Is this herpes?

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Last May I started getting recurrent thrush then in September I came down with the flu and a cold and noticed under the skin lumps either side of the opening of my vagina, the next day I went to visit my GP. At first look my GP told me I had cysts (which I had looked up and looked a lot more like my symptoms than herpes) but then when she heard I had flu symptoms suggested it may be herpes but said it didnt look like it and was strange as the last time I had sex was a month before that but she referred me to a sexual health place anyways. A few days later at my appointment the lumps were almost gone after me using hot water and salt on them but they swabbed anyways and the test came back negative for herpes but the nurse gave me antiviral tablets to keep in case of another 'outbreak'. The thrush symptoms continued no matter what I tried, I had itching almost all the time but then I started getting painful down there on the left side in January like a stinging sensation almost as if the skin is cracked and an aching sensation just inside my inner labia after being touched but when i checked with a mirror I could not see anything. The pain has been almost every day since January except maybe one or two days that I didn't notice it as much. I have been to a different doctor and back to the sexual health place but neither of them could see anything but gave me a full screening even though I haven't had sex since last year. Everything came back negative though I am not positive they tested for herpes even though they knew about my previous 'outbreak'. I have been looking up so much since the first 'outbreak' and I am starting to wonder if the itching and stinging is all in my head as the doctors and I can't see anything. If anyone has any opinions on if this is herpes or not please let me know.

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4 Replies

  • Posted

    I forgot to add that when I got the under the skin lumps they weren't really painful just more uncomfortable as I could feel them there all the time as they were swollen and when I looked in the mirror I couldnt see much it just looked a bit swollen but if i felt the skin I could feel the lump under the skin like a pea under the skin. 
  • Posted

    That does not sound like herpes. Herpes does not cause constant symptoms for so long, plus you tested negative more than once.
    • Posted

      The first time I was tested the symptoms were almost gone and at the two other sexual health screenings I am not sure if they tested for herpes as they could not see anything on the skin although I could feel it. 
    • Posted

      You should ask what they tested you for and by which test method/type. If they can do a pcr swab for herpes, then they can do an internal swab while you have itching/stinging, and if it is herpes related, it would likely show up, but not necessarily by viral culture swab. However, you mentioned a bump under the skin, and herpes occurs on the surface, so I don't think you have herpes.

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