Resolved question:
A few weeks ago I had sex quite a few times and there were occasions I was dry and the sex was frequent. I was extremely sore. I also developed a bacterial infection and when I checked the next day I noticed the base of my vagina was swollen and my discharge smelled bad. I went to the dr. And they diagnosed me with a bacterial UTI. When I went home this was perhaps a day or two after the sex and I noticed a cut not on my perineum but a little above it, on the edge of the entrance. It looked like a little cut/gash. I was kind of worried because I checked the area the day after sex and hadn't noticed it then, so I freaked out and immediately thought herpes. It didn't hurt and simply looked like a tiny gash. I am concerned because I usually get shallow perineum cuts after sex that heal in about 2 days. This however took about 4-5 days to heal and was closer to the softer tissue on the edge of the entrance. It didn't hurt only when I went to the restroom and urine got on it. I'm not sure if bacterial vaginosis combined with the trauma from sex contributed to the cut/gash. I finished my antibiotics and both the goopy smelly discharge and cut dissapeared. It was a clean cut where you could sort of see the white flesh underneath. I checked my groin nodes and they were not swollen during the presence of this cut.
I know some people get herpes in the form of papercuts instead of classical blisters. Does this sound consistent with a first time outbreak of herpes?
Also people always talk about having antibodies to type 1 from coldsores mitigating or lessening symptoms of a
subsequent contraction with type 2.
How does having type 1 orally lessen the symptoms of contracting type 2 genitally? Are they still relatively recognizable?
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases(STD)Specialist
Hello.
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I understand your concern.
Yes you're right, in certain cases herpes does appear to be like tiny papercuts, and not the usual rash and sores. But from your description, it does not seem to be herpes, rather it seems to be trauma inflicted from sex. Since you also picked up an UTI of sorts, it only made it difficult to heal properly. Such tears are common after rough sex. 2 things go against herpes here. Firstly you said that you noticed the cut within a day.Normally herpes rash/sores/cuts take at least 1 week to appear unless you're severely immunocompromised.
Secondly, the paper cuts when it appears in the form of herpes, will be numerous all over the genitalia and extremely painful . Also adding to it, the chances of getting papercuts as herpes, is again very very low.
So considering all these factors, it definitely does not seem like herpes.
Now to answer your second question. Yes this is definitely something some doctors and researchers say. It could be because HSV-1 which mostly produces oral sores, is more common than HSV-2, and people also show symptoms more frequently. So once you get HSV-1 which is more common, you develop some antibodies to the herpes virus and hence if you get coinfected with HSV-2 it offers slight protection. But theoretically they are 2 different viruses, and can co exist in the same individual at a given point of time. They also share 50 % of their DNA, and this could also contribute to the protection you were talking about.
Hope this was helpful,
Regards.
Considering this exposure would you recommend further testing? As a rule of thumb how should I distinguish between herpes and other minor genital irritations. Any time is see anything minor down there I conclude that it's genital herpes. Any recommendations?
And finally what's the most common duration of the first outbreak?
I have extreme anxiety regarding herpes and have over tested in the past at the smallest minor irritation. I just don't understand how people can overlook it. Do you think with my general knowledge of this virus I would be able to recognize a true outbreak? I know what they're suppose to look like but I'm always afraid to miss something and freak out when minor irritations happen thing long that it's perhaps a mild outbreak.
Thank you.
Hello,
As of now further testing is not required.
You can wait for a week and let me know about the cuts, whether they are healing.
As a rule of thumb, remember other minor cuts or abrasions won't be painful and they will be localised. Herpes sores are very painful and they appear in clusters in various spots, involving the area between the vagina and the anus. I can understand your anxiety because herpes is a viral disease and there is no such cure, however as of now i will request you not to worry about herpes.
With your knowledge, you can identify if you ever develop herpes in the future, because s rash combined with painful sores which appear in clusters can be easily identified. There is nothing like a minor outbreak. The first outbreak will always be painful, almost necessitating medical attention right away.
So i agree with you all your anxiety is justified, but please do not worry this time. Just wait for 7 days and let me know about the cuts and their healing status.
Hope this was helpful,
Regards.