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Please help...is it herpes?

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DS77
DS77

2 wks ago I had a procedure that required using iodine, which I'm highly allergic to. Despite being pre-medicated & an IV w benadry, I had a severe reaction that required me to spend the day being monitored with benadryl given hourly. I had hives all over from the reaction. I was put on Prednisone & an antibiotic. 2 days later I had a few larger red circles that itched. They lasted a few hours. Then disappeared. I noticed a sore on my buttocks. It hurt, but I thought it was prob where the iodine touched my skin. After being given more antibiotics, applying antibiotic ointment & keeping the area covered, it got worse. It had a few blisters around it, but didn't hurt or itch. I went to the doctor bc I was afraid of infection. He took a look at it & said it was hard to tell, but it was infected & did have some characteristics of being 'herpetic'. I flipped out. A swab was taken to test for herpes & another to test for a bacterial infection. He put me on meds to cover both possibilities. Bactrim for a bacterial infection & Valtrex for herpes. I was instructed not to use any ointment on the spot, just to keep it dry & covered. I'm on my 4th day of antibiotics. The only change in the sore is that it has turned a grayish color. I have no other sores anywhere except the few tiny bumps on my chest left from the allergic reaction, no swelling in my private parts & no burning when I urinate. I'm really wondering if this is herpes. I've only had sex with 2 people in my life. One partner for 15 years & another for 3 years. It would seem odd to have herpes as I know both are clean & the relationships were monogamous. I called my significant other when the doctor told me what he suspected it was. I was terrified that our wedding would be called off. After talking, I was relieved that all was ok in our relationship. I get the bloodwork results tomorrow & the swab results later in the week. I'm completely freaking out. After using the powers of Google, I learned that people with Menengitis can carry the virus. Also Group B Strep can cause it. I get tested for STDs every year as part of my wellness exam. I've had numerous female surgeries & also had genetic testing to check for any illnesses or other issues that could be the cause of infertility. All of my test have come back negative every time. How likely is it that this is herpes caused from a STD? Or herpes at all? It doesn't sound like it is from other stories that I've read. Any help would be appreciated.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • FelizCastus
    FelizCastus DS77

    Posted

    Your situation is too complicated to know whether it's still part of your allergic reaction. Best thing is to wait for the swab results. Herpes can be triggered by illness/surgery, however, and no partner is "clean" unless they have had the IgG (not IgM) or Western Blot test to prove it. Many people assume no symptoms means they're clean, but that is not the case with herpes. Not sure how you know your two partners are clean, so just saying. Herpes can cause a mild, self-resolving form of meningitis, yes, but strep does not cause herpes (completely unrelated pathogen).
    • DS77
      DS77 FelizCastus

      Posted

      My first partner was a virgin, as was I. We were in a monogamous relationship for 15 yrs & due to a heart issue, he was tested for STDs every year, as they could have complicated the heart condition. He was negative every single year & is still negative to this day. He was kind enough to email me the copy of his results from this year. My 2nd partner had the same testing I had due to infertility treatments, at which time he was tested, as I was, for any STDs. He was negative for all STDs. The only thing they found in his bloodwork was that he carries Lupus. Nothing related to any STD. So both of these men were proven not to have any problems.

      I actually had Meningitis 2 months ago. I spent 2 weeks in ICU bc I have a weak immune system, which ironically is from contracting spinal Meningitis as an infant. I spent 4 months in the hospital then & due to blood transfusions in the early 80s not being screened like they are today, I had to have an HIV test every 6 months for the first 25 years of my life. If I do end up having it, I'm wondering if it was due to one of the many blood transfusions I received 29 years ago that weren't tested for all the things they are now. It could have been the perfect storm so to speak when I had the allergic reaction, was being treated for an upper respiratory infection, had a weak immune system from being ill, not sleeping or eating due to illness & have been under a lot of stress with a death in my family & my mother's diagnosis of leukemia. All of those happening at once could have caused an outbreak, though I wouldn't call one sore an outbreak. I've read that just one of the things I mentioned could cause an outbreak. It would be my luck to have everything happen at one time.

    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus DS77

      Posted

      Herpes is very, very rarely found in blood, only antibodies, so you are not likely to have contracted herpes from blood transfusions. Were your two partners tested for both herpes types? Could well be that what you have is also not herpes. If it is, and you have it in the boxer shorts region, you could only have gotten it through oral sex (usually Type 1) or genital to genital contact (usually Type 2).
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus

      Posted

      Have you ever been tested for herpes IgG antibodies? Forget IgM, only IgG. If not, you can do that for both types and it should tell you if you carry either or both viruses. IgG antibodies are for life and are indicative of past infection (not exposure).
    • DS77
      DS77 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Thank you for all of the help. After being completely depressed & confused for a week, my results came back. The antibody tests for type 1 & 2 were negative, as was the swab. The swab was positive for bacteria, which they believe to be from my reaction. I'll continue on Bactrim for another week, but no more Valtrex. I've been a wreck, I ended up running fever & had a sore throat so I was sure that meant the worst bc Google shows those things as symptoms. I was so upset that I haven't been eating or sleeping. I did have the only two partners I've had get tested as well for my peace of mind. The first had already been tested in January as is done yearly & was negative then & now. The second was negative last year & is negative now. So I think that means I can put this behind me. I don't know how people who get a positive results cope. It's truly scary to have no control & agonizing over the wait. I wish all those who are positive the very best. To those waiting for results, I suggest not obsessing over everything on the internet. It's better to get counseled by your physician, who can actually evaluate you & as in my situation, take all things into account before jumping to a diagnosis based solely on the appearance of a sore.
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus DS77

      Posted

      I'm glad you tested negative! Yes, I agree that waiting for results can be stressful, also excessive Googling, but I think I'm immune to the latter now, lol. Herpes can be tricky to diagnose at times, so it's good you had the various tests done as confirmation, plus checking your two partners. That's thorough!
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