Resolved question:
Hello, I'm concerned about a sexually transmitted infection. About 4 months ago, I had unprotected sex with someone who had genital herpes. They did not inform me that they had a STI, I found out 4 months later. He told me that they were on medication and was not having an outbreak. He also said that when he felt something was coming on that he stayed away from me. I've had no breakouts of my knowledge. There is one occurrence that I do remember that scared me though. About a week or so after the last time I had sex with this person, I got sick with Tonsistlis. It's something I've always struggled with because I smoke, and I remember I could feel the sickness coming on. I had to take a strong dosage of 875.MG antibiotics. I took them twice a day and then developed a terrible red vagina area. It was so itchy/burny, and it caused the skin to crack bad. It was very painful. I've never taken antibiotics that strong before. I remember I stopped taking the antibiotics due to the pain it caused in my stomach and the nausea. I treated the crack with some monistat ointment, and I believe it healed very fast. Within 2 days or so. A few weeks later, I got sick again since I didn't finish treatment. I took the antibiotics again, and the crack happened again. I did the same thing and the cream worked. In the last 4 months, these have been the only 2 things that have happened that seem abnormal. I've been very stressed out because I lost my job, school is becoming stressful, and now I'm having to worry about all of these things. I was reading where stress is a big trigger for outbreaks as well as periods. My friend who has the STI said if I had it, it would've more than likely showed up due to my stress and lack of sleep. I called my doctor and she said that if he wasn't having an outbreak and that he was on medication, then I have a low chance. She told me that I needed to wait 6 months to get tested to ensure that I had not been exposed to the virus. I have a new partner now and am scared to death that he may catch the virus, and I don't want to scare him without the facts. Also, ever since I found out I've been experiencing tingling, and I'm constantly running to the bathroom to examine myself. I'm not sure if it's because of my mind playing games on me to make me have this feeling. I was reading online that most people with herpes don't have blisters and they hardly ever have signs except very mild ones. This is really causing stress on me. It's all I can think about these past few weeks. I went and got tested for HIV and that came back negative. Based on this information, do you think I am at high risk for the virus? Were the cuts signs of herpes? Do you think I would've had another outbreak by now? Could I be one of the people that never have symptoms?
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases(STD)Specialist
Hello,
Thank you for your medical query at DoctorSpring.com
I understand your concern.
Yes, your doctor is right. Since he did not have an outbreak at that point, and also the fact that he was on medication, reduces your chances of getting the infection from hi significantly.
However, the rash following the antibiotic use, is difficult to interpret. It could be an allergic response, could be yeast infection or could be due to herpes too.
The only way to find out before you can enjoy sex with your new partner is to get yourself tested. You can get yourself tested for HSV-1/2 IGG,IGM antibodies as they will be able to predict the status of the disease. You are not at high risk from the exposure, however, some risk is always there and it is better to rule it out completely.
Please feel free to discuss further,
Regards.
Thank you for your answer.
Is it normal to get a crack in the skin due to a bad yeast infection? And since the crack happened again after taking the antibiotics again, wouldn't you think this is a yeast infection? The cream healed the cut within a few days and it's been months since then and I've had no issue. From what I was reading, if it were herpes it would not have healed so fast just from some cream.
Yes, it can definitely be due to yeast infection.
However, I just mentioned there is only a slight possibility of herpes, and it is better you get yourself tested.
Sometimes, some people can be infected without showing any symptoms for months, and suddenly present with sores or a rash.
A test will only confirm the status and if ruled out will be good for your own mental peace too.
But in my opinion, the chance of you being positive for herpes is extremely miniscule.
Regards.
Thank you very much. I have an appointment to get tested today, and I'm very scared. I can't help but think I'll get tested positive for it. If the person lied to me about having the STI, they may have lied about having an outbreak as well so I need to do this for peace of mind. I do have one last question, does stress trigger outbreaks? I was reading where that is the most common trigger, and I've been very very stressed.
Yes stress is indeed the commonest trigger provided you have the virus circulating in your body.
Hence if you get yourself tested, it will give a conclusive result and you do not even have to be stressed.
Regards.