HSV 2 testing continued

[JasonBoBo]

This is a continuation of my previous post entitled HSV 2 testing. I ran out of character space.

Below is my timeline of events.
8/21 possible exposure - unprotected sex with woman ( i do not know if she is +/- for HSV 2)
10/1 pain, redness, warm sensation on left side of penis
10/7 6 week post exposure Herpeselect type specific I negative, II negative
10/9 Started valacyclvir 1g x 10 days. Pain subsided within one hour of taking first dose. Switch to acyclovir 250mg twice a day because valacyclovir gave me an upset stomach.
11/24 stopped acyclovir
11/9 negative herpeselect 9 wks post exposure
11/22 negative herpeselect 11 wks post exposure
12/13 negative herpeselect 13 wks post exposure
12/28 negavtive herpeselect 18 wks post exposure
1/6 had pain, redness along left side of penis. I panicked and took 1g valtrex pill. Again pain went away within 1.5 hours
1/11 negative herpeselect 20 wks post exposure

I appreciate your help with this. Thanks in advance.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

The western blot is more sensitive for HSV 1 than the ELISA herpeselect.  
The only way to know if your infection is oral or genital is to have a symptom, have it swabbed and have it to positive.  A blood test can only tell you if you are infected or not - not where it is.  

Terri

[JasonBoBo]

Hi Terri,
I received my WB results 6 months from possible exposure.

I tested positive for HSV1 and negative for HSV2. I was relieved that I tested negative for type 2 but I am confused now because I am positive for type 1 when I tested negative for type 1 on multiple herpeselect tests through 6 months.

I'm confused now because I don't recall any coldsores or fever blisters on my lips.  Earlier in this thread, I described some symptoms on my penis.  Could this be type 1 on my penis? I did not see any lesions or sores on my penis, tenderness, redness and pain only.

Can you help me sort this out.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

No, I don't think the antivirals that you've taken and the periods of time that you've taken them for, requires retesting, based on that issue.  

Terri

[JasonBoBo]

I commented above on how much herpes meds I have taken over time. Terri and/or the other medical experts on this forum, should I retest based on the fact that I have taken antivirals?
Possible exposure 8/21
Valtrex 1g x10days start 10/9
Famvir 200mg BID start 10/23 stop around 11/24
Herpeselect test at 16wks, 18wks, 20wks, 23.5wks since exposure - all negative for type 1 and 2.

[JasonBoBo]

Yes but I'm still having pain and tenderness on my penis. I'm still so confused.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Still negative!

Terri

[JasonBoBo]

I had another herpeselect test at 23 wks 4 days post possible exposure HSV 1= .07 HSV 2= 0.20

I'm going to do a WB on Monday 2/7.

[JasonBoBo]

I was on valtrex 1g for 10 days, then famvir 250mg for about six weeks. I didn't take any meeds for about six weeks then I took one valtex pill 1g on Jan 6. I'm having pain and redness on the left side of my penis along the crown. I'm not taking meds at the moment. I'm going in today for a WB and I was hoping to talk to my urologist about a PCR swab of the red area.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Again, you've had so many tests, I think you probably don't need another test, except that you've taken herpes meds in there a few times, and I can't tell how much medicine you've taken.   Can you hold off on meds for now?

Terri