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Suggest Treatment For Acne And Swollen Lymph Nodes

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Posted on Tue, 21 Oct 2014
Question: Day1 - Severe Acne (Face, Neck and Chest), Swollen Lymph Nodes (Left Ear/Jaw and Right Armpit).
Day 2 - 1 Sore on Labia Minora (I have never had genital sores before).
Day 3- Swelling Around Rectum, Slight BV Recurrence.

Hx: Female, 34yrs, Same Sex Partner 3 yrs, No Use of Contraceptives, Tubal Ligation 2002, 2 Full Term Vaginal Births - 1998 and 2001, Routine Blood and STD Checks (Every 6 mos), Last Check 4 mos ago.

Dx: Lupus (SLE-2002) Remission (Off Meds-2011), Herpes I Simplex (Lip Cold Sores Only-Birth), RA (2003), Migraines (2004), BV (2013)

Sx: Acne, Vaginal Sore, Rectal Swelling, Swollen Lymph Nodes, Back Pain, Tension Headaches, Fatigue

Meds: OTC Vitamins (Biotin, B12, B6, D3, VA, VC, Folic Acid, CoQ10, Fish Oil, Probiotics)

* I am not sure if all of this is BV related, or something else. I know swollen lymph nodes indicate a a sign of infection and I have read that Herpes I can develop into Herpes II? Once Dx, if Meds are needed may I obtain them from you???*
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I do strongly suspect genital herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Based on the symptoms provided by you in your detailed information, it does sound like you have developed genital herpes and will most certainly require medical management.

The recurrent bacterial vaginosis is also most probably due to the undressed herpes infection ma'am; although I would like to look at the sore to confirm the diagnosis, so if you are comfortable with sharing an image of the affected region by attaching it to our discussion, it would certainly help, but if you are not do not worry about it.

As for a prescription, we are not allowed to prescribe based on the international laws of online medical help. So all I can do is provide a suspected diagnosis based on the provided information, and guide you towards adequate management of your condition.

But you should know that genital herpes is treated with anti-viral medications like acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir. I hope you find my response helpful, please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (8 minutes later)
I suspected Genital Herpes as well, but I needed confirmation. Is it common for Herpes Simplex to convert to Genital Herpes? Could the Genital Herpes have caused the newly diagnosed BV which was substantiated by my OB/GYN to stem from an unknown cause?? Is Genital Herpes not detectably on Bloodwork, as I had bloodwork less than 4 mos ago along with a complete exam which did not reveal such???
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
All queries explained ma'am

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

Herpes simplex (type 1) can also cause genital herpes ma'am, although herpes 2 is the most common cause for genital herpes. Yes ma'am, you will have to go ahead with confirmation and for that I would recommend any of the following investigations:

-Polymerase chain reaction test
-Viral culture from the genital sore
(blood investigations would help to confirm the HSV if at all the HSV itself has caused the genital sores, or a blood investigation can be conducted to look for possible herpes-2 which you could have contracted)

Yes of course ma'am, the BV could have easily resulted from the genital herpes, and due to the currently present genital herpes (untreated), the BV will recur until treatment is initiated.

Genital herpes is just a presentation, and as mentioned earlier ma'am can be caused by either HSV-1 or HSV-2, but is most commonly caused due to HSV-2. I hope this helps to clear your doubts ma'am, please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further help, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (6 minutes later)
One more question, if you please ... My boyfriend of 3 years has been getting a cut like sore on the side of his penis, on and off for the duration of our 3 year relationship, but no other symptoms. We have have sex 1 to 3 times every single day. I developed BV 9mos ago and this is my 1st Herpes Outbreak, is it possibly that he may be an Asymptomatic Carrier???
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes of course it is a strong possibility

Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.

Please do not request me, I am here to help and will always be there for you.

Yes of course, it could be possible that he is an asymptomatic carrier. It is very difficult to detect asymptomatic carriers, as they do not present with any symptoms at all but transmit the infection quite often. Conducting blood investigations to check on HSV-1 or 2 levels will help confirm the diagnosis ma'am.

I wish you lots of luck, and please remember I am always here to help you so do not hesitate or request me.

Best wishes ma'am.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (7 minutes later)
Could I have had Genital Herpes without ever knowing and this be the first outbreak? Or is Genital Herpes something that relatively shows after recent transmission?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I suspect recent contact to be more likely

Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.

Genital herpes usually presents after recent contact, but in certain people as discussed (like your boyfriend) some individuals can remain asymptomatic (although rare). In my opinion ma'am, the more likely scenario is recent contact (or at least as recent as your symptoms started appearing).

Hope this helps ma'am.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (4 minutes later)
We have been together 2yrs and 8mos to be exact, could he have had it prior to our acquaintance?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Difficult to say

Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.

That is difficult to say ma'am, in fact as he has been asymptomatic I am not sure he himself would know much about when he could have contracted the infection.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (3 minutes later)
Ok ... Duly noted ... We entrust each other and talk about everything, so we shall discuss it and I will follow-up with my OB/GYN this week. Thank you so much, you have been thoroughly helpful :-)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It was my pleasure entirely ma'am

Detailed Answer:
I am glad I could be of assistance ma'am. I respect the trust you share with your partner and believe it is of utmost importance in every relationship.

Best of luck ma'am.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (4 hours later)
Got him to take this ... A bit embarassing
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please do not feel embarrassed

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

Please do not feel embarrassed, I am here to help and guide you.

On examination, I cannot really visualize the sore very well on your labia minora through images which at times is best examined physically, but that is not a problem. I have although noticed the swelling around your anal region.

This could be due to the herpes or recurrent bacterial vaginosis episodes, and so the most important thing you should be following is to wash your anal region after having a bowel movement from back to front. This direction of cleaning the anal region prevents (to a certain extent) transfer of infection-causing organisms from the vaginal (genital region) to the anal region, that can result in irritation.

As for the genital region, as I have not been able to visualize the sore your vagina looks perfectly healthy otherwise. So a physical examination would be warranted, but if at all you can possibly capture the sore in a clear image, then I could try examining it.

I hope you find my response helpful ma'am. Please do not hesitate to write back to me regarding anything, I hope you know by now that I am always going to be here to help you.

Best wishes.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Acne And Swollen Lymph Nodes

Brief Answer: I do strongly suspect genital herpes Detailed Answer: Hello ma'am and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Based on the symptoms provided by you in your detailed information, it does sound like you have developed genital herpes and will most certainly require medical management. The recurrent bacterial vaginosis is also most probably due to the undressed herpes infection ma'am; although I would like to look at the sore to confirm the diagnosis, so if you are comfortable with sharing an image of the affected region by attaching it to our discussion, it would certainly help, but if you are not do not worry about it. As for a prescription, we are not allowed to prescribe based on the international laws of online medical help. So all I can do is provide a suspected diagnosis based on the provided information, and guide you towards adequate management of your condition. But you should know that genital herpes is treated with anti-viral medications like acyclovir, famciclovir and valacyclovir. I hope you find my response helpful, please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you. Best wishes.