Ask Me Help Desk - HSV1 misdiagnosis?

In August one morning I woke up with a patch of small blisters on the right side of my stomach. Thinking it was some sort of insect bite, I ignored the lesions and they healed within a couple weeks. A few weeks later I was at my doctor for something else, and she saw the patch and identified it as a localized patch of shingles.

In Early September I was diagnosed with HSV 1. This came as a HUGE surprise to me. I have been dating my boyfriend for over a year, and he is the only person I've ever been with. He had been tested before we were sexually involved. The doctor said I likely contracted the disease through oral sex, but my boyfriend has not had a cold sore on his mouth since he was 5 years old.

It's been four months since my herpes diagnosis. I have come to accept it and am now emotionally fine. I have a constant wonder, though, that the virus was misdiagnosed. I spoke with a dermatologist who told me that genital shingles does exist. The outbreak was only on the right side of my genital area (the left was PERFECTLY normal) - shingles only appears on one side of the body. I have experienced no recurrences since the initial outbreak. I have read that culture tests could show positive for HSV1 or 2 when really what is present is the zoster virus, shingles. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, blugreen girl I'm not a doctor but I've got a few really helpful books and I've found some info on shingles and I'm going to send it your way, I'm not sure how long I have but I'll see what I can get to you now, and tomorrow I'll send more, I have about five medical dictionaries and a Human sexuality (psychological) text book that also may help. So if you already know what ever I tell you please feel free to ignore it, and let me know, so I do't repeat it.

I will however advise you to look deeper into your BFs situation, because STDs can be inactive for quit some time. Especially herpes, my cousin has it pretty bad. But he seems to get by OK, just a little more careful about things. I'd suggest a second opinion as well. Or getting tested again, if you feel that it's not what the doc diagnosed.

Any problems with your Thyroid??

THE MERCK MANUAL OF MEDICAL INFORMATION---> "SHINGLES"

Shingles is caused by the same herpervirus, varicella-zoster virus, that causes chickenpox. The initial infection with varicella-zoster virus, wich may be in the form of chicken pox, ends with the virus entering the nerces in the ganglia (a group of nerve cell bodies) of spinal or cranial nervers and remaining latent there. Shingles always is limited to the skin distribution of the nerve root(s) involved (dermatomes).

The herpes zoster virus may never cause symptoms again, or it may be reactivated many years later. Shingles occurs when the virus is reactivated. Sometimes, reativation occurs when the body's immunity is reduced by another disorder, such as AIDS or hodgkin's disease, or by drugs that impair the immune system." (Personal note: Alcohol is a rather dangerous drug, and does more damage to people that most think. so beaware of that possibility.) "Most often, the reason for reactivation is unknown. The occurrence of shingles does not usually mean that a significant disease process is underway. Shingles may occur at any age but is most common after age 50.

SYMPTOMS AND COMPLICATIONS

Some people feel unwell and have chills, a fever, nausea, diarrhea, or difficulties with urinationin the 3 or 4 days before shingles develops. Others experience pain or only a tingling sensation or itiching in the area of skin. Clusters of small fluid-filled blisters surrounded by a small red area develop." (Personal observation: As i'm sure you are aware this is likely what was on your leg.) "The blisters occupy only a limited area of skin suplied by the affected nerves. Most often, blisters appear on the trunk and usually on only one side. However a few blisters may apear elsewere as well." (Personal question: sound like this it what was happening?) "The involved area of the body is usually sensitive to any stimulus, including very light touch, and may be severely painful."

I think I'll stop there, and continue tomorrow, I hope you are OK. Take care.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nestorian

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I will however advise you to look deeper into your BFs situation, because STDs can be inactive for quit some time.

Thanks for your reply. Yes. When this happened, both my boyfriend and I got tested for everything. He told me that he has never noticed anything bothersome in his genital area.

Sorry it got cut off. He also took the Western Blot test (since you cannot do a culture if there are no lesions present). It came back positive for HSV1 and negative for HSV2. The doctor said it was likely that he had the cold sore virus on his mouth since he was a child (his mom used to get cold sores all the time). Even still, though, it just seems so unlikely for him to have transmitted it to me that way after a year together. He hasn't had a cold sore in years. And nothing has changed in our sexual habits.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blugreengirl

Thanks for your reply. Yes. When this happened, both my boyfriend and I got tested for everything. He told me that he has never noticed anything bothersome in his genital area.

Humm, interesting? Lets keep going, and if you see something that seems important let me know and I'll research it more.

"The blisters begin to dry and scab about 5 days after they apear. Until until scabbing occurs, the blisters contain herpes zoster virus, which can cause chickenpox if transmitted to susceptible persons. Blisters that cover large areas of skin or that persist for more that 2 weeks usually indicated that the imune system isn't functioning properly.

One attack of shinles usually gives a person lifelong immunity from further attacks; fewer that 4 percent of people have further attacks." (so the good news is if this is what you got, you may never see it again.) "Most people recover without any lasting effects. However, scarring of the skin, which can be extensive, may occure even if the person doesn't develop a secondary bacterial infection. Involvment of the branch of the facial nerve to the eye can be quite serious."

K, I'm on the Diagnosis part, but I did some reading and found another better more likely explanation of your situation. I'm not a doctor and my books can be a bit hard to understand, but I'll give you what I find so you can judge for yourself.

"HERPERVIRUS INFECTIONS"

"The two main typss of herpesvirus that cause infections involving blisters on the skin are herpes simplex and herpes zoster. Another herpesvirus, epstien-barr virus, causes infectious mononucleosis. Cytomegalovirus, another of the herpesviruses, can produce and illness indistinguisable from infectious mononucleosis. A more recently identified herpesvirus (herpesvirus 6) causes a childhood illness known as Roseola infantum. Human herpesvirus 7 has not been definately linked with any illness at this time. In some cases herpesvirus 8 has been interpreted to be the cause of kaposi's sarcoma in people with AIDS."

(Pay close attention to this part!!)

"HERPES SIMPLEX"

"Herpes simplex infection produces recurring episodes of small, painful, fluid-filled blisters on the skin or mucous membranes.
Herpes simplex produces an eruption on the skin or mucous membranes. The eruption subsides, although the virous remains in the inactive (latent) state insidethe ganglia (a group of nerve cell boddies that supply the sensory nerves to the infected area. Periodically, the virusis reativated and begins replicating, often causing skin eruptions of blisters in the same location as the earlier infection. However, The viruse may be present in the skin without causing an obvious blister; the virus in this state can serve as a source for infection other people. Eruptions may be triggered by overexposure to sunlight, a fever, physical or emotional stress, suppression of the immune system, or certain foods and drugs, but often the inciting factors are unknown.
The two types of herpes simplex virus that infect the skin are HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is th usual cause of cold sores on the lips (herpes labialis) and sores on the cornea of the eye (herpes simplex keratitis); it is usually transmitted by contact with secretions from or around the mouth. HSV-2 Usaully causes genatal herpes and is transmitted primarily by direct contact with teh sores, most often during sexual contact."

Ok I'm going to stop there and look at what oyu wrote so I can double check some stuff. Oh and sorry about the run around and ton of info you already know, but I figure it better you know how it fits. K talk to you in a min.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blugreengirl

He also took the Western Blot test (since you cannot do a culture if there are no lesions present). It came back positive for HSV1 and negative for HSV2. The doctor said it was likely that he had the cold sore virus on his mouth since he was a child (his mom used to get cold sores all the time). Even still, though, it just seems so unlikely for him to have transmitted it to me that way after a year together. He hasn't had a cold sore in years. And nothing has changed in our sexual habits.

So from what I wrote up there it says, that HSV-1, can disappear and from what I've heard for years and years, however, it is not really gone, it's still there on his skin just waiting. And so you got it from his mouth, and that's how you got shingles, and more than likely the Vagianal out break. I'm just guessing though, so if you want me to keep going and finnish the symptoms of Herpes I'll be glad to do so, but I think for now you have about as much as you can handle with out going cross eyed, I know I am. But yes it seems that you may have HSV-1, wich inturn is causing shingles. At least that is my guess. Take care sister, I'll be here if you have any more questions, or inquiries of any sort. Peace be with you.