Test results and herpes chances...

[paranoid888]

Hi everyone. I have been stressing out (to say the least) for quite some time now...I had a single unprotected (damn that night!) encounter with a man who I've known for a long time but have no knowledge of his std status. He says he's clean but as I read, many people have herpes and don't know it.  So had this one time unprotected sex and about a month later I started developing some burning on vulva on one specific area.  Some days are better than others but some slight burning is always there (a month and a half now!) I was seen numerous times but nobody could really help me. I was tested for everything, from yeast to syphilis and everything came back negative. At 64 days past encounter I had the herpes type specific test and the results were  hvs 1negative hvs 2 negative.  The nurse also called and said the titers were considered normal (not sure what that means) but it could happen in the first couple of weeks of herpes...but I tested at 64 days....so I don't understand!
I am still really worried about this burning thing being herpes.  Should I retest ? What are the chances of this being herpes...should I have seroconverted by now? What does that mean that titers are considered in normal range? I am so scared  and confused and need some clarification  please :(

[gracefromHHP]

3 - 4 months post encounter is long enough to wait.

grace

[paranoid888]

thanks everyone... this man was the biggest mistake of my life, and yes, he's a loser and we are not currently in good terms. He defin. won't take any test and I found out that he's been going out with another girl since BEFORE our encounter.... and of course, he always refuses to wear condoms, which is what really concerns me! For various reasons, I haven't been able to pass by the PP and of course it seems impossible to reach them by phone.  I am worried sick (especially after finding out about this girl who I know nothing about) and at this point only another test will take away (or confirm:() my worries.  So I will have to wait a few more weeks. Any result at 12-14 weeks would be considered accurate or would I have to repeat the test in the future?
Also, what other conditions can cause a burning feeling almost always in the same spot?

Thanks a million for all the help and support!

[Mistakeguy789]

While I don't know the guy personally I would say he is pretty close to a loser.  I know how people can be about not wanting to test.  What they don't get and maybe their fear is that if they have something they have to tell people.  Why tell someone when you have denability.  

Like grace has said in the past not everyone is a walking STD.  I have known people and by people I mean MANY people that have had multiple partners and walked away with no STD's.  Complete strangers.  I say this because well my ex-wife was in the swinging lifestyle.  Of anyone that has mass amounts of sexual contact that is the community to be the most fearful of IMO.  However, remember not everyone has something.  

Depending on your talking terms to him and your financial ability offer to pay for his test.  Tell him it will take some time but it will be benefical to both of you.  Him for his own knowledge and your knowledge as well.  But if he won't do it nothing more you can do.  You more then likely got a type specific test.  But would follow what grace has to say.  :-)

[paranoid888]

oooppps typo....*seen not seeing

[paranoid888]

thanks for the replies and the tips. I will definitely try to get those numbers asap! I would be really upset if their test is not type-specific after they guaranteed it would be.  First they left a message (2 separate ones actually, one for hvs1 and one for hvs2) saying the test results were negative and then a week later someone actually called in person saying the numbers were in what is considered 'normal range' ... but I will pass by on Monday and try to get a copy of those results.  The guy is a douche bag and when I told him if he's clean he got upset and literally screamed at me that 'his d..k is clean!' Whether or not that's true I don't know, but I do know that he sleeps around :-( In my case, prior to this exposure I had no sexual activity for many months, so if I did get something, it is from this guy 4 sure.  
In regard of my problem, I tried putting pure aloe vera, baking soda bath and Vaseline, but nothing really majorly helped. It almost feels as if there is a cut that doesn't heal, but I can't really see it with a naked eye (but I guess that doesn't exclude the possibility of something really small being there! At this point I was seeing by 2 different people for a total of 4 times and I feel hopeless. I thought I could exclude herpes but now I have to re-evaluate everything:-(

[gracefromHHP]

also this is someone you've known for awhile. have you discussed it with him and told him that you've had some issues and ask him to get a full std screening, including herpes testing and share his results with you?

[gracefromHHP]

Call monday and ask to speak to anyone who can discuss your test results with you.  ask them to read them to you and write them down - ie hsv1 igg 5.5 and hsv2 igg .34 or whatever they are - so you can post them here for me.

I know it's a pain but if you are still having symptoms, returning monthly as needed is a good idea. if PP is at a loss, consider seeing a gyn for a further work up.

meanwhile are you trying anything for relief?  Try applying a diaper rash cream, aquaphor or zinc oxide to the area that bothers you too to try to moisturize as well as cut down on friction so you are irritating it less.  

grace

[Mistakeguy789]

Testing at 9 weeks and being negative isn't a bad sign.  As there is a chance and I believe Terri Warren (our Herpes Expert in the Expert forums) say 70% you will remain negative.  If I was a betting man (which I typically am not however, here recently I have been with my own family) I would take a 70% over a 30% chance any day of the week.

I am reminded of a quote from Grace (our CL and the best darn expert along with Dr. Hook. Dr. HHH and Terri) is not everyone is a walking STD.  You don't know this man even has it.  You haven't had any blisters and all you are saying is a burning feeling localized.  All you need to know is what test was preformed and what the values were.  I am sure if you call planned parenthood they will get you the results asap.  You may even want to drive there and see if you can get a copy of it.  They maybe able to give you a copy sooner then calling you back.  

[paranoid888]

Hi again...I don't have the numbers as I tried to call back the nurse but it's impossible to reach.  I asked for a type specific test and the planned parenthood guaranteed that they were gonna give me a type specific for type 1 and 2 so I don't understand...Now I really am worried! :(((((

[Mistakeguy789]

Hello,

Can you get the results of your IgG type specific test?  Posting those will help us.  

Titers is an older test that is not type specific and more like the usless IgM test run.  I don't believe that the test is accurate at all because its not a type specific which is the one you want run.  Typically the first signs and symptoms of Herpes show up 2-20 days later.  So this is little outside the window on a month later.  A burning senstation that has been present for a month is not typical of Herpes.  It is typical of something else.  Do you have any redness in the area of the burning?  

Your testing was done a little early at 9 weeks.  We encourage those to get tested at 12-16 weeks after possible exposure for the most accurate result.  Have you considered asking your partner to get tested just to be sure?  Most STD panels do not offer HSV as a test.  Ask him if he did have an HSV test.  As long as he had the test and no sexual encounters since the HSV test its safe to trust his results.