[HSV 1 infection]

Hi Terri,

Thanks for your helpful responses.

I was starting to let go of my fears when it became pretty clear that I’m suffering from nerve problems. I feel like I have bugs crawling under my skin at random times throughout the day. It’s a terrible feeling, and it usually happens in my thighs, legs, arms, and near my ears. The slim possibility of post-herpetic neuralgia is really making me worry again.

I know you said it’s really rare, but do you think I should go back to the doctor for a herpes-related evaluation?

Do a PCR swab test?

Is it unlikely that I would suffer herpetic neuralgia without having had lesions?

Also, my first IGG index (2 weeks post encounter) was 2.77. My second IGG index (8 weeks post encounter) was 2.49. Does this mean anything?

Do you think it would be worth following up with the Western Blot test in a few months? Or is it pretty clear that I’m HSV-1 positive?

A month before this last encounter, I had a lot of weird symptoms after the first time I received oral from my then-boyfriend (who then decided to dump me). I had severe lower back pain, mild discharge, fevers, nausea, and a general sense of unwellness. It lasted three weeks. I was tested for everything and the doctors never figured out what it was. Is it possible my ex could have given me HSV-1 and the past two months have been more severe follow-up outbreaks? Unfortunately, I don’t feel comfortable contacting him to ask if he’s ever had herpes cold sores.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 9 months ago by HSV 1 infection.

[HSV 1 infection]

Thanks Terri, I appreciate your reassurance. A few more final questions, and then I will try to find a way to put this behind me.

What is the likelihood that someone without a cold sore can pass the virus through oral sex in one encounter?

The doctor did a PCR test a couple weeks ago that came back negative. Is this helpful? Or is the test useless unless you have a lesion?

Is the fact that I’ve been sick for so long (8 weeks since exposure) a sign that it could be something other than herpes?

If these symptoms come back at some point, would I be able to order a PCR testing kit from your clinic? If so, how would this work?

Sorry to ask for advice, but I guess I was hoping you could offer some guidance as to how I should move forward from this situation. I feel very alone in this; the doctors keep dismissing my worries, and my therapist does the same based on what the doctors have told me. I know you can’t give me an answer for whether or not I have it, but based on what I’ve told you, do you have any advice on how I should proceed? I know I have to accept the uncertainty, but I’d like to be able to feel mostly one way or the other.

Thank you

• This reply was modified 7 years, 9 months ago by HSV 1 infection.

[HSV 1 infection]

Hi Terri,

Thanks for all the helpful feedback you’ve given me over the past few weeks. After so many doctor’s appointments and nights of worry, I’m trying to get some level of closure with this issue, as I need to move on. I still don’t have a diagnosis; the doctors keep telling me there’s no sign of a recent herpes infection, that my symptoms are not being caused by an STD, but that they still don’t know the cause. They’ve just found yeast, but the yeast meds aren’t working.

I know there’s no way I can 100% know where the HSV-1 virus is on my body. As I told you before, everyone in my immediate family gets herpes cold sores, and I had a tiny odd looking reddish brown sore/cut on my lip a couple winters ago right after having a terrible flu. It burned like hell for two weeks and finally went away on its own. I remember reading about herpes and figured that’s what I had.

And unfortunately, I took my first herpes blood test two weeks after the encounter that could have exposed me to the virus, which means there was enough time for my body to create antibodies. I had an index value of 2.77.

It’s been eight weeks since the encounter. The person who exposed me is positive for HSV-1 but did not have a cold sore at the time. Since then, I’ve experienced terrible burning and tingling in the genital region (1 week post exposure); flu symptoms which may or may not have been related (10-12 days post exposure); pain in my thighs and left leg; vaginal discharge; a constant scratchy feeling in the genital area; and weird tingling feelings on my face. I’ve seen 4 different docs and they’ve all said I need to stop worrying about herpes. I’ve also had a bad sore throat on and off but the ID doc said it’s sinus-related. Could this really all be from stress? I am a very anxious person, as you can probably tell.

Last week, I took another blood test for herpes and the result was the same. I’ve had one negative viral culture when the burning and tingling was god awful, and a negative PCR swab while feeling symptomatic. I’ve had around 8 pelvic exams over the course of this nightmare, and each time my skin and cervix appeared completely normal. No blisters, pimples, cuts, sores, or inflammation. My recent bloodwork shows a normal white blood cell count, which suggests I’m not fighting a viral infection.

I guess I just want to put this behind me, but want an evaluation I can trust/hold onto when it comes to seeing myself in relation to this virus. I know you’re an expert on a disease that a lot of docs don’t know much about.

Should I assume I have it and try to move on? Tell future partners about my anxieties over a genital infection? Should I assume I don’t have it and hope for the best? Of course I’m going to tell future partners that I have HSV-1 and that I’ve had an oral blister. I guess I’m looking for your insights as I try to move forward with my life.

P.S. Should I ask for a Tzanck smear? Would that be helpful?

• This reply was modified 7 years, 9 months ago by HSV 1 infection.

[HSV 1 infection]

Hi Terri,

Thanks so much for your responses. I really appreciate your input and trust your years of experience. I feel like the doctors I have seen for this issue have completely dismissed my concerns about herpes because I don’t have visible lesions. Should I consider seeing an infectious disease specialist?

My gynecologist did a viral culture from a vaginal swabbing that came back negative. Is this at all helpful?

Also, I am concerned about the fact that I still have a general feeling of unwellness, bad vaginal burning sensations, and what feels like swollen lymph nodes in my throat. I also have weird creeping sensations all over my body, but especially in my thighs and legs. Is it possible the creeping feelings could be caused by recent genital herpes infection? Could it be post herpetic neuralgia?

• This reply was modified 7 years, 9 months ago by HSV 1 infection.

[HSV 1 infection]

Hi Terri,

I really appreciate your responses. Do you think I’m too worried over this being a primary infection, or over genital herpes in general?

Is it normal for people to randomly experience sudden flu symptoms (like my on and off sore throats or a sudden increase in temperature that resolves quickly on its own) during an outbreak?

Does my case sound like a genital herpes outbreak?

Thank you!

[HSV 1 infection]

Hi Terri,

Thanks for your responses. I guess I’m still pretty worried that this is a genital HSV-1 infection. I’ve been experiencing otherwise unexplainable mild sore throats on and off (I have one today), and I have an unpleasant achy feeling in my thighs. I’m especially worried about the sore throat because that suggests a viral infection.

I’ve been on my period for the past 3 days and I’ve heard that menstruation can trigger outbreaks. I’m back to being scared again and I’m not sure what to do.

I’m confused because this feels like one continuous outbreak rather than one right after the other, as the symptoms keep randomly coming and going. The only constant has been bad discharge and feeling bad. From everything I’ve read, herpes tends to follow a certain pattern: tingling, lesions, flu symptoms, healing.

I’ve read that outbreaks can last up to six weeks. It’s been almost six weeks since the encounter, so maybe the outbreak is just taking a long time?

Would a PCR test of vaginal fluid help determine if this is a genital infection?

Should I ask my doctor for antibiotics or an antiviral herpes medicine, just in case?

[HSV 1 infection]

Thanks Terri, I will. I guess I still have a few lingering questions, in case the medicines I’ve been given for bv and yeast don’t work.

Is it possible/normal to experience the severe burning, tingling, and flu symptoms with a primary outbreak and not get bumps or sores?

[HSV 1 infection]

Thank you so much Terri. I’ve been living in a state of emotional hell this past month, wondering whether or not I’ve been experiencing a genital herpes outbreak. Your response is helping me find peace of mind, as I know you are an expert in this field.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 9 months ago by HSV 1 infection.

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