I am reaching out regarding some recent symptoms I am showing that have me wondering about HSV symptoms. Between end of august through mid September I had three encounters with the same person (first was protected the rest were not). To his knowledge the person does not have any STIs and did not have any past diagnosis. During my last two menstrual cycles I have been experiencing pain on the left side of my vagina. No sores or other symptoms  - almost feels like a muscle pain. I was coincidentally recently diagnosed with fibroids and ovarian cysts however this type of discomfort  wasn’t described as a possible symptom by my doctor.

My question is have you ever seen patients with these symptoms being associated with genital HSV?

If a patient came to you with these symptoms would you recommend an HSV antibody test? I’ve read online about these tests and the guidelines for testing and reasons for not including them in routine screenings and I am on the fence whether this scenario would warrant asking for one.

I will be returning to my doctor for a follow up on my fibroid and cyst condition end of November. If you would recommend an HSV antibody test, would this be a sufficient timeline to pick up on any new infections?

Given the timeline of my past encounter, are there other symptoms I should be looking out for?

Thank you in advance!

My question is have you ever seen patients with these symptoms being associated with genital HSV?

You've looked, and you see no sores, correct?  Then, herpes seems an unlikely cause of the pain.

If a patient came to you with these symptoms, would you recommend an HSV antibody test? I’ve read online about these tests and the guidelines for testing and reasons for not including them in routine screenings and I am on the fence whether this scenario would warrant asking for one.

The reason we no longer recommend this test for screening for herpes is the high rate of false positives on the IgG test.  you could certainly get a herpes western blot, the gold standard, with no concerns about false positives.

I will be returning to my doctor for a follow-up on my fibroid and cyst condition end of November. If you would recommend an HSV antibody test, would this be a sufficient timeline to pick up on any new infections?

The UW western blot requests you wait 12 weeks from any unprotected intercourse if the partner has not been tested and is known to be negative.

Given the timeline of my past encounter, are there other symptoms I should be looking out for?

YOu always want to look out for sores anywhere in the boxer shorts area.  Any sore should be swab tested for herpes.

You could also do the IgG test but if positive and you have no sores consistent with herpes, you will need to do the western blot for confirmation but if the IGG is negative, you don't really need further testing.

Terri

Some additional details based on my most recent experience during my menstrual cycle. The pain on the left side of my vulva started on the second day of my period and lasted through the fourth day with no visible sores appearing. I’m now at day six of my period and this pain has subsided. 

How likely would for a sore to appear in that area at this stage and after the pain subsiding?

Are there other STI’s that may present such symptoms?

If this were to be my initial infection, where would the sores be more likely to appear?

With my above question, I know this would be my second follow up and appreciate all your feedback thus far! Thank you again for your insight and the community support!

If the person is infected but asymptomatic, transmission can still occur

I can't honestly think of another STI that would cause this pain, no.  But with no sores, I'm not at all clear that it would be herpes either.  I'm afraid you'll need to wait for antibody testing.

Terri

Thank you again!

Terri