jw352
12-07-2008, 04:27 AM
When I was 14 years old, I developed a cluster of painful and itchy blisters near my vaginal area. My parents had no idea what was happening to me and by the time they took me to a doctor to get a culture, the cluster had already popped and begun to scab over so the culture couldn't determine anything.
I was completely baffled as to how I got herpes considering I had never had any sexual contact with anyone. I hadn't even had my first kiss! I was told sometimes you can have Herpes if you have had Shingles because the virus strand is the same or something. I'm not entirely sure if that's true or the right information but I have had Shingles, still have the scars to prove it.
Anyway, that was when I was 14. I am now 22 and terrified because I believe I am having another out break. For the past 6 months I have had a lot of irritation in my vaginal area. If it got extreme I would treat it for a yeast infection and if I could handle the itching I wouldn't do anything. A month ago I went to my gyno and she said she didn't see anything unusual. I was not able to get a culture because they are very expensive and I do not have insurance. I asked her if I have ever been tested for Herpes and she responded that she never checked that when I asked to be tested for STDs because there was already evidence that I did. (I thought that was quite ignorant of her but nothing I can do now.)
I'm sorry for making this long but this is my question. I have been especially itchy today and noticed that there is an area near my vagina where the skin is raised. They don't look like blisters or a cluster (at least not yet) but they are sore but so is my entire vagina.
I took a shower and I don't feel as itchy or itchy at all anymore.
Is it possible that I had a cut and my vaginal discharge irritated it?
The skin around my vagina has become quite sensitive and thin this past year and my discharge has become stronger.
*By the way, I am sexually active and have had sex within this past week but before that it had been a month since the last time I had sex.
I was completely baffled as to how I got herpes considering I had never had any sexual contact with anyone. I hadn't even had my first kiss! I was told sometimes you can have Herpes if you have had Shingles because the virus strand is the same or something. I'm not entirely sure if that's true or the right information but I have had Shingles, still have the scars to prove it.
Anyway, that was when I was 14. I am now 22 and terrified because I believe I am having another out break. For the past 6 months I have had a lot of irritation in my vaginal area. If it got extreme I would treat it for a yeast infection and if I could handle the itching I wouldn't do anything. A month ago I went to my gyno and she said she didn't see anything unusual. I was not able to get a culture because they are very expensive and I do not have insurance. I asked her if I have ever been tested for Herpes and she responded that she never checked that when I asked to be tested for STDs because there was already evidence that I did. (I thought that was quite ignorant of her but nothing I can do now.)
I'm sorry for making this long but this is my question. I have been especially itchy today and noticed that there is an area near my vagina where the skin is raised. They don't look like blisters or a cluster (at least not yet) but they are sore but so is my entire vagina.
I took a shower and I don't feel as itchy or itchy at all anymore.
Is it possible that I had a cut and my vaginal discharge irritated it?
The skin around my vagina has become quite sensitive and thin this past year and my discharge has become stronger.
*By the way, I am sexually active and have had sex within this past week but before that it had been a month since the last time I had sex.
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lostandbroken
12-07-2008, 01:28 PM
It is almost impossible for any of us to diagnose you just from symptoms. None of us are trained professionals, so our advice may be interesting but is not going to be a surefire determination. The only way to really know if what you're experiencing is herpes, is to go to a health clinic and ask for a herpes blood test. If you've had it since you were 14, itll show up.
jw352
12-07-2008, 06:43 PM
Okay well I have some new information.
The raised skin that formed yesterday has already begun to scab.
Since I've only had one outbreak before, I'm not very knowledgable about how long it takes a cluster to heal but I'm pretty sure it doesn't come and go within 24 hours.
I'm thinking it probably was a cut but to be sure, how long should I wait to have sex again? (protected sex of course)
The raised skin that formed yesterday has already begun to scab.
Since I've only had one outbreak before, I'm not very knowledgable about how long it takes a cluster to heal but I'm pretty sure it doesn't come and go within 24 hours.
I'm thinking it probably was a cut but to be sure, how long should I wait to have sex again? (protected sex of course)
lostandbroken
12-08-2008, 12:23 AM
I would wait until there is absolutely no sign of the bump. I would also get tested, just to be sure. You can still pass herpes when you are having no signs, and you can still pass it using a condom. Better safe than sorry!
clarke51
12-08-2008, 03:36 PM
When I was 14 years old, I developed a cluster of painful and itchy blisters near my vaginal area. My parents had no idea what was happening to me and by the time they took me to a doctor to get a culture, the cluster had already popped and begun to scab over so the culture couldn't determine anything.
I was completely baffled as to how I got herpes considering I had never had any sexual contact with anyone. I hadn't even had my first kiss! I was told sometimes you can have Herpes if you have had Shingles because the virus strand is the same or something. I'm not entirely sure if that's true or the right information but I have had Shingles, still have the scars to prove it.
Anyway, that was when I was 14. I am now 22 and terrified because I believe I am having another out break. For the past 6 months I have had a lot of irritation in my vaginal area. If it got extreme I would treat it for a yeast infection and if I could handle the itching I wouldn't do anything. A month ago I went to my gyno and she said she didn't see anything unusual. I was not able to get a culture because they are very expensive and I do not have insurance. I asked her if I have ever been tested for Herpes and she responded that she never checked that when I asked to be tested for STDs because there was already evidence that I did. (I thought that was quite ignorant of her but nothing I can do now.)
I'm sorry for making this long but this is my question. I have been especially itchy today and noticed that there is an area near my vagina where the skin is raised. They don't look like blisters or a cluster (at least not yet) but they are sore but so is my entire vagina.
I took a shower and I don't feel as itchy or itchy at all anymore.
Is it possible that I had a cut and my vaginal discharge irritated it?
The skin around my vagina has become quite sensitive and thin this past year and my discharge has become stronger.
*By the way, I am sexually active and have had sex within this past week but before that it had been a month since the last time I had sex.
hi a blood test will only tell you if you have ever been exposed to the herpes virus it will not tell you if what you are experiancing now is herpes you will need to see your dr when you have a soar or blister and have it swabed
I was completely baffled as to how I got herpes considering I had never had any sexual contact with anyone. I hadn't even had my first kiss! I was told sometimes you can have Herpes if you have had Shingles because the virus strand is the same or something. I'm not entirely sure if that's true or the right information but I have had Shingles, still have the scars to prove it.
Anyway, that was when I was 14. I am now 22 and terrified because I believe I am having another out break. For the past 6 months I have had a lot of irritation in my vaginal area. If it got extreme I would treat it for a yeast infection and if I could handle the itching I wouldn't do anything. A month ago I went to my gyno and she said she didn't see anything unusual. I was not able to get a culture because they are very expensive and I do not have insurance. I asked her if I have ever been tested for Herpes and she responded that she never checked that when I asked to be tested for STDs because there was already evidence that I did. (I thought that was quite ignorant of her but nothing I can do now.)
I'm sorry for making this long but this is my question. I have been especially itchy today and noticed that there is an area near my vagina where the skin is raised. They don't look like blisters or a cluster (at least not yet) but they are sore but so is my entire vagina.
I took a shower and I don't feel as itchy or itchy at all anymore.
Is it possible that I had a cut and my vaginal discharge irritated it?
The skin around my vagina has become quite sensitive and thin this past year and my discharge has become stronger.
*By the way, I am sexually active and have had sex within this past week but before that it had been a month since the last time I had sex.
hi a blood test will only tell you if you have ever been exposed to the herpes virus it will not tell you if what you are experiancing now is herpes you will need to see your dr when you have a soar or blister and have it swabed
Oceanus
12-08-2008, 07:27 PM
I would be very curious if I were you as to how you got infected with herpes when you were just 14 yo and as you say never even been kissed. Shingles does not become herpes. Although they are related biologically speaking, these are two entirely different viruses. Shingles is what people may develop later in their life, usually older people with compromised immune systems get, after one has had chicken pox. Usually children get chicken pox, then the symptoms clear up and the virus hides in the nervous system and may eventually emerge as shingles. Genital herpes is either type 1 or type 2 (not shingles or chicken pox). Were you ever molested as a child possibly and not even remember it???
Herpes is contracted via skin to skin contact. There does not need to be intercourse involved. And be VERY careful not passing it on to others. I got herpes by having sex just ONCE while using a condom! Do not take what you have lightly and simply forget about it just because your symptoms go away. You are lucky that this is only your 2nd OB ever, but many people are not so lucky. This can be a very devastating disease to MANY people.
If you don't have health insurance simply go to Planned Parenthood and get a reduced rate visit based on your earned income. Some of them will do that. You should get a herpes Select type specific blood test. This test will also tell you what type you have, type 1 or 2 or both. You should also get tested for all STDs while you're at it.
Herpes is contracted via skin to skin contact. There does not need to be intercourse involved. And be VERY careful not passing it on to others. I got herpes by having sex just ONCE while using a condom! Do not take what you have lightly and simply forget about it just because your symptoms go away. You are lucky that this is only your 2nd OB ever, but many people are not so lucky. This can be a very devastating disease to MANY people.
If you don't have health insurance simply go to Planned Parenthood and get a reduced rate visit based on your earned income. Some of them will do that. You should get a herpes Select type specific blood test. This test will also tell you what type you have, type 1 or 2 or both. You should also get tested for all STDs while you're at it.
clarke51
12-09-2008, 10:49 PM
please don't run out and get a blood test the blood test will tell you if you have ever been exposed to herpes but it won't tell you that what you have is herpes you have to get the soar or blister swabed and test thats the only way you will know if that soar is herpes
lostandbroken
12-10-2008, 02:22 AM
Not completely true. HSV1 commonly shows up in blood tests from childhood cold sores, but HSV2 does not. A herpes select test that shows levels for each would be the best choice besides getting swabbed. It is rare to contract HSV2 from childhood. HSV2 most commonly comes with genital sores.
jw352
12-10-2008, 05:56 AM
I was indeed molested when I was a child and thankfully I don't remember it.
My doctor found evidence that I was being sexually abused when I was 5 yo.
[I asked my now-mother once what type of evidence he found but she wouldn't say anything.]
I believe all he did was confront my then-parents about it, I don't think there's any medical record because of the delicate circumstances (my then-father was a well known physician in the area.)
I was placed up for adoption again (I was adopted at birth as well) and adopted by the family I have now.
My mother is aware of my past which is one of the reasons why she adopted me.
I'll ask her if she has any records or if she could find them for me.
My doctor found evidence that I was being sexually abused when I was 5 yo.
[I asked my now-mother once what type of evidence he found but she wouldn't say anything.]
I believe all he did was confront my then-parents about it, I don't think there's any medical record because of the delicate circumstances (my then-father was a well known physician in the area.)
I was placed up for adoption again (I was adopted at birth as well) and adopted by the family I have now.
My mother is aware of my past which is one of the reasons why she adopted me.
I'll ask her if she has any records or if she could find them for me.