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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Herpes ELISA test
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Herpes ELISA test
by BiochemistElisaQuestion, Dec 27, 2005 12:00AM
I am a 23 yr old healthy male. I take 500mg tetracycline twice daily for acne. Over the last couple months I've become concerned that I may have contracted oral HSV-1. I began dating a woman who has chronic outbreaks of cold sores. We have engaged only in oral kissing. I myself have never had a cold sore. 17 to 19 days after first kissing this woman I decided to get a HSV-1 ELISA test to see where I stand with HSV-1. The test came back positive for HSV-1 IgG antibodies and negative for HSV-2 IgG antibodies. I am aware that 90% of the population shares these same results for HSV-1. My question is, is it possible that I contracted HSV-1 from this woman considering the potential incubation time (less than 3 weeks)?
The reason I ask this is because this fall and early winter I have experience serverly chapped lips and flaking around the vermillion border with what appears to be white acne pustules that go away after a few days with flaking of the skin, even on the surface of the lips. Also, occasionally I find that I have culsters of red dots the size of a pin head on the front of my lower lip that sometimes take the form of bumps around the border (swollen oil glands?). I've had these bumps looked at and cultured by a few physicians and the results/observations have come back negative for herpes. I'm just hoping that I'm not experiencing an under diagnosed/missed mild HSV-1 symptoms. If it isn't HSV-1, what could be causing these symptoms (particulary the red bumps on the lower lips that go away) and what could I do to treat and/or prevent them? Thank you in advance for your advice.
The reason I ask this is because this fall and early winter I have experience serverly chapped lips and flaking around the vermillion border with what appears to be white acne pustules that go away after a few days with flaking of the skin, even on the surface of the lips. Also, occasionally I find that I have culsters of red dots the size of a pin head on the front of my lower lip that sometimes take the form of bumps around the border (swollen oil glands?). I've had these bumps looked at and cultured by a few physicians and the results/observations have come back negative for herpes. I'm just hoping that I'm not experiencing an under diagnosed/missed mild HSV-1 symptoms. If it isn't HSV-1, what could be causing these symptoms (particulary the red bumps on the lower lips that go away) and what could I do to treat and/or prevent them? Thank you in advance for your advice.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Dec 28, 2005 12:00AM
, Dec 28, 2005 12:00AM
If you have HSV-1 antibodies, that means that you have been exposed to HSV-1 sometime kn your life, and therefore that you're not going to catch it again from kissing someone with herpes. If you do catch herpes for the first time, you get severe swelling, fever, swollen glands, and so forth, not the chapping and spots you describe. I think you have fear of herpes and chapped lips. Try vaseline and show a doctor next time you go, so you can stop worrying.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
