Recurrent herpes mostly occurs in the oral region. The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes it. It gives rise to painful blisters in the oral cavity and around the lips. Oral herpes with an active lesion is highly transmittable. The virus lies inactive in the nerve cells for the entire life and gets activated when triggered.
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I have a flare-up of genital herpes for the first time. What should I do?
Query: Hello doctor, I believe I have a flare-up of genital herpes for the first time. I was diagnosed with herpes nine years back. There was itching and irritation at the site after a Brazilian wax. However, there were no vesicles. Initially, I thought it was a yeast infection and took a topical steroid.... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. I have reviewed your pictures (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). The lesions are not typical of genital herpes, as blisters are not visible. Genital herpes presents typically with painful clear blisters. However, as yo... Read Full »
I have recurrent herpes on my lips. Can you please help?
Query: Hello doctor, I have herpes on my lips and inside my mouth for the third time in the past two months. The symptoms are fluid blisters and itching on the lips in the corners. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. Yes, it looks like herpes labialis (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). Herpes can be recurrent. If there are multiple episodes within three to six months or more than six in a year, continuous antivirals like tablet ... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor, Some months back, I got a sore on my lips. So, I went to see the doctor who diagnosed it as HSV-1 through a swab test. It was the first time I had it, and I did not know about it before. I did not have a recurrence even after three months, but I was told that it is a recurrent conditio... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your query and concerns. It seems you have herpes labialis. It is an infection of the oral mucosa seen in young adults due to HSV (herpes simplex virus) type 1 or rarely type 2. It is a common disease, and in most cases, the transfer is through sexual contact... Read Full »
Are the lesions on my penis due to HSV infection?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 40-year-old male with a weight of 90 kilograms. I have two lesions on my penis. I consulted a doctor and he told me that you have a recurrence of HSV. But I do not have a history of HSV. These lesions appeared after a day of receiving a handjob. But I did not do penetration and th... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. If the doctor tells about the recurrence, then it can be due to herpes zoster virus (HZV). Please mention whether you had chickenpox in childhood or later in adulthood. Chickenpox is caused by herpes zoster and it usually recurs when the immunity goes down. Herpes simpl... Read Full »
How common is oral HSV-2 infection?
Query: Hi doctor, I was recently diagnosed with HSV 2. I am having both genial and oral lesions. What is the best dosage of Valtrex to kill virus? Also, is HIV 2 oral infection uncommon one? I had shingles before 10 years and at that my doctor believed it as HSV 2. My IgG blood test showed HSV 1 0.06 and ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, oral HSV 2 (herpes simplex virus) is uncommon, but it can be the cause. Same way HSV 1 is mostly oral, but it can cause genital disease too. The dosage of Valtrex (Valaciclovir) differs according to the course of the disease such as initial disease episode and recurr... Read Full »
How to prevent the spread of HSV-1 virus to new outbreak sites?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 46-year-old male. I have recurring HSV-1 around the base (and inside) the nose. I have an outbreak now and my last outbreak was about 52 days ago. In childhood, I began with blisters on the lips; in the past five to 10 years, it seems it has migrated to the nose. Also, in the pa... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your post. I can understand the pain and frustration that a person goes through while getting a recurring infection and is on treatment for prolonged periods. Our options for herpes is limited. The guidelines say that for recurrent HSV (herpes simplex vi... Read Full »
The blisters on my penis look like herpetic lesions, then why did HSV test come back negative?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 37 year old male, who weighs 195 lbs, and I am 5.10 feet tall. I had blisters on my penis, so I went to a clinic. The doctor said that it appears to be herpes, but because I do not have pain, fever, or any other symptoms, he believed this was from friction. He told me to get HSV-1... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for the query. I have seen the attached photo (attachment removed to protect patient identity). It appears to be herpes simplex lesions. But, it may be due to any irritation or friction too. It may be due to HSV (herpes simplex virus) 1 or 2 if it is herpes.... Read Full »
What does my HSV report suggest?
Query: Hi doctor,My HSV 1+2 IgM serum 0.5 and IgG serum 20.8 through CLIA. I am going to get married soon. I do not want my partner to get infected. Please guide. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. IgM negative and IgG positive indicates that you have immunity against HSV (herpes simplex infection) and you do not have any active infection. You can get married without any tension. All the best. For further information consult a venereologist online --> https://www... Read Full »
I have small red rashes on my glans penis. What could be the cause?
Query: Hi doctor, I have small red rashes on my glans penis. It started as a small blister. When cleaned, it peeled like skin. However, if it is not cleaned, white discharge gets in and around the site. I am not taking any kind of medications. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Please revert with an image. It could be balanitis or herpes genitalis. The management can be decided based on the diagnosis. In the case of balanitis, one may apply Miconazole 2 % cream twice a day. Do you have a history of unprotected sexual intercourse? Revert with ... Read Full »
Why do I repeatedly get skin infection with itching on my wrist?
Query: Hello doctor, I have got this skin infection on my right-hand wrist, and I have attached the picture. This has happened five to six times. Last time it happened due to tying thread in hand. This time, I do not know. Last time, the doctor said to have Clavam 625 after Mometasone plus Sertaconazole c... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I saw your clinical pictures (attachment removed to protect patient identity). I am listing the possibilities in the order of highest probability: Herpes simplex infection. Recurrent furunculosis. Allergic contact dermatitis. Subcutaneous fungal infection. I w... Read Full »