Could this be herpes?

[scaredfe87]

Ok I did engage in protect sex Memorial Weekend no oral just straight sex.

Around Wed I notice these clear bumps on my lips. The next day I tried to go the the doctor but none would see me, I ended up going to the ER and the doctor told me not to worry and if it was herpes it would be yellowish crust and it looks like a normal scab on my lip. I dont know if i believe him though seems like he was just trying to rush me out. I did buy abreva to use and when I did put it on it burned and stung. I have stop using it and now putting aloe on this scab.

So is this oral herpes? I have a test coming up next thur...but I am a bit scared?

any chances its not.

[gracefromHHP]

your test was a combined test which was a total waste of time and money and tells you nothing :(

[scaredfe87]

Hello Grace

Its nice to see your back. I will wait to get tested.

What do you think about the results I posted?
And what about that ASSAY test is it accurate?

[gracefromHHP]

you need to wait.

should you get a return of your symptoms, be seen by your regular provider for an exam and lesion culture .

grace

[scaredfe87]

Ok I will go for the type specific test. But would it be smart to go in so early (as in tomorrow) or should I wait the 3 mth?

[Mistakeguy789]

The test appears to be a combined test which isn't helpful at all.  Sad that PP is giving that test.  In this case wait for grace to make a response but I would say that it shouldn't be trusted at this point you need a type specific test to know which if either type of HSV you have.  

[scaredfe87]

I feel that way too. I've been doing a lot of reading and finding myself a bit more educated about this whole thing although I can't find a lot of infomation in simple enough terms for me to understand.

I feel this forum is great way to help people educate themselves as well as get answers.

I will wait for one of the experts to chime in...so I will know what I should do as my next step.

[Birka123]

It looks like a combined test to me, if this is all there was to your results. Combined tests are not reliable and you should test with a type specific Igg to really know your  status. definitely wait for Grace to chime in though, as I am no expert but feel like I'm getting there with all the reading I've been doing lately :). Don't assume anything yet.

[scaredfe87]

I think I'm just going to take this positive test just for what it is.

Thank you guys for all your help.

[scaredfe87]

Ok so I went to PP to get my lab results and that in itself was a hassle. They had no clue what I was asking for and continusly gave me the wrong thing.

I've got a letter from them yesterday which stated in big bold letters YOU TESTED POSITIVE FOR HERPES.

I ask them not to send anything to that address because my privacy is an issue there and they told me we don't send any letters out so I showed them and they told of the Dr. Office sent it out not them. But yet it had their logo all over it and the return address was to their office.

So I handed them that letter and ask for the medical records in regards to that. After a few mins of trying they told me well what is it that you want, the letter says it all mami. What is it you want us to do?

I ask its there anything that's says igg igm or hsv? So they gave me a print out and it say:

Name:

Hsv 1/2 igg ASSAY

Value:

Positive

Reference Range:

Negative H

Results:

Positive


I haven't heard or came across a HSV ASSAY test. Is it reliable? I also have a feeling that the place I found may do the same type of testing. I've decided not to go to that place but instead go to the place in which the guy I was with got tested.

[Mistakeguy789]

The science involved in the human immune system is difficult to explain and really for most of us not important.  The facts are that the IgM test is unreliable and can cross react with other things.  Our immune system is a complicated system.  

For your fear of testing don't you think it is silly to not know but continuously live in fear that you have soemthing?  In your case you ignoring it won't make it go away.  It won't make you negative if you are infact positive and it won't make you positive if you are in fact negative.  There is NO way to know your status.  Don't you think that it would be smart and responsible of you to get tested?  I would think so.

[scaredfe87]

I have found a place that does IGG testing. But I'm unsure if I want to go because I'm afraid of having a positive result.

I plan to go to PP toady to get my medical records and I will take things from there.

[scaredfe87]

I didn't see the paperwork for my self. But I will ask him again if its said igg. Thanks for your response.


But may I ask a question. Why is there such a high false positive rate for igm test or non spefic type test? Is there another reason for the body to produce igm antibodies?

[Mistakeguy789]

Please wait for grace to look over and give you feedback on the results. Does the paperwork say igg on it next to the test name?

[scaredfe87]

He said his results were

HSV1 <.91

HSV2 1.13

I asked him where did he get tested so I can go.

[gracefromHHP]

You can get same day results depending on how far away the clinic is from the lab. they also have 20 minute tests but in the US they are only for hsv2, not hsv1.

[scaredfe87]

Ok the person I was with got tested and he said he was negative.

This made me a bit happy but uneasy at the same time.

He said he got tested today and got the results the same day. Hummm =/

I forgot to ask him what test he got done. I was half aslp when he called and now he won't pick up. =(

Is it ok to assume that I'm negative since he is?

I'm pretty sure its a no.

I will try to get his paper work and see for myself.

I still plan to get tested again maybe soon maybe 3 mth.

[gracefromHHP]

actually you can not assume it's hsv1 you have if your non-type specific comes back + but your hsv2 comes back negative. That's actually malpractice to do that because of the high false positive rates of the non-type specific tests. If you want to know your hsv1 status, you need specifically tested for it.

[scaredfe87]

Ok I gave a call back to the actual person who saw me and she told me they ran a non-type specific test then ran one for hsv-2 since the non-specific was positive and concluded it has to be hsv-1.

I will try to get my records though. Im going to try not to fret to much and still err on the side of extreme caution since I had what I think was an cold sore and I do have a positive test. I will get tested again in 3 mth time (maybe someplace different) and go from there i guess.

I truly wish to thank both of you for your input. It has really help me out a lot and will try to continue to educate myself on this (at least I know if I have any questions who to go to.)

Thanks a lot!

[gracefromHHP]

HIPAA rules mean that you have every right to 100% access to all your medical records and test results. I recommend going to the clinic and asking for a print out of your herpes test results. If they say they can't give them to you, ask to speak to the clinic manager and make sure you let them know you you know your HIPAA rights and will report them if they don't.

most PP only do the non-type specific test which isn't worthwhile. Others do the non-type specific and then test for hsv2 only if the non-specific is positive. some do the herpeselect. It differs from clinic to clinic.

[scaredfe87]

I tried to get a copy of my medical records and PP told me they cant give it to me! Also when I asked them what kind of test did they run to say I was positive (I assume it was igg since she said positive for type 1 and negative for type 2) I got a curt we don't do that type of testing here. I told her thats impossible because I was just tested there. And it just lead to a back and forth until I hung up.

what test could they have possible ran? And is there a chance at a false positive? I'm trying not to worry but it just gets to me here and there.

[franklinandbash]

You're taking this extremely serious. Hsv 1 is extremely common. No way to know if you have had it a long time or just got it recently. You could have have it most of your life and not known. No need to kick yourself over it. If you have oral sex make sure he wears a condom to eliminate risk of hsv1 genitally  

[scaredfe87]

Ok I got my results back last Friday and it was positive for hsv-1

I don't know numbers or what not but the doctor said this test shows that I've been exposed to hsv-1 but that doesn't mean I have oral herpes...

I did a lot of reseach before I got tested so I know if you show antibodies it means you have it

But I did call her to get some answer well I was mostly scared paranoid ashamed and all negative feelings associated with it she just absolutely refuse to say you have herpes just kept saying oh you've been expose to it. I'm guess this is done to keep people from feeling like I did.

She also said only way to tell is if I have a swab done and what I had explain to her didn't sound like an outbreak blah blah blah

I will call again to get the exact numbers so I know where I stand if its a false postive or what not....I told the person I was with and told him to get tested and tell the people he's been with as well.

I'm still a wave of emotions I actually stayed in this weekend to just kinda cope and wrap my head around it.

Any info that you guys can pass along will be greatly apperciated.

Also I do have plans to have a big weekend with someone and it most likey would involve sex I told him about my status and he's fine with it any precaution I should take?

Thanks

[franklinandbash]

try not to stress so much...there are people out there who are going through the same thing you are.  I have to wait 2 months to retest for HSV2 (not fun).  Stressing and worrying will only make it worse.  You can't go back in time and fix this, so why worry? You'll be ok and if you need more support send me a message.

[scaredfe87]

so I shouldnt freak out to much? I've been a wreck since...and not having a definite answer is not helping. But thanks alot for your input it does make  me feel a bit better. I will still keep my appt for Thur though and make another 3 months from now.