Can a HSV culture be wrong?

[penguin08]

I haven't been with anyone in 5+ years. I went for a check up at my gyn and 2 days later I developed 2 blisters . I returned and they took a culture and it came back positive for HSV. I have to be evaluated for abnormal paps every 6 months. I have never had anything even remotely similar to this. My regular doctor said its possible that they could have overread the results. Is this possible?

[penguin08]

You have been so helpful! Thank you so much.

[gracefromHHP]

Mostly it's time and recurrences that help you figure out what is an ob and what isn't.  Itching near the anus could be a herpes recurrence or it could be fungal or bacterial or even just something as simple as hemorrohoids or not getting yourself clean enough after a bowel movement or even a reaction to toilet paper.  If it turns into obvious blisters within the next day or so then you know it was a herpes prodrome.  Yeah I know - not so easy at all sometimes.

Since both doc's you've seen so far are clueless  - perhaps a consult with someone else is a good idea.  See if you can find a dermatologist who has an interest in genital skin diseases so it's more worth your time. Another option is to just find a different gyn to see.  there are doctor's lists on both the herpes homepage and the westover heights website to look at to see if any are near you. I believe ASHA also maintains a list but you have to call for it I believe.  

grace

[penguin08]

Its pretty bad when both doctors say " I have never seen anything like this before!" I actually heard her say that when the door closed to my room. My regular doc said pretty much the same thing. It almost gone now. I am getting another itchy spot around my anus. Since I have never had an OB that I know of I am getting so paranoid. How do you really know if it is one?

[gracefromHHP]

was that the blood test that came back as hsv2 or a lesion culture? if it was a lesion culture - specifically ask if they typed it or if they are just saying hsv2 because it's genital.  Never hurts to make them be very specific!

Meanwhile I'd try soaking in the tubby with epsom salts thrown in and then going bottomless whenever you are around the house to cut down on friction and to get cool drying air to your bottom.  I'm not sure why they said dermatologist - you'd think your gyn or regular doctor could handle all this.  Who knows what they are thinking.   definitely follow up with someone if you aren't getting better within a few days.

grace

[penguin08]

Thank you so much for all the information. I checked out the westover heights site. It is very good. They told me today its hsv2. My primary care doctor wants me to get a second opinion from a dermatologist. From what you have told me, I shouldn't bother. Right? They said that the bacterial culture came back negative. I hate that these doctors give  you presciptions that you don't need.

[gracefromHHP]

no wonder your herpes isn't getting better faster :(

Call monday and find out the typing info.  this would be a recurrence for you so it's too late to bother with antivirals now but if you aren't better by the end of the week - don't hesitate to go back and get tested for yeast and bacterialinfections to make sure that neither of them are further complicating things. The antibiotics they gave you don't help with herpes and they don't help with the common bacterial infections we gals can get vaginally either. Actually no idea why they put you on them even.  Also ask for a prescription for episodic /outbreak therapy too while on the phone.  That way you have a supply at home to start at the next sign of an ob. the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com has terrific info - give it a read before you make that phone call tomorrow if you can so that you are informed on your options since it sounds like your doc might not be so informed.

grace

[penguin08]

They just gave me Amox-Clav. That was it.

[gracefromHHP]

did they prescribe any herpes antivirals for you?

grace

[waringblender]

The only way you could have picked this up at the GYN office is if you had sex with someone there. It's sexually transmitted. You got it from a past partner.

[penguin08]

I will call again to find out what type. Its been 2 week since I got the blister and the area is still red and gross looking. Should I be putting anything on it? Can it spread to other areas? I am freaking out. I still do not understand if this is contracted from skin contact how if have never had anything that even resembles this. I was with the same person for 9 years and we have been apart for an addition 5+ years and I still haven't been with anyone. Could I have picked it up in my GYN office? Oh, the HPV test came back negative. I have had abnormal readings for years and I got for check ups every 6 months.
I feel lost....:(

[gracefromHHP]

A culture is only wrong if it's a clerical error.  You had obvious blisters and a + lesion culture for herpes - no reason to suspect it's wrong even though I know a part of you is really hoping for that.

so what do you do now?  Well was it typed to see if you have hsv1 or hsv2? if not then you'll need to find out what type you have.  Since it sounds like this was a recent thing - call your gyn monday and ask them if they typed it. if they didn't tsk, tsk them and then INSIST they call the lab they use and see if they still have the specimen to type it. Don't let anyone try to convince you that it's always hsv2 if it's genital or that type doesn't matter.  Also be sure to take the time to watch the patient counseling video and read the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com. both are quite helpful to learn more about herpes and treatments.    Also feel free to ask any other questions you have.

Were you also tested for hpv since you've had abnormal paps or was this your first abnormal pap?

grace