone to doc
2. SEPT 2018- cut on labia skin (fatty part by thigh/ near middle of vaginal) … this cut was not swabbed as I was watching it. Didn’t bother or anything, just went away a few days later. I do believe I cut myself with nails in shower altho my memory has me doubting but it’s what I think I remember.
4. DEC 2018- I had another set of cuts above clit and labia which was swabbed and hsv negative. I did test positive for yeast and treated and they never came back.
* during that time I was exercising alot and going out after gym without showering, probably harboring yeast (which I have always been prone to yeast and BV)
QUESTION: could it be probable I had this yeast infection since AUG that came and went with period?
Or does either #1 or #2 sound like a primary HSV outbreak? I’ve tested neg for hsv2 prior to this
PRESENT DAY- Havent experienced anything out of the ordinary since then (4.5 YRS) Got pregnant had a baby no issues
Doc says I don’t have hsv 2- id know he says and
I agree with your doc that you very likely do not have HSV 2.
…
Doc says I don’t have hsv 2- “I’d know” he says and does not see need to test unless I have something else to swab. Which I plan to do.
* I did have a random red dot swabbed recently when my health anxiety started surfacing which came back negative for HSV*
Q: Based on what I’ve described do you think I should test? I know that people can be asymptomatic carriers and all- doc says most have symptoms throughout a given year and the fact I’ve been pregnant gone through a traumatic birth with no OB indicates I don’t have it. He’s been my doc for 22 years and I am pretty diligent about going when things are concerning and my annuals etc.
Q: does protected sex with male of unknown status and unknown OB really protect female at 96%? it was 1 time.
That is correct
My anxiety can’t take a blood test so I really prefer not to at this time given false positives (he also dissuaded me from testing via blood)
My health anxiety is spiraling right now and I am seeking help but I need to reconcile the past and move on.
I do think writing to you and letting this out will help me do so.
What’s your risk assesment and do you think I should blood test or just move on?
Just move on – too high a risk of a false positive to do an IgG with virtually no risky behavior. If you did anything, do the western blot.
Also adding it goes without saying I feel guilt about that 1 exposure. I never have casual sex and it was a huge mistake in my life. Now that I have a baby and family I am punishing myself for my past by having all this anxiety. I just need your expert opinion to help me move on… also… adding to the SEPT cut description. They were gone in about a week or so- I was travelling then and recall them going away quickly. Also none of my cuts blistered itched or burned or caused discomfort that I recall.
I have no concerns that you have HSV 2 and I think you should seek mental health counseling to try to really get this behind you so you can live a full and happy life with that little baby of yours.
Terri