Am I having an outbreak? - Herpes Message Board

jw352 · 12-07-2008, 01:27 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.

lostandbroken · 12-07-2008, 10:28 AM

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, 03:43 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)

lostandbroken · 12-07-2008, 09:23 PM

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, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jw352

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