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Suggest Remedy For Redness And Pain In Vaginal Area After A Cut
Question: Hi. I recently cut myself shaving the vagina area. 1 day later I felt irritated. I looked down there and notice a few bumps and there was redness and pain. I went to a convenient care. The NP insisted it looked like herpes, she took a swab and prescribed antibiotics for follicitis just in case. Apparently the swab came back positive for herpes, I'm devastated. Could I be misdiagnosed? Could it possibly be razor burn Please help.
Brief Answer:
Yes,it could be a herpes infection considering your swab test.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,
I have gone through the details.
With the given description,yes it could be herpes infection or may be folliculitis due to your razor burn.
Genital herpes is spread through sexual transmission specially through unprotected intercourse and when the person who has multiple sex partners.
In case when the person is having single partner,there can also be a chance of herpes infection as it is a viral infection and 80% people can have herpes without having any clinical symptoms.These viruses remain dormant in nerves for years together and one can get recurrence of infection which could be mild and unnoticeable.
You can go for repeat swab test if you have any doubt in your mind regarding misdiagnosis.
However a dermatologist can diagnose herpes with just single look at the lesion,so you must consult him for clinical examination to make sure if it is herpes or not.You should not rely on the examination of nurse.
Meanwhile,
1) You can avoid friction or irritation.
2) Clean the area with warm water twice daily and apply topical antibiotic cream like mupirocin twice daily.
3) Always wear loose cotton inner wears and do not trim the hair too short.
4) If repeat swab test also comes positive then you should start treatment with antiviral drugs like acyclovir or valacyclovir for which you can consult your GP,if takes longer time for appointment with dermatologist who will know about the drugs and can prescribe you as this drugs are prescription drugs.
Hope I my answer will help you.Feel free to ask if there is any query,
Thank you and Regards,
Dr.Sandipkabra
Yes,it could be a herpes infection considering your swab test.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,
I have gone through the details.
With the given description,yes it could be herpes infection or may be folliculitis due to your razor burn.
Genital herpes is spread through sexual transmission specially through unprotected intercourse and when the person who has multiple sex partners.
In case when the person is having single partner,there can also be a chance of herpes infection as it is a viral infection and 80% people can have herpes without having any clinical symptoms.These viruses remain dormant in nerves for years together and one can get recurrence of infection which could be mild and unnoticeable.
You can go for repeat swab test if you have any doubt in your mind regarding misdiagnosis.
However a dermatologist can diagnose herpes with just single look at the lesion,so you must consult him for clinical examination to make sure if it is herpes or not.You should not rely on the examination of nurse.
Meanwhile,
1) You can avoid friction or irritation.
2) Clean the area with warm water twice daily and apply topical antibiotic cream like mupirocin twice daily.
3) Always wear loose cotton inner wears and do not trim the hair too short.
4) If repeat swab test also comes positive then you should start treatment with antiviral drugs like acyclovir or valacyclovir for which you can consult your GP,if takes longer time for appointment with dermatologist who will know about the drugs and can prescribe you as this drugs are prescription drugs.
Hope I my answer will help you.Feel free to ask if there is any query,
Thank you and Regards,
Dr.Sandipkabra
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
When I became pregnant 4 years ago would I have been tested for herpes as a precaution to protect the unborn child?
Brief Answer:
you can track the history from the respective hospital.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for follow-up.
If someone gets genital herpes during pregnancy, there’s a small risk of complications, depending on whether she had genital herpes attacks before, and what stage of pregnancy she is.
If she gets herpes before becoming pregnant – the risk to the baby is very low, because of antibodies to the virus, which will protect the unborn baby.
If she gets herpes during early or late pregnancy- there is a further increased risk of passing on the infection to the baby.
generally,herpes is not tested before or during pregnancy but you can track the history from the respective hospital from where you have take antenatal treatment.
Regards,
you can track the history from the respective hospital.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for follow-up.
If someone gets genital herpes during pregnancy, there’s a small risk of complications, depending on whether she had genital herpes attacks before, and what stage of pregnancy she is.
If she gets herpes before becoming pregnant – the risk to the baby is very low, because of antibodies to the virus, which will protect the unborn baby.
If she gets herpes during early or late pregnancy- there is a further increased risk of passing on the infection to the baby.
generally,herpes is not tested before or during pregnancy but you can track the history from the respective hospital from where you have take antenatal treatment.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Sorry for all the questions. I had chickenpox as a child. So would I be a carrier of the herpes virus because of that?
Brief Answer:
Chickenpox is one form of a Herpes Virus.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the follow-up,
Yes,chickenpox is one form of a Herpes Virus and it is caused by a Herpes virus called Varicella. It can also be called Varicella-Zoster or Human Herpes Virus-3.
Most of us are familiar with the 2 sexually transmitted types of Herpes:
Type 1 (oral herpes) and
type 2 (genital herpes).
Your case could be of herpes simplex virus ( HSV type-2 which causes genital herpes) which is not caused by varicella virus.
Now,this Varicella Virus can lay dormant in the nerve roots and then cause the Zoster virus (shingles) later in life. This later infection can also be called the Herpes Zoster Virus.
Most of the genital herpes is HSV type-2 (which swab test was positive earlier in your case).
Here,i would advice you to take repeat swab test and consult nearby GP who will inspect the lesion and make a correct diagnosis.
Regards,
Chickenpox is one form of a Herpes Virus.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for the follow-up,
Yes,chickenpox is one form of a Herpes Virus and it is caused by a Herpes virus called Varicella. It can also be called Varicella-Zoster or Human Herpes Virus-3.
Most of us are familiar with the 2 sexually transmitted types of Herpes:
Type 1 (oral herpes) and
type 2 (genital herpes).
Your case could be of herpes simplex virus ( HSV type-2 which causes genital herpes) which is not caused by varicella virus.
Now,this Varicella Virus can lay dormant in the nerve roots and then cause the Zoster virus (shingles) later in life. This later infection can also be called the Herpes Zoster Virus.
Most of the genital herpes is HSV type-2 (which swab test was positive earlier in your case).
Here,i would advice you to take repeat swab test and consult nearby GP who will inspect the lesion and make a correct diagnosis.
Regards,
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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