Genital Herpes: Useful info for those looking for answers like me!

I'm glad you found the info here useful! If steroid cream made it get better and not worse, then it seems unlikely to be herpes, as steroid creams would normally worsen it.

Thank you for your response. I have attached some pictures as I would really like to know whether you think it looks like Herpes? 

There are so many reasons I'm confident its not i.e. no associated symptoms, no pain, it would have been dormat for a very long time, its unilteral which I read is rare for a first ob, on my thigh etc etc. But then I'll see an image that remotely resembles what I have and I begin panicking again, plus it did seem to follow the 'textbook' lifecycle - rash, lesions, scabs. I'll be visiting a doctor for a blood test too but waiting times are quite long to be seen where I am so hoping you can help in the meantime. 

Thanks so much! 

I agree with you. It *sounds* less like herpes, yet certainly *looks* like herpes, especially the ulcerative and scabbing stages. Most odd! That's a shame you couldn't get it swabbed. You'll just have to wait to do the blood test (IgG, not IgM), but even if it turns up positive for HSV1, you won't know for sure if that's what it was, since the blood test does not indicate location and you could have it orally (with or without symptoms). HSV2 can be assumed to be genital, however. The HSV IgG test has a 3 month window, fyi. If herpes, when was the last possible chance you could have caught it?

The last time I could possibly have caught it would have been March of last year, so about ten months ago. I'm very vigilant with checking myself for things so am positive I would've noticed an initial outbreak, regardless of how minor it may have been. I consulted two further doctors online, both of which said it looks like a minor case of Shingles. Though not common in this area I know it is possible. What are your thoughts? If you were me, would you definitely be thinking HSV2 at this point? Sorry for all the questions, going to the dr Tuesday and will request a test.

It could be shingles, but very mild and not the typical location as noted, so still not within the norm whichever way you look at it! Best thing is to hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst. If the last possible opportunity to have acquired herpes was ten months ago, then the IgG test now is fine. Let me know how it goes with the test, as your situation is interesting. Good luck!

Hi, I just wanted to give you an update.

I went for a swab test (the lesions were healing but I needed to go and get contraception so thought I may as well!). It came back negative, not too surprised as I was well outside the recommended window.

I followed it up with an IGG blood test and got my results back today - negative for both types of antibodies. I'm relieved to say the least. Having said that, in these last few weeks I was coming to terms with the fact i might have HSV and this forum has taught me so much. So thank you for that, and I will do my best to spread the word and reduce the stigma going forwards.

That's good news! So, I wonder if it was indeed atypical shingles. In any case, at least it's not herpes! Thanks for the update. 👍

Usually, first outbreaks do indeed occur soon after infection, but there are some who don't get their first outbreak until years later. Was her genital outbreak swabbed and confirmed to be HSV2? Do you know her IgG scores?

Even if she had it for years, as is possible, it is equally possible for you to have never caught it. Herpes is very random and each time you have sex with a carrier, it's like playing Russian roulette but with far better odds, as various things need to occur for infection to take place. There is a chance you are also somehow resistant. Hard to say.

So, it is a difficult situation to work out in your case. If she tested positive by IgG at the same time as (or soon after) her outbreak, then it is an existing infection by a minimum of 2-3 months to a maximum of X years. Not very helpful, I know.

Thanks Felis! We are getting her test results tomorrow. What do the igg scores mean if they are high or low?

A high score is more often associated with a recent (3+ month) or established infection. A low score could be sign of a very new infection or even false, especially if not confirmed by swab and if she has pre-existing HSV1 (wherever located). Was she swabbed and did that come back positive for HSV2, or was it only a visual diagnosis?

Felis, she keeps procrastinating on getting the results. She can't understand why I want to see the results when she told me. My results are 3.9 for Herpes 1 IgG with no symptoms and .2 for Herpes 2 igG.

If herpes, it would likely have been sore/tender to the touch. Did it hurt and ulcerate? If not, it could be something else, like an infected follicle or skin irritation from shaving. Did you have the bump swabbed or were you blood tested?

Yes they have swabbed it so just awaiting the results, I'm beside myself with worry and preparing for the worst news if I'm honest. It's not sore and didn't hurt when they swabbed me and it's gone and cleared up now.

At least you had the right test done. If it didn't feel sore and cleared up quickly, then that doesn't sound like a typical first outbreak of herpes at all. Could well be something else.