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STDs (Expert Forum)
Advice and where to test
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Advice and where to test
by VictorSP, Jul 31, 2006 12:00AM
10 months ago I had a sexual encounter that involved oral sex on me - from her - for a few seconds, some kissing and that's about it. Within 10 days, I had prostatitis. I have been on antibiotics for that since then (10 months ago) And a month later, a red rash on the shaft of my penis. It went after a few days. Saw a doctor - he said it's fungal. Used fungal cream. The rash went, but came again a couple of weeks later. Saw another doctor - he said, it's just fungal. Don't worry.
After a few months - 6 to be precise - of this, and continued prostatitis and stress - (and HIV, syph, etc tests on a regular basis, all negative) finally insisted I have a hsv test. It was for igm and igg - and I am based in China. Results came back pos for igg hsv I and pos for hsv II igm. I freaked out. Doctor said it may be wrong, and that at 6 months post exposure, I should be pos for hsv II igg if it's true. Repeated test twice over the next month. Same results. Saw several doctors - some said just accept it. Others said results may be wrong.
Still get the occasional rash on my penis. For a day or two. Three at most usually. No breaking of the skin. No itching. Just little red patch, or a few dots in an area.
Now I'm back in the UK, and wondering if I can confirm the results I had before. It is now 10 months post-exposure. Is there anywhere I can do the herpeselect test you recommend? What else can I do?
Thanks!
After a few months - 6 to be precise - of this, and continued prostatitis and stress - (and HIV, syph, etc tests on a regular basis, all negative) finally insisted I have a hsv test. It was for igm and igg - and I am based in China. Results came back pos for igg hsv I and pos for hsv II igm. I freaked out. Doctor said it may be wrong, and that at 6 months post exposure, I should be pos for hsv II igg if it's true. Repeated test twice over the next month. Same results. Saw several doctors - some said just accept it. Others said results may be wrong.
Still get the occasional rash on my penis. For a day or two. Three at most usually. No breaking of the skin. No itching. Just little red patch, or a few dots in an area.
Now I'm back in the UK, and wondering if I can confirm the results I had before. It is now 10 months post-exposure. Is there anywhere I can do the herpeselect test you recommend? What else can I do?
Thanks!
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jul 31, 2006 12:00AM
, Jul 31, 2006 12:00AM
First and perhaps most important, you should totally ignore the HSV-2 IgM antibody test result. It does not indicate HSV-2 infection (search other threads for more discussion) and your symptoms in no way suggest herpes. However, I cannot tell whether your IgG test was type-specific, not knowing what tests are done in China.
Your plan/desire for a truly type-specific test, like HerpeSelect, is the right way to go. Britain's genitourinary medicine clinics are excellent, by and large; there are several in London and at least one in most other mid- to large urban area. Any GUM clinic will have access to type-specific HSV tests, and you can rely on a high level of expertise about herpes among the professional staff.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Your plan/desire for a truly type-specific test, like HerpeSelect, is the right way to go. Britain's genitourinary medicine clinics are excellent, by and large; there are several in London and at least one in most other mid- to large urban area. Any GUM clinic will have access to type-specific HSV tests, and you can rely on a high level of expertise about herpes among the professional staff.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
HHH, MD
HHH, MD