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Suggest Treatment For Genital Herpes

Posted on Wed, 6 May 2015

Question: A few questions related to genital herpes

1. Is prodrome pain that is associated with herpes always followed by an outbreak?

2. I've had pain/discomfort in my inguinal area three times over the past 7-8 weeks. Herpes typically doesn't occur that frequently, or last that long, does it?

3. And the pain has lasted 3-4 days at times. With herpes isn't it usually up to 2 days?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Information regarding prodrome and genital herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome back.

I have understood your query and I can fairly well related it to your previous query relating to the same issue

I suggest you to go through this link of CDC XXXXXXX website and read the section under "What are the symptoms of genital herpes?"

http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes-detailed.htm

1. Yes, a prodrome is a warning of an impending outbreak of genital herpes, and a prodrome is always followed by an outbreak unless it is aborted by an Oral antiviral e.g acyclovir.

2. Genital herpes can be very frequent during the first year of infection. An episode of sores can follow one after the other. The frequency gradually decrease with time.

3. Prodrome can last for hours or days before an eruption of genital herpes but since you never had an eruption therefore genital herpes is not a possibility.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 minutes later)

Thank you. I just get worried when I read that many people don't even know they have it b/c symptoms are so mild. But I guess the prodrome would only be present if it was going to be a full on episode?

How long do the sores last if you get them?

I had read on one site that prodrome can occur without outbreaks. So that is false?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
A prodrome is followed by an episode of herpetic eruption

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Recurrences can be mild Or without any symptoms and therefore they may go unnoticed.
A prodrome, on the other hand, is a warning sign of an impending outbreak and patients would know that they are due for an eruption.

First episode of herpes is usually severe and sores may take 7-14 days to heal; longer without treatment.
Mild recurrences usually heal in about 3-5 days.

Prodrome but no outbreak!!.. The only reasonable explanation is that one missed the sores on clinical examination.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (15 hours later)

thank you. i remember seeing a single, very tiny red spot (the size of a pin head) about an inch above the irritated area last week, but it never was swollen, filled with puss, raised or scabbed. And it went away in about 1.5-2 days.

it also never hurt.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
The spot which you mention does'nt seem like it was herpetic

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

The lesions in herpes genitalis are well defined, oval or round, discrete, erosions/ breaks in the skin/ mucosa. They may coalesce to form polycyclic erosions.
Herpes is usually painful or is accompanied by a burning sensation but recurrent genital herpes may be asymptomatic, specially if there are only a few lesions.

The description of the lesion which you noticed does'nt match that of genital herpes. It was a spot and not an erosion or break in skin.

The simplest way to convincingly rule out the possibility of genital herpes would be to take up a blood test for genital herpes i.e ELISA for type 1 and type 2 HSV (IgG as well as IgM).

A negative test would be conclusive and will put your mind at ease.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (25 hours later)

Thanks Doctor. I'm going to get tested. I've come across too many herpes-specific websites that are stating that prodrome symptoms can occur with no lesions or outbreak to follow. Are you absolutely positive that there would be a visible outbreak after prodrome, because that's not what I'm reading elsewhere.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You may get tested to clear your doubts

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes, you can go ahead with the tests.

Of course I am sure.

You can forward me the links of the websites that you are referring to.

Regards

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar