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confused

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bob86162
bob86162

I'm confused to say the least. If a guy gave me oral sex when there was a coldsore in the stages of developing(he told me he had a full blown one about a week and a bit later and refused to kiss me which was a good thing) would I get genital herpes type 1 possibly? Why would it show up on my beltline? I had these sores that the doctor said was herpes but he then didn't even test my blood for the virus(I only found this out when I went to get the results) so he retested the blood(which came back negative obviously, he didn't care one bit, terrible doctor) and this was about I'm going to say about month post exposure that the sores developed. They were painless, red and after a week they turned purplish brownish and they had a somewhat opaque clear center that on one of the sores turned red in the center almost like it had been picked off and they scabbed over(just one cluster of 3 sores) and disappeared completely. Anyways I went back about 4 months post exposure and got tested again which cane back negative, now the doctor put me on anti virals so I wonder if it affected the results or if not enough time had passed? I have never had another outbreak since and worry I may be aysmpomatic.

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • FelizCastus
    FelizCastus bob86162

    Posted

    Depends when you started taking the meds in relation to testing. Also, which test did you do for herpes? IgG or IgM? Either way, it is not typical to get a first outbreak not on the genitals and so far removed.
    • bob86162
      bob86162 FelizCastus

      Posted

      I honestly don't even know as I didn't ask the receptionist when she called me back(I called because I was so worried and she said the test came back negative) looking back I should have asked. And thats what I thought why would it be all the way up here? If you see "1Theo9899"s post below with the pictures, this is almost exactly what the sores looked like except just one cluster of 3 sores on my waistline
    • bob86162
      bob86162 FelizCastus

      Posted

      And took the meds about 2 months prior to my last test which was 4 months post exposure
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus bob86162

      Posted

      If this is from a cold sore, it's HSV-1, which does not require antiviral meds. Taking them daily from 2 months p.e. could have affected your test results at 4 months. Some people have enough antibodies at 2 months to turn the test positive, but some don't. You can stop the meds, which you don't really need, and retest after another month or two. Make sure it's by IgG. But since it's Type 1and not even genital, I wouldn't really worry about it.
    • bob86162
      bob86162 FelizCastus

      Posted

      So does it possibly being HSV1 explain having no recurrences at least physically? Sorry I should have clarified, I took the meds the first time I saw the doc which was about a week after the sores showed up(showed up about 3-4 weeks p.e).
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus bob86162

      Posted

      That is on the late side for first outbreak symptoms, but maybe the unusual location (also not typical for a first outbreak) has something to do with that, unless it's not herpes in the first place. But, yes, Type 1 recurs less, but then you've also been on daily meds. If you took meds from about a month p.e., then your results are more likely affected by them. I would stop the meds anyway, then retest in a couple of months, if you want to. But the IgG blood test will only confirm whether you have it or not, and if you do have it, not where exactly (besides where you noticed those lesions). Good thing is that even if genital, Type 1 rarely recurs or sheds and is not particularly infectious, unlike genital Type 2 or even oral Type 1.
    • bob86162
      bob86162 FelizCastus

      Posted

      It is unsual but thank you for the info it helped ease my mind for sure and I will just get retested to be sure. Do you mind me asking what your credentials are since you seem very knowledgable?
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus bob86162

      Posted

      Thanks, but sorry to disappoint, as I'm not a medical professional, in case that's what you were hoping for! I have herpes myself (the "worst" kind) and have read everything possible for the last while (only legit medical or scientific sources), so have become very well read on the subject. My way of coping, I guess, and I try to help out on here with what I know, as there's a lot of misinformation out there, even from doctors. And that's it. smile
    • bob86162
      bob86162 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Oh no thats okay I was just wondering. Its good to be well educated on the subject if it affects your life even in a small way. Its just weird how something so minor can have such a huge stigma attached to it and its feared in a big way, I do find the history of why that is to be fascinating I'm sure you know what that is. Isn't HSV2 almost the same as HSV1 in terms of symptoms or oytbreaks?
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus bob86162

      Posted

      Visually and in terms of outbreak progression, both types are the same. However, Type 2 is much more infectious, strongly prefers the genitals, is the true STD of the two as a result, outbreaks more frequently, and carries worse and different risks to Type 1.

      The stigma arose in the 1980s. Before then, herpes was not clinically identified as an STD. Once researchers realised that it could be passed via sex, the media reported on herpes in a negative, fear-mongering way. Zovirax was manufactured soon after and ran many commercials promoting the need for meds, which didn't help matters.

    • bob86162
      bob86162 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Hmm interesting. One more question maybe you can answer, would having a dull achy pain where the sores used to be be nerve damage or an outbreak? I have too often to be an outbreak I think
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus bob86162

      Posted

      Outbreaks have lesions, so I guess you're thinking of prodrome, the tingly, itchy period that precedes an outbreak. If you're having it often, it's not likely. Fyi, only half of all people with herpes get prodrome signs anyway. I don't. Only nerve issues I've had were minor and temporary after my first outbreak.
    • bob86162
      bob86162 FelizCastus

      Posted

      So outbreaks or even shedding don't have the symptoms of pain just lesions? Also, if the test comes back positive for hsv1 when I get retested how do I go about telling someone? Its a pretty tough thing I think
    • bob86162
      bob86162

      Posted

      Especially if you're confused about even having it, I could not live with myself if I unknowingly gave someone hsv1 or 2, could not
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus bob86162

      Posted

      An outbreak typically has lesions in some form, but can also be accompanied or preceded by other symptoms. Itching or tingling alone is not considered an outbreak per se. Could be an indication of shedding or prodrome (or nothing to do with herpes), but not technically an outbreak.

      If the test comes back positive for Type 1, you can either tell future partners that you have the cold sore virus (no need to specify where, imo) or say nothing at all. How many people even know their Type 1 status or bother to say anything, unless they get bad, frequent cold sores? Type 2 is a different matter, so you are very lucky if Type 1 is all you have, which it may not even be either!

    • bob86162
      bob86162 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Hmm this is so weird! Most people say nothing because they just dont know you're right. I'm honestly hoping its hsv1 or nothing at this point which sounds kinda mean considering some get hsv2
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus bob86162

      Posted

      Yep, I have genital Type 2 and believe me when I say that I'd *love* to have genital Type 1 instead! Lol
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