Question:
Went to see the doc today with sore lymph nodes in the groin area and have like 8 small blisters on the scrotum. Right off the bat he said I have the herps and swabbed. He gave me scripts for antibiotic and antifungal. I filled the antibiotics, but not the antifungal..they wanted like $100 after insurance. Does this stuff really work?

Here's a little history..maybe I could get some opinions.

I was lifting something heavy a couple of months ago and thought I just strained a muscle until the severe pain didn't go away. I got a CT scan a couple months ago and it showed enlarged lymph node on the right side. The pain was radiating from my abdomen down to my groin. Felt like there was something pushing against my abdomen, guessing this was the enlarged lymph node. I relaxed for about 4 months and I would only get minor pain once in awhile.

I haven't been sexually active in about 3 years just for the fact of stds, they scare the hell out of me, but If I have the herps I'm going to have to deal with the bad days.

About 2 days ago I felt an abnormal pimple like spot on the scrotum and tried to pop it thinking it was that. I think I aggitated the area pretty good and saw about 8 more in the form of a circle the next day. The area did feel kind of itchy 2 days before I felt it. I do shave down below and just started to use cocoa butter with vitamin E and this is when it started getting itchy. At this point in time it just feels raw.

I was lifting some heavy things the other day and felt some discomfort and today I got up with the lymph node in the groin area painful and swollen. (can feel a lump) It is not where the original pain was coming from.

Has anyone else had symptoms like this? I'm wondering if this just stayed behind closed doors until now? Maybe this injury triggered it ? I have no idea. Anything I should look out for with these blisters that would confirm it? I have never had anything like this before. I should have my results back in a couple of days. I'll let you guys know.

-confused23

Answer:
hola!
I would say hang loose until you get the results. The symptoms you describe DO sound like herpes, and possibly you could have had it and it could have been in "hiding" if you will. Stress, injury, worn down immune system, illness...all these things can trigger herpes.
I know sometimes during (or right before)an outbreak, my glands get swollen, usually behind my ears and in my throat...go figure.... :roll:

However, it COULD all be coincidental too! Maybe the blisters/pimples are just an agitation to something....I would hang tight until a doc contacts you. Either way, let us know how you are doing. if you touch the area you might want to be sure to keep your hands really clean so you do not spread it elsewhere....I am not sure on the whole transmission thing (I get different stories all the time!) but it is just good to practice super good hygeine if you suspect you got the herps.

good luck.

Answer:
Confused,
Are you sure your doctor gave you an antibiotic and antifungal?
See, antibiotics and and anifungals do zippy for herpes. Herpes is a virus dude. If you put an antifungal cream on a herpes lesion...ouch...you are just asking for more sack pain :shock: I would not use the antifungal until the doctor rules out herpes. you might want to get some medical gloves for when you wash or inspect your sack. don't use a washcloth just your gloved hand here. this way you don't cross-contaminate other areas of your body Check the other Rx again it should be acyclovir or Valtrex or famvir...these are antivirals. You need to take the antiviral the sooner the better. Peace out

Answer:
I was thinking the SAME thing PMP and forgot to bring that up too....maybe it is antivirals?!!? Then again...see all my rants and bitchings on doctors...would NOT surprise me if some doctor prescribed the wrong thing.

nothing in regards to the so called medical proffesion surprises me at this point. Sheesh.

Answer:
Should I not even shake peoples hands?

I do have a couple of little bumps on the waistline on my back now, will this stuff spread anywhere you touch?

I thought it could only be transmitted through sexual behavior?

-confused

Answer:
confused,
Yes. you can spread herpes to other areas of your body...it's called cross contamination. This probably happened by accident before you realized the danger of touching your active lesions... maybe during a shower, or when you were inspecting your scrotum...then immediately touching another area of your body transferring the live virus to that area by your fingers or washcloth. The danger of cross contamination is greatest during a primary (first) outbreak; however it is possible with recurrent lesions as well. Be careful that your clothing like a waistband dosen't rub or irritate the lesions on your back.
This is why I strongly suggest getting a box of medical gloves. Wear the gloves when you wash or touch any lesions..now also the lesions on your back. In the shower, wash these affected areas first and separately with plenty of soap using your gloved hand. Remove your gloves.. then wash the rest of your body taking care not to touch the lesions. Do this careful process until all the lesions have completely healed and the skin looks normal again. In the past, I poured good old fashioned Listerine on a cotton ball , applied it to my lesions three or four times a day...stings :P but it inactivates the virus on contact.
Wash your hands thouroughly. The skin on your hands is very tough. Unless you have a break in the skin..it is unlikely that you will get herpes on your hands but germs can be transferred from your hand to other areas of your body. You don't have to stop shaking hands. Just make sure your hands are clean. I'd be more concerned about what crud is on the other person's hands :?:

Answer:
when the areas are cross contaminated, will they show up in the cross contaminated areas next time?

How long does this stuff usually last?

Do only meds make it go away?

Lymph node doesn't really hurt anymore that I mentioned and lump went away after like a day? Should they stay swollen through the whole ordeal?

Maybe it's something else ..who knows, Still waitin for the test results

Answer:
It may not be herpes... we're assuming it is because your symptoms sound like a herpes infection.
You said your doc suspected herpes by a visual exam.. in that case he should've given you a script for an antiviral. Check your precription information from the pharmacy...it should say what type of med you're taking and what it is used for.
Lymph nodes may go down before your rash clears...this is normal.
Antivirals shorten the healing time, reduce discomfort and reduce viral shedding. The lesions heal in about 2 weeks for a primary infection. Cross contaminated areas usually do not recur.

Answer:
I told the pharmacy I didn't want the anti-viral after they told me it was $93.00, $293.00 without insurance...I'm not paying any drug company that amount of money for anything unless they are selling the vaccine/cure