HSV-2 test

Could someone advise me on testing times. The person I slept with tested negative on the herpselect test 4 weeks after her previous encounter. She has shown no symptoms, it's just me that is afraid. If she takes another test at around the 11 week point and it is negative, would that timeframe be enough to think I'm in the clear? Also, is their much difference between the ELISA and the Herpselect immunoblot? Both igg of course. Thanks for your time!

[bobrope45]

Her test 4 weeks after her lastest exposure was done too soon, but it's a good indicator that she's not infected.
It would be better for her to test again 12 weeks after, that's the recommended timeframe.

There's a significant different in the method (one is ELISA, the other uses blotting technique) but as far as I'm concerned they have similar sensitivity/specificity. The ELISA is far cheaper, so it should be your first choice.

[bobrope45]

*significant difference (I need a cup of coffee to wake up my fingers)

[jts40]

Thanks! I'm not sure if you can read my previus post or not but I made a drunken mistake that is driving me crazy since I'm married! I've experienced symptoms that I'm praying to be just psychological for 6 weeks come Saturday. If you don't mind reading them, do you mind giving me your thoughts? It seems the more expert advice the better! Both Dr. Handsfield and Grace have been absolutely wonderful!

[manalone]

What is your symptom?

[jts40]

Sorry to keep bothering you but in regards to the testing, do you 12 weeks after the first test or 12 weeks after her last exposure? Thanks.

[petal130]

I suggest you take Dr. Handsfields advice in your post to him here:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Possible-HSV-exposure-or-stress/show/1614099#post_7366772

Grace also advised you the same. Move on from STDs and work with someone if you cannot do so.

[jts40]

I know Petal. My anxiety level isn't as high as it was but it is still that little something that makes me afraid. I just wanna make sure I protect my family from my idiotic mistake.

[gracefromHHP]

she would need to be tested 12 weeks after her encounter prior to you.

[jts40]

I'm solo sorry to bother you Grace, but now I'm freaking out again. I took everyones advice and have been trying to persuade myself that I was fine. So Tuesday morning I had unprotected sex with my beautiful wife and I just got off the phone with her and she said she had a sore throat. I'm panicking again! I'm praying to God that it is coincidental but could a sore throat be a symptom and is 2 to 2 1/2 days to early for herpes! God what have I done!

[gracefromHHP]

why would you assume a sore throat is herpes? no reason to think this is std related.

[jts40]

I guess because that is how all of my "symptoms" started. My emotions are on a rollercoaster ride right now. In this six weeks I haven't had one single blister/sore but I have this nonstop fear of urethral herpes due to a pain at the tip of my penis and within from time to time. I'm praying that it is just genitally focused anxiety since this has been going on from time to time for the past 6 weeks. Do you know of anybody that have had this and what their symptoms were if you do? I was going to do a phone consult with Terri just so I could talk to an expert but she doesn't have any appointments until Nov. 15. One day I have the pain and another day I don't. I never knew this type of stress until now.

[manalone]

1-Do you have pain even without going to pee?
2-Did you test for herpes?

[gracefromHHP]

herpes never causes pain one day and none the next.

perhaps an appointment with a counselor to work on your anxiety and guilt would be money  better spent at this point?

[jts40]

Grace, I know a diagnosis can't be given online, but do you feel in your heart that this is total anxiety playing with my emotions? I mean for instant, Wed. I had the sensation, thursday not much, then today back again. Never with any painful urination. Thanks for all of your response. This forum has been the only thing that has kept me from going insane:)

[gracefromHHP]

keep rereading HHH's post to you until you start believing it :)

also sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is to stop looking at the lil guy, get offline and go and keep yourself busy, busy , busy!!  sitting too long puts pressure on the pelvic area which doesn't help. thinking about this over and over again, adds to your anxiety.  do things that keep you busy, offer to start holiday shopping early, get out the cook books and pick complex recipes that take a lot of prep time to make, take walks, rake leaves for elderly neighbors, volunteer at your local shelters/soup kitchens etc.  at the very least, call up your friends and ask them to do things with you to give you something to do to keep your mind off your nether regions and your guilt :)

[jts40]

I know. I've went from being the happy, joking guy to down in the dumps all the time! Hopefully time will heal all emotional wounds and next year at this time I'll still be celebrating the holidays with my family, which mean the world to me! Thanks Grace!

[cbenj]

Dude trust me I feel the same way you do right now. It sucks

[jts40]

Sorry once again Grace but last night I noticed that the head of my penis is somewhat redder around the opening and the area below that. I wouldn't say it is a complete rash, just redder and shiny. The opening may even be inflamed and swollen a little. I've urinated several times today and once I noticed that the drip at the end was slightly sticky. Is that normal for urine to be slightly sticky. The redness doesn't hurt to rub and I dont see any visible blisters or sores with the naked eye. Any ideas or suggestions? Does Herpes present like that. The person I made the mistake with tested negative for everything (chlymidia, syphallis, HIV, gonorhhea, and hsv2) 4 weeks after her last exposure prior to me. Thanks once again. Sorry to bother you again.

[gracefromHHP]

stop looking at it!!!

[jts40]

Will do my best :) is cortisone cream safe for the glans (glands)?

[gracefromHHP]

no don't use that - it can cause more problems than it's worth and you need the 1% for the genital skin, ,not the otc 10% you can buy at drugstores.

[jts40]

The tip is definitely inflamed and everytime I urinate it seems like the urine continues to dribble out. It doesn't really hurt to urinate but it just feels like there is more wanting to come out. I'm on the verge of confessing to my wife because now I really feel like something is wrong. Grace does it still sound like it is unrelated to STDs to you. I took 1 gram of azithromycin and 7 days of doxy a few weeks ago. That is why I'm so afraid of herpes because I think I covered some of the others. Please, any advice.

[gracefromHHP]

this is not herpes.

[jts40]

Thanks once again Grace! Can I ask you, in your professional opinion, if I should have the girl to get retested at the 12 week mark? Also, I remember having a cold sore several year ago on my top lip so odds are that I have oral hsv-1. Could this "mask" a possible outbreak IF someone aquires hsv-2 and would urethral herpes hurt really bad during urination? I have read similar "symptoms" that I have had could relate to stress and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Why can't they come up with a test that detects hsv1 and 2 sonner than 3 months :)

[cbenj]

Dude honestly I think you're just obsessing over it too much I do the same thingg

[jts40]

I know I've obsessed abot but it is due to the random pains that I feel in my penis and testicles an sometimes I have the shooting Pains around my pelvis, like in the obliques. It's like the pain originates from the perineum and radiates to my penis. My wife is pretty suspicious about it all and I just don't want to lose my family. I don't want this one time mistake to ruin the beautiful family I have. It's so weird, it hasn't bothered me that much today until about 6 pm today! Inject always worried about things more than most but other people lives could be at risk here and I would die if i had something and gave it to my beautiful wife!

[gracefromHHP]

these pains are not herpes related.  

[jts40]

Thanks Grace. I talked to my friend today who is a gynecologist and she felt that all my symptoms are more than likely related to stress and tension. She also felt that a 4 week test and a 10 week test is sufficient enough. So with your knowledge, is there much difference between testing at 11 weeks than 12 weeks? The reason I ask is because the end of next week will be 11 weeks for the the girl I made the mistake with since her previous encounter. I'm hoping to be able to enjoy Thanksgiving so that is the reason I was gonna see if she would possibly get tested at the 11 week mark.

[gracefromHHP]

11 weeks is fine.

[jts40]

Hi Grace! Just wanted to run something by you. I'm still having these strange urethral pains, leg pains, perinium pain, etc. I have an appointment with a urologist next week. I took another hsv2 test at the 7 week mark and still negative. Still no sores or blisters but just touching my penis seems tender. The pains still come and go but for instant yesterday the urethral pains lasted the majority of the day but not so much today. It seems to wax and wane. Sooty for so much info but my question is, does urethral herpes cause painful urination? I have yet to experience pain while urinating but sometimes when I'm done urinating it still feels like there is some still in there and may cause a little stinging from time to time. Thanks and sorry for the long post.

[gracefromHHP]

herpes urethritis pain is constant and nothing that you would wonder about.

[sunnytiti]

jts40

I had the same symptoms with negative blood test but my doctor told he its a herpes even with a negative blood test.

1st time I though it was anxitey but I had a recurrent outbreak so now I do not think its was anxity cause may be its a herpes.

Follow up with your doctor to get a better answer.

[jts40]

I have another quick question Grace. I read in one of Dr. HHH's post that the flu-like symptoms (fever, fatigue, headaches, etc.) typically come after herpes lesions have already developed. In your experience, have you found that to be the case?

[jts40]

Sorry grace. Yet another question. I noticed that my testicles have dry skin on them. Not red or itchy. Just like somewhat dry. Do you know if it is safe to use generic cetaphil lotion in that area? Thanks as always.

[gracefromHHP]

you can use cetaphil in the genital area.

yes, typically if you are having a "classic" herpes infection that involves all the other symptoms, you are going to have obvious lesions too.  

[jts40]

Is dry skin due to a possible fungal or bacterial infection? It is not red or itchy in that area though. Also, just to clarify, do the flu-like symptoms come before or after lesions. Just wondering because my fever and sore throat came a few days before the other Pains started. Also, the lady agreed to take the test today at the 10 week, 5 day mark. If negative should I safely assume that I am in fact hsv2 free.

[gracefromHHP]

usually a fungal infection is what is causing the skin to look that way. you can have just dry skin but usually it's something else going on.

flu like symptoms come before lesions or around the same time.

[jts40]

Sorry one last question. Your patience is so unbelievable. Thank you for all that you have done for me! If her test is negative in the next day or so and you were me, would you get tested again in a few weeks just to make sure or would I be throwing my money away?

[jts40]

Grace I'm getting scared again. This dry skin issue is the first sign of any skin issue since this began 8 weeks ago. This doesn't sound herpes related to you does it? Please help!

[gracefromHHP]

I think your anxiety is the real issue here, not your risk.

[jts40]

I know everyone is different but what percentage of people produce antibodies at around 7 weeks? Any documented studies on that? I had the igg hsv-2 test done through labcorp and I'm pretty sure it was the ELISA? Thanks Grace for the time and patience!

[gracefromHHP]

labcorp does the captia test which is a fine test.

about 2/3's of folks test accurately at that point. we recommend waiting so that you can test once and be done with it.

[jts40]

Is it still the same time period as the herpselect? Around the 12 week mark?

[gracefromHHP]

actually we recommend waiting until 4 months for any test that isn't the herpeselect but in the big picture, it's not a big of enough difference to really matter.

[jts40]

Hi Grace! So the woman that I made the huge mistake with tested negative for HSV-2 at her 11 week post encounter and I was negative at 7 weeks post encounter. I have never had any blisters or sores but I did find a pimple on my rear this morning that I expressed and the white pimple material came out of it (sorry I know that's gross). With my symptoms of perineum pain, urethral pain, and sometimes leg pains is it safe to say that this is from something else? I guess what I'm saying is that she never has noticed any symptoms and I have never seen any "visible" symptoms so would her 11 week negative test (labcorp) be sufficient enough to rule out genital herpes? What do you think? Should I move on from this? Thanks grace!

[gracefromHHP]

pretty sure I've already told you many times now your risk was too small to worry about haven't I?  guilt vs risk my dear - don't confuse the two!!!  follow up on your continuing symptoms as needed.

[jts40]

So I was feeling much better last night bout the results. Woke up this morning to some dry looking skin up Indra the glans (glands) as well as a small red bump of some sort midway between the base and head of my penis. I'm scared to death now. Going to see my dermatologist this morning and urologist this afternoon. Could a visible lesion appear 8 weeks later?

[gracefromHHP]

odds are this isn't herpes going on.

[jts40]

So my dermatologist seemed pretty darn confident that it wasn't herpes. Matter of fact she said "definitely not herpes" when she first examined it. I then went to my urologist who said that my symptoms are consistent with "pelvic pain syndrome. He said if I had urethral herpes that I would have visible lesions as well and pain would have been constant. My dermatologist thought her 11 week test was somewhat early but since she did have symptoms that I should be fine but the urologist said that since the test were negative now that it should be fine also. Since your the expert with the test, whet percentage produce antibodies at that time frame? Because if it is close to everybody then I'm going to work to put this past me. Thanks Grace!

[jts40]

I have to admit that I'm still somewhat worried about the small bump. I mean what if she saw it before it turned into a blister? Is that possible? Also, it has been totally painless. Would it burn, itch, or be painful if it was truly a herpes lesion? Even after she "expressed" it it doesn't hurt.

[gracefromHHP]

11 weeks was fine.

HHH has made some terrific posts on pelvic pain syndrome if you want to search thru the std expert forum to find them. he posts about 2 excellent articles in his posts too. One is a wiki article written by an expert and the other is this one -  http://pelvicpainhelp.com/

not sure how many more times you need me to tell you that this isn't herpes going on???  now you've seen providers who also agree too. perhaps time to believe all of us?

[jts40]

I know..if this stupid area didn't show up today. I mean no pain and first visible sign over 8 weeks later. If it truly was herpes I should have seen within 2-20 days after the flu-like symptoms right? Thanks for all the help you've given me. I couldn't to have made it this far without you.

[gracefromHHP]

probably you've had lots of rashes down yonder in your lifetime and just never had reason to pay so much attention to them or even really think twice about them until now!!!!

I often wish I could let y'all borrow my herpes for a day here and there. all it would take is a day to show you what herpes feels like ;)  

[jts40]

I know I'm being really crazy about it all. I guess because I've read that visual examinations are not always right. I honestly do no know what to think anymore :(

[jts40]

Just one quick question. One a bump appears how long does it take to turn into a blister? Thanks Grace.

[jts40]

I should have asked, typically how long does it take for the bump to turn into a blister?

[jts40]

Hi Grace. So a second tiny bump popped up a few days after the first. This was on a Saturday. On that following Monday I was able to be seen by my dermatologist office but by a different doctor. Between me finding it on Saturday and being seen on Monday, the bump had not changed a bit. That's why I asked the question in my prvious post. This dr. Seemed confident that it wasn't herpes but did think it had a chance to be a very tiny wart starting to grow. So I decided the right thing to do was to tell my wife. I can't believe this one time mistake may end my marriage. I love my wife and daughter with all my heart and I let them down. Anyway if it was a heroes lesion would it have turned to a blister between sat. And Monday? Is a WB conclusive at 12 or 16 weeks? If it truly is HPV or HSV, what are the chance of my wife catching either of the two after us just having unprotected sex once that only lasted a few minutes? I'm praying to God that no matter what I may have I didn't pass it on to her. She did deserve to be cheated on much less catching something. Please help if you have the time. Thanks Grace!

[jts40]

I forgot to add that I asked if there was anyway to test the bump and he said that since it wasn't fluid filled that it was no way of testing it. Thanks again.

[jts40]

I know Grace is extremely busy helping others so if there is anybody that has the knowledge of Grace, could you please help me with my questions listed above from earlier today? Thanks.

[petal130]

These are right on:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Possible-HSV-exposure-or-stress/show/1614099#post_7366772

and from Grace:

"not sure how many more times you need me to tell you that this isn't herpes going on???  now you've seen providers who also agree too. perhaps time to believe all of us? "

See a therapist to work through your obvious guilt. I've utilized one in the past to much success. Move on from STDs.

[jts40]

I understand Petal but even if it isn't Herpes and it possibly small warts, isn't that HPV? Do you happen to know the odds of getting either from a one time occurrence?

[gracefromHHP]

very, very low.

unless you get a + herpes test, really nothing else we can help you with at this point.

[jts40]

I plan on continuing to be tested. Since I'm pretty confident that I have HSV-1, I don't know when to take the test, 12 weeks or 16 weeks and do you have a preference?

[gracefromHHP]

it really makes little difference between the 2.

[jts40]

Hi Grace. My wife is going in for testing on Friday. This will be close to 6 weeks since the two of us had sex last. Which HSV-2 Igg test has the biggest chance of false-positive? I read some info from a Dr. Leone and he stated the HerpesSelect ELISA seems to have an issue with false positives. If the Western blot is available through her Dr. should she get that done. Does it have false positives as well? Or is the HerpesSelect Immunoblot better than the HerpesSelect ELISA? If you recall I was negative at 4 and 7 weeks with the capita test and the girl I made the mistake with tested negative at 4 weeks HerpesSelect and 11 weeks capita. My wife is my main concern right now. What is the chances that one of us would have shown some antibodies between all the testing that we have done? I read that Dr. HHH said that closer to 80% will have produced antibodies at six weeks and you and Dr. Hook said at 7 weeks around 66% or so. Wouldn't you assume that one of us would have either been equivocal or positive with the testing done by now if we were both infected? Thanks Grace.

[gracefromHHP]

you need to wait 4 months post encounter for the WB.  The herpeselect is 3 months waiting.

the immunoblot has the same issues as the elisa does.

you really need to get over this whole herpes thing!!!

[jts40]

I started seeing a therapist today. Unfortunately I believe I've lost me wife to all of this and it is killing me. My main concern is that if I possibly have something I could have infected my wife with it. If that is the case, there is no telling what I may do :( Since herpes seems to be so different from person to person I'm paronoid that I may have it and no one has been able to give me a definitive answer. I just pray to God that it's all in my head!

[gracefromHHP]

continue on with your therapy and once you get to a better place, why not invite your wife to participate too to work through your problems?

[jts40]

So today would be 11 weeks since my nightmare began. My wife went in for testing yesterday. I pray to God that all her test are negative. I also went and had the herpeselect HSV2 igg ran on myself yesterday. If this test is negative (please be) should I follow up in another month or so with another one or should this be conclusive? My dr. believes that there is such a minuscule amount that hasnt seroconverted by now that this one should be fine if negative. Any thoughts yourself Grace?

[gracefromHHP]

no reason for more testing after this round of testing.

[jts40]

Hi Grace. My 11 week test is negative! So my questions are, if you have the time, does having HSV-1 slow down seroconversion of someone infected with HSV-2? Also, there are so many different responses as to testing time frames. For instance, dr. Hook said in a post today that after two weeks, more than half of people have produced antibodies and at 6 months 90% have produced them. However, he wrote to me that at 11 weeks over 90% will have produced antibodies. Please, what are your thoughts on this? It's almost like someone may never know when they may or may not be infected. Thanks Grace!!

[gracefromHHP]

no reason for more testing.

you are your own worse enemy at this point. really, is there is a reason why you seem to want to have contracted something?

[jts40]

Just the opposite. I just fear that if I did that decreases the chance of repairing my marriage tremendously. My wife hasn't got her results back and she didn't tell them the proper test to run such as iGg hsv test. So now I'm worried that they probably tested with the igm or ratio test and they could come back positive, which would put me in even more trouble. The dr. That ran my test the other day wants me to repeat it in 4-5 months. Should I? If it wasnt for the pains, fever, and sore throat that started 3 days after my encounter I wouldn't to have thought twice about an STD. The pains started again a few days ago too. So freaked out once again. What scares me is the chance that if I had contracted HSV-2 that I just haven't seroconverted yet due to HSV-1, not enough time, etc.

[gracefromHHP]

you have no reason to think you contracted herpes from this encounter. no more testing, continue counseling and move on from this.

[jts40]

Thanks Grace for all the helP and support. I just have to somehow focus on saving my marriage. Thanks for everything.

[jts40]

Grace you know I couldn't go a day without asking you a question:) actually this question is more out of curiosity than anything. When people become infected with HSV-2 and get the sore throat, fever, etc. Is the sore throat usually just that, sore, or is similar to strep? Where you get the white patches of infection on your tonsils.

[jts40]

Scared again! How do you tell the difference between a pimple and a herpes lesion? I found one on my lower buttocks this morning and it was somewhat tender. From the best I could see it it had a whitehead to it but I couldn't really tell what happened with it when I squeezed it. It now is like a little swollen red bump that's slightly raised. I can't keep leaving work everytime I find something like that. How do you distinguish the two. Would a heroes lesion flatten out and have a crater-like appearance or would it swell some like when popping a pimple? I know this is all gross. Sorry. Trying to get past this herpes thing and it seems like everytime I do something comes up that makes me fear it again.

[gracefromHHP]

time to get off the crazy train dear.

this isn't herpes.  

[beartrack]

Please let me know the out come of all this. I am going thru the same thing.
Reading all of the your post I thought it was me. I also have told my wife.

[baba22]

jts40, you do not have an std. You have CPPS/CMP. I also have this disease, and your symptoms fit absolutely perfectly. I als thought t was an std at first, but it's not. I's a very, very common neuromuscular disease. You may wish to review my story regarding this.

Please order and read the book "A Headache in the Pelvis", it will explain everything.

I have sent you a PM with my contact info so I can explain treatment. Lucky for you, CPPS is treatable and curable, but it takes a long time and a lot of dicipline.

[jts40]

So i've been doing pretty good with everything as far as my anxiety, pains, etc. I do have a question though:) Today I woke up with a very slight sore throat. Was a little congested overnight. I feel fine otherwise. I got to work and looked in the mirror and my left tonsil has one small, slightly raised patch or bump. It looks just like the white patches that appeared on the back of my throat when this whole ordeal began. When someone is first infected with either genital or oral herpes, does these sort of symptoms (white patches or bps on the tonsils) appear on the tonsils? The information you read elsewhere is so unreliable so that is why I'm returning here for information and advice. Thanks.

[gracefromHHP]

this isn't oral herpes.

[jts40]

Hi Grace. I just need some help on conflicted answers. These past few days I have felt a little "different" in the genital area. I guess I would describe it as somewhat tender around the top of my penis and in the perinium area. I know that you told me that since both her and I had negative test at 11 weeks that there was nO more need for testing. Would you still make that suggestion again from what I've described above? I just see so many conflicting answers, for instance, from Dr. Hook. I've seen where he states to one person that without obvious lesions HSV-2 is not the cause from similar pains and then he tells another person that there is a chance that you COULD catch HSV-2 without external lesions. I just do not know what to believe so that is why I'm coming to you yet again for much needed help. Thanks in advance.

[gracefromHHP]

if you have symptoms, be seen. nothing I can do at this point.

[jts40]

Sorry Grace. I guess I just wanted to know that of you were in my situation would you test again? Symptoms have disappeared for the large part today. Only lasted about 2-3 days total.

[jts40]

Hi Grace. It is me yet again. I'm in panick mode. I'm scared to death now. So if you recall, I stopped testing for hsv2 at 1 weeks. I guess my symptoms were atypical to everyone and I've tried to focus my attention on being a much better husband to my wife. Unfortunately for the last 2 1/2 months all of my symptoms have returned but still without any blisters whatsoever. My urologist had diagnosed me with CPPS/chronic prostatitis. My wife and I have been doing better in terms of our relationship. However we had sex last Friday and on wednesday night she was out of town and believed she had a fever. Took ibuprofen and on Thursday morning woke up with a really sore throat that has continued today. She returned home last night and I looked at the back of her throat and she had a few white spots on her tonsils. Im basically freaking out and have convinced myself that it is possibly herpes. My symptoms started the same way. If I've given her something, I don't know what I may do. When people mention the initial symptom of herpes being a sore throat, can it involve white spots on tonsils? Do people get sore throats when they first are infected with genital hsv2? Please help me. Thanks.

[jts40]

bump

[jts40]

*bump*

[jts40]

Bump

[gracefromHHP]

come closer to your screen....closer...closer....SMACK!!!


now really dear - how many more times do you need told you have an anxiety issue at this point, not a herpes issue? your wife's symptoms are not herpes either!!

grace

[jts40]

Haha Thanks Grace:) Her sore throat started Wed. Night. Started antibiotics yesterday and throat feels quite a bit better today. So I'm praying its bacterial then! Your the best! Thanks again.