I recently went to get tested after three bumps with small ulcers appeared on my penis near the head. i first got blood work done but being impatient went and had them accessed at a STD clinic. the MD said they looked like herpes and offered to do a swab test. she also gave me a 10 day three times a day run of acyclovir which i began taking immediately. three days later i got the call that the swab was positive for herpes but then also received my blood work which came back negative for both HSV. while taking the run of acyclovir two new spots showed up. i finished the run of antiviral and hoped it would be over. it seemed like it was healing but the bumps remained, not red just raised and firm. then a week and a half later another group started in two different areas so i began another 5 day three times a day run of acyclovir. I'm on day two and its hard to tell if its working.
my question is why would the original spots remain as raised firm areas and why would a outbreak start while taking the antiviral. is it possible acyclovir doesn't work for me? also, why are so many outbreaks happening so frequently after the other seems to be on the upswing. I've read that the primary outbreak is the worst but it's been about a month of this. a very difficult month. where is the end.
i know its probably a pipe dream but could it not be herpes?
The blood tests are negative because this is a new infection and you haven't produced detectable antibodies yet. The swab, when positive, is usually accurate, I'm afraid. Did they tell you which HSV type you have? If not, call and ask. Type matters. Hopefully they typed it, otherwise you might still be able to find out since you have a second crop of new lesions (the swab test loses accuracy with time).
First outbreaks usually last 3 weeks on average, up to 4 weeks, and it is likely the worst one you'll experience. First outbreaks tend to come in two waves, one a week after the first. Sounds like that's what happened to you. The meds only really work if started immediately, but I suppose they still help somewhat, so keep taking them. They work better for recurrences, again if taken at first sign of symptoms.
Hope this helps explain what's probably going on!
Thank you! This helps and i will call to find out which. it was a very short and awkward phone call.
i'm also trying lysine, zinc, and a zinc cream. the zinc cream seems to make it worse so i've stopped using that. are these other methods help during the primary outbreak or are they more for preventing further outbreaks after the primary?
Zinc cream is often advised because it serves as a barrier cream, contains zinc and helps with drying and thus healing, but if it is not helping, then yeah, better stop. Zinc supplement is worth taking, but lysine is more debatable. Some people swear by it, others don't, and HSV experts no longer stand by it. Taking vitamin c might be just as, if not more, helpful.
Many people (though usually women) swear by soaking in a shallow tub of Epsom salts for relief. It also helps with drying. Topical acyclovir cream helps with healing, but is not usually used if you're also on the oral meds.
Main thing is to keep the sores clean and dry. They will heal soon enough, especially since they're on your penis (gets more air than a woman's bits!). The second crop of lesions sucks, but at least you now know that's common with the first outbreak. Recurrences are usually waaay milder and quicker to heal, incidentally. If you have gHSV1, you may not even get any or very few.