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Must know! - Herpes or not???!
Hello,
Thank you for considering my question.
A little over 4 months ago I had protected oral and vaginal sex with a sex-worker of unknown STI-status (although she said she didn't have anything, it's hard to take her word for face value). I did not see any visible sores on her, but I didn't really look hard. The encounter was fairly quick, and I immediately took a shower when finished.
Several days after the encounter, I began to develop one of the worst jock-itch rashes I've ever had between my legs and groin. The skin was very red and tender, burned at times, but no visible blisters or ulcers were present. I immediately freaked out and went to see a clinic doctor. He diagnosed it has a fungal infection, gave me a cream, and told me I had nothing to worry about. The rash slowly improved over time, but flared back up once and while. As I fought the rash with the cream provided, I developed additional symptoms off-and-on. Occasionally I'd get tingling and itching sensations in my groin, I developed a series of red bumps near my butt-cheek (not fluid-filled or painful, just red), and a secondary rash on my lower thighs and behind my testicles which lead to burning and flaking skin, but no cuts, ulcers, etc.
Throughout this process, I have been extremely scared and anxious. I have since seen 1 clinic doctor, 2 GPs, 4 dermatologists, and I have an upcoming appointment with a urologist. Each doctor has said no to herpes. The dermatologists have diagnosed me with jock itch, intertrigo, and pruritus scroti. All seem to be convinced that if I had herpes I "would know it," even though the CDC and other informational websites say herpes infections can be mild, go unnoticed, and can be confused with other infections. I have also had 5 HerpeSelect tests done - including one after the 4 month mark - and all have come back negative for HSV 1 and HSV 2. This brings me some relief, but I have also read that false negatives can occur, and that some people never develop detectable antibodies.
My close family members are convinced that this has developed into a psychological/behavioral problem, and I have since started seeing a psychiatrist. Still, my rash persists, and I am convinced there is something wrong with me. I have even developed an additional series of red bumps, not far from where the first ones appeared, near my butt check. I am going to attempt to have them biopsied this week.
My questions are:
1. Given my situation, what are the odds of having HSV 1 or HSV 2?
2. What is the likelihood of not being able to produced herpes antibodies, hence revealing false negatives on all my blood tests?
3. Would acquiring a Western Blot blood test help in determining my status?
4. How can I be 100% sure I don't have herpes?
Thank you so much for your time. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Thank you for considering my question.
A little over 4 months ago I had protected oral and vaginal sex with a sex-worker of unknown STI-status (although she said she didn't have anything, it's hard to take her word for face value). I did not see any visible sores on her, but I didn't really look hard. The encounter was fairly quick, and I immediately took a shower when finished.
Several days after the encounter, I began to develop one of the worst jock-itch rashes I've ever had between my legs and groin. The skin was very red and tender, burned at times, but no visible blisters or ulcers were present. I immediately freaked out and went to see a clinic doctor. He diagnosed it has a fungal infection, gave me a cream, and told me I had nothing to worry about. The rash slowly improved over time, but flared back up once and while. As I fought the rash with the cream provided, I developed additional symptoms off-and-on. Occasionally I'd get tingling and itching sensations in my groin, I developed a series of red bumps near my butt-cheek (not fluid-filled or painful, just red), and a secondary rash on my lower thighs and behind my testicles which lead to burning and flaking skin, but no cuts, ulcers, etc.
Throughout this process, I have been extremely scared and anxious. I have since seen 1 clinic doctor, 2 GPs, 4 dermatologists, and I have an upcoming appointment with a urologist. Each doctor has said no to herpes. The dermatologists have diagnosed me with jock itch, intertrigo, and pruritus scroti. All seem to be convinced that if I had herpes I "would know it," even though the CDC and other informational websites say herpes infections can be mild, go unnoticed, and can be confused with other infections. I have also had 5 HerpeSelect tests done - including one after the 4 month mark - and all have come back negative for HSV 1 and HSV 2. This brings me some relief, but I have also read that false negatives can occur, and that some people never develop detectable antibodies.
My close family members are convinced that this has developed into a psychological/behavioral problem, and I have since started seeing a psychiatrist. Still, my rash persists, and I am convinced there is something wrong with me. I have even developed an additional series of red bumps, not far from where the first ones appeared, near my butt check. I am going to attempt to have them biopsied this week.
My questions are:
1. Given my situation, what are the odds of having HSV 1 or HSV 2?
2. What is the likelihood of not being able to produced herpes antibodies, hence revealing false negatives on all my blood tests?
3. Would acquiring a Western Blot blood test help in determining my status?
4. How can I be 100% sure I don't have herpes?
Thank you so much for your time. I look forward to hearing back from you.
really no reason to think your jock itch was herpes. you way over tested for herpes too.
grace
grace
Hello,
I appreciate your reassurance. Just be be clear, I've only had one blood test that was after 4 months. The others were done at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 14 weeks. I'm not sure if that makes a difference...
I appreciate your reassurance. Just be be clear, I've only had one blood test that was after 4 months. The others were done at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 14 weeks. I'm not sure if that makes a difference...
You've had 5 tests past 4 months that have all come back negative. You do not have herpes. Seek professional mental help for your anxiety regarding this.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
