HSV 1 tests

Hi,  

I need some help. I had unprotected oral sex for about 5 minutes from a sex provider a 6 weeks ago.  2 days later my penis stared to itch and I noticed some red raw places on my penis. About a week later I got the flu (fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose).  I got better, but the itch on my penis persisted.  I talked to my Dr. on the phone and he seemed to think it was jock itch. I used Lotrimin and the itch went away after about a week.  Since I was paranoid I asked to get tested for STDs. The tests all came back negative except for HSV-1. It came back 1.55. This was about a month after the unprotected oral sex. I got tested last year and I'm pretty sure I didn't have HSV-1 last year. I am getting tested again and I'm also doing a HSV immunoblot test. Is that the same test as Western blot?  What are the chances I have genital HSV-1?  My fiancée is 19 weeks pregnant and I've been having unprotected sex with her. She's been complaining about itching and burning and I'm terrified I gave her HSV-1 to her.  I know there are serious risks to my unborn baby if I gave it to her. I'm waiting for the immunoblot test to come back, but I want to know what my chances are. Other than the itching and the raw skin on my penis, I have not had any lesions or red bumps. Ther is also no pain?  I love my fiancée and this was going to be my last fling before totally committing to her for the rest of my life. Please help. Thanks

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Have you ever in your life had a cold sore on your lip?  Has she?  If either of you had oral herpes prior, the chances of you getting it genitally are really small.  And five minutes isn't very long.  However, I am a little concerned about what you describe as red, raw places.  Can you be a little more specific about how they looked?  The upper respiratory infection that you describe with runny nose, etc, is almost certainly not related to herpes.

The immunoblot and western blot are NOT the same, totally different.  

How long after the contact did you get the herpes testing done?  Are you able to acquire your old records to see if you were actually tested for herpes in the past?

Terri

[coop13]

Silly

[freakingout125]

Hi Terri,

There were no lesions, just a couple of areas around the folds of my penis that were red. No bumps, just a little swollen and red. That led me to believe it was jock itch.  My fiancé and I have never had cold sores. I had the test done about a month after exposure.  Is the immunoblot test pretty accurate?  I will look to see if I can obtain my old records. Thanks.

[freakingout125]

Hi Terri,

Just to add. The red raw places had an area of around 3/4 of an inch by 1/2 of an inch.   I'm really concerned that if I do have genital HSV, it can affect the health if my unborn child.  I used Lotimin and the itch and redness mostly went away.  Is there a test I can do to see if I have genital vs oral HSV?  Thanks

[freakingout125]

Hi Terri,

Just to add, the unprotected oral sex took place in the shower and I washed my penis pretty thoroughly afterwards. I did not have an orgasm. Does the fact that I washed my penis right afterwards help at all. Please give me your opinion. Thanks.

[freakingout125]

Hi Terri,

Sorry, I am obsessing.  I've been reading about the prodrome phase and from what I've read it lasts a few hours to a couple days. I had the red irritation on my penis for at least 2 weeks. No bumps or blisters formed. Is that a good indication that it wasn't herpes?  Again it cleared up in about a week after I stared to use lotrimin. Thanks.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

It is probably good that you washed your penis right after the contact, yes.  Generally, we don't know if that helps, but given that it all happened so quickly after sex, it might be a good thing.

The redness that you describe on your penis doesn't sound like I would expect herpes to sound, really.  It was only redness and no breaks in the skin, thats a good thing.

The immunoblot and the ELISA that you had done are going to probably match pretty well as they are made by the same company (if you had a herpeselct done), and I would expect them to match pretty well.  

The thing is, even if you have a western blot and it is positive for HSV 1, you can't know WHERE that infection is or WHEN you got it.  If you just want to know if you have it or not, then that would be the test for you.  

Terri

[freakingout125]

Hi Terri,

Just to add, I masterbated a couple times about 10 days after the exposure and my penis was pretty raw and sore in the red places. Does that change your thoughts?  Again, i didn't see any blisters or breaks in the skin. Also, can you tell me how to order a western blot test?  I'm really hoping for a false positive so I get get my life back. Thanks.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

You can either order the test kit directly from the University of Washington (google herpes western blot and UW) and have your health care provider draw the blood and send it back or I can order it for you from my clinic if you become a phone patient of the clinic.  Either one will get you the test.  The masturbation does not change my thoughts.

Terri