Herpes

[MrShaky]

I have just been diagnosed with Genital Herpes. I was curious how long the exposure takes to show up in a blood test?  I had possible exposure 10 days prior to the blood test. I notice a burning sensation within 10 hours of the sexual experience. No break out yet.  I am trying to figure out if it is possible for this to show up in blood that quick or if this is something I had for years without knowing.

[slacker101]

hmm, how were u diagnosed with Genital Herpes?

[MrShaky]

Blood Test

[slacker101]

Nah, the herpes you were tested for has been in you for a LOT longer than 10 days! What type of Blood Test? Sounds like you had an IGM Test done. The herpes that showed up I am suspecting is HSV1 which you probably had since you were a very young child since more than half of the population has it anyhow!! Not to worry! The burning sensation you had 10 hours after sex is NOT Herpes driven! Herpes would never show up less than 2 days at a minimum!! I think you are fine!!

[MrShaky]

A nurse called me an said I tested positive for herpes. I asked 1 or 2 and she said 2.
I still have the slight burning, but no eruptions. I will get more answers on Monday. This has been a tough 24 hours.

[gracefromHHP]

Call monday and ask them to read your test results back to you and write them down - ie hsv1 igg 4. 6 and hsv2 igg 3. 9 or whatever they were. That's the info we need for you to post here. If it was only igm testing - ask them to please call the lab and add on igg testing. The igm is not worthwhile and the igg is the only herpes blood test results you need to know at this point.

A newly acquired herpes infection is not going to show up in 10 days on the blood test. It also will not cause you to feel symptoms within 10 hours of infection either.

Have you ever had a herpes blood test before?

grace

[MrShaky]

Grace
I have never had a herpes blood test before so I am not sure if this is a new case or if I have had the HSV for a long time. I will have to wait until Monday to get the information.

Is there a special test that can determine if the HSV is a new infection? I thought I read that somewhere.

Thank you for your reply.

[slacker101]

You very well may have HSV2 and just never knew it!! We aren't saying you don't have HSV2 but the burning 10 hours after sex is not from Herpes!! Get the IGG Test and be done with it. I have a funny feeling she or someone screwed something up and you are HSV1+ in which case you are one out of 50% of the population so welcome to the club..

[gracefromHHP]

The herpes avidity test is a blood test available only from the U of washington that can tell if a herpes infection was acquired during the last 4 months or not. It's not fda approved and you'd have to pay for it out of pocket if you can get your provider to order it for you.  

Once I see your lab results monday I can better help you with some of this I hope.

grace

[MrShaky]

Thanks for the responses Grace and Slacker.

Here are my symptoms.
Slight warmth and irritation inside the penis. Does not hurt to urinate or ejaculate. Just a strange feeling that is not painful, more of an aggravation. I noticed this about 10 hours after. The follwing day I had a warm feeling in my scrotum and penis. This has been present for 14 days. When I have a full bladder the warm feeling is the greatest. After I urniate there is a slight discomfort inside the penis. I also notice warmth in my legs and feet a few days after the event. Now my wrist's feel warm. I know I must be a nut case.

The anxiety has been hard on me and I am a worry wart at times. I got a prescription yesterday to calm my nerves. I am also taking levaquin.  

Now into my history. I have had a few herpes like symptoms in the past. A few times in my life I had blisters on the base of my penis. The skin area where the abdomen transitions into the penis. They were always more of a large size, itchy and reddish in color. They would quickly scab over and heal. I personally felt they were related to roughness from sex and possible from hair getting yanked on. I have had clear small clear blisters on my penis at times, but I am pretty sure those are from a lack of lubrication and roughness.

I tested negative for syphilis, gonorrhea Chlamydia and HIV.

I know the last paragraph sounds like herpes, but does the first paragraph with my current symptoms indicate any herpes?

I am just want to go in informed when I see the dotor tomorrow.

[slacker101]

The last paragragh very well may be herpes for sure. Anytime someone has blisters on their genitals it is suspect. Herpes is the number one reason for genital ulceration. The first few paragraphs are not herpes. That sounds like pure nerves.

[MrShaky]

Thanks for the info Slacker. Many speak of tingling and burning, but I really don't know what to make of those symptoms. My genitals seem unusually warm with slight discomfort, but by no means painful. Monday can't come fast enough for me.

[MrShaky]

I have done a little more research that needs some validation.

Is it true that an IgM positive indicates a recent exposure but does not tell which type of herpes is present? It is my understand that IgM peaks at 2-5 weeks then will eventually leave your system until the next out break.

IgG takes 3 weeks minimum to show up in you blood and stays forever?

It is very important for me to determine if this is a recent exposure. Would it be safe to say that if I tested positive on the IgG 10 days after the event that it is highly probable that I had the condition already?

Determining if this was pre existing is very important to me moving forward in my currently strained relationship.

Again thanks for the insight you can provide.

[gracefromHHP]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/248394 ;  HHH says it better than I ever could.

grace

[MrShaky]

Ok I have some numbers.

IgG greater than 5.0

The Doctor says that unless I have a super unique immune system it is highly probable that this test result is not from a possible exposure 10 days prior.

I spoke with U of W and they do not offer the Herpes Avidity Testing to the general public.

They did recommend that I do the Western Blot test as this test is much more intensive than the IgG test and takes much longer after exposure to show a positive.

The thing that is very important to me is if this is a recent exposure.

[gracefromHHP]

If it's a hsv2 igg that was <5 then I wouldn't even bother with the WB or any further testing. I also agree that it means that you've had hsv2 for far longer than you ever suspected you might have it - at least a month if not more. You won't get an igg of over 5 in just 10 days.  

grace

[MrShaky]

Thanks for the info Grace. And to clarify is was hsv2 igg that was greater than 5.
I am waiting for the results from my partner to decide if I do the WB.

I worry too much as you can tell. Maybe I am a freak of nature and IgG produces quickly in massive levels without having a breakout. Then again I probably have a better chance of hitting the lottery. LOL

My doctor said in his professional experience he has never seen or heard of testing >5 in 10 days.

My PCP thinks the physical symptoms are psychological manifestations out of worry being this was an out of relationship screw up.

Now comes the valtrex question. If my partner is negative then it is obvious that I am not a major shedding risk after 10 years of unprotected sex, but I wouldn't want to spread it to her. We are just going to have to figure out what precautions to take. I have a strong suspicion she will test positive for hsv1 with the major cold sores she gets at times. Then we can be the complete top bottom package :-)

I thank you again for your insight.

This entire situation has created a major anxiety issue in my life.

[auntiejessi]

Your partner should test.  She could have it and not know it.

Then you can make decisions about meds.

Aj

[auntiejessi]

Oh and don't hesitate to get help for the anxiety if you need it.

Aj

[MrShaky]

Partner had blood drawn today and I have meds for the anxiety.
I am working on getting into a therapist fast as I don't like taking medications for anxiety.

[auntiejessi]

Good plan.  :)

Aj

[MrShaky]

Well my partner came back positive for 1 & 2. She doesn't have genital out breaks ever, but has had some huge oral blisters at times. I would assume there is no need to change our sexual activities. The doctor was going to give her a valtrex prescription. I would assume valtrex also works for an oral outbreak?

Now to anyone reading this that is have anxiety over possible herpes. I can tell you first hand I was freaking out that I caught something during my one time screwup. You can read my symptoms above. It was my mind playing terrible games on me and the damn internet doesn't help with all the conflicting info on various sites. We have had HSV2 for at least 10 years and had no idea.

[auntiejessi]

There isn't any reason to change your activities now, if you both have it.

I'm glad you are getting this all sorted out.

Aj