Negative with index value of 0.12 at 9 weeks after HSV 2 possible exposure

[Hroesvelg]

Hi. I know HSV 2 is transmitted through skin to skin contact with genital areas.

1. Would you consider the upper thigh ( limit with left buttock cheek) part of the genital area?

During a brief moment I placed my testicles on that area... There was not sexual intercourse... Just masturbated for about 3 minutes.. In which there where some brief moments when I brushed her thigh.

But we never got to rub each others genitals.

No sign of OB. Heard thick skin from there doesn't shed virus....

Also... At 9 weeks after exposure... I recently tested negative .. With a index number of 0.12..

2. If I had HSV 2, would you say the numbers could be higher perhaps than that?

And finally ... have had back pain for three months. Is More a chronic situation instead of being an acute one... Has gotten worse gradually... Haven't had any OB's.

3. Would this have anything to do with hsv2 ?

I would appreciate yor opinion

[HowardH]

Asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic infections occur in many people with or without HSV1. But this is irrelevant to you, since your blood test shows you don't have HSV2.

That is definitely my last comment. Read the other replies above and move on.

[Hroesvelg]

Sorry I am disturbing you again. This was something unexpected and I would love to hear your opinion about it. 3 days ago, after a routine self checkout, I accidentally scratch a follicule on my lower scrotum. Next day it was a little red with a tiny wound that would sting when exposed to alcohol ( I put a little on purpose to see if it was a wound). It has been 3 days and has now a little scab. Never looked like a blister. Went to doctor yesterday and a soon as she looked at it concluded that wasn't herpes.

I have read testimonies of some people who have  HSV1 and 2 ( l have HSV1 myself) who say have very mild HSV 2  OB's. So mild that won't even develop into blister or bumps. They see just tiny irritated 'cuts' and claim they clear fast.

How common is seeing HSV2 OBs that manifest this way? So mild? Mainly in people who also have HSV1?

You see my concern? I know I already have a negative result 4 months after exposure. And that relieves me a lot... Your words also give me confidence. But now with this thing I just noticed on my scrotum, and after reading those testimonies, fear is coming back again...

Please if you don't mind sharing with me your opinions about this scenario.

Now I can't stop thinking this is a HSV2 OB manifesting itself so mild due to my HSV1 condition.

[Fleetwood20]

You have been told this from a very experienced expert, it is time to move on wirh your life free of HSV2.

[Hroesvelg]

Great. Thx so much. Mr HowardH has been so kind of helping me with his knowledge. Would you also consider that 4 months should be enough time to wait for a conclusive test result?

Thx once again?

[Fleetwood20]

There are many and varied people here giving advice. Some have medical backgrounds, some have herpes and some are just widely read.

[Hroesvelg]

Thx once again for all your support. Just out of curiosity... How come you know so much about
This?

[Hroesvelg]

Thank you for your comments.

[HowardH]

"Would consider uncommon, rare ,that someone would get a positive result on the 5th or 6th month after exposure considering that he got a negative one 4 months after exposure like me?"

I've never seen that happen. Having HSV1 makes no difference in speed of HSV2 test positivity.

Move on. That's my last comment.

[Hroesvelg]

4 months even if my status is of HSV1 +?

Would consider uncommon, rare ,that someone would get a positive result on the 5th or 6th month after exposure considering that he got a negative one 4 months after exposure like me?

Thx for your help once again

[HowardH]

No need for further testing. 4 months is always long enough. Do your best to move on without giving herpes another thought.

[Hroesvelg]

Hello Sr. it has been a while and I recently tested again. This time would be 4 months after exposure. Results came Negative fortunately.  

Do think I require more test? Or would you think there's no need?

I heard somewhere that to be on the safe side, one should wait 6 months... But these test are so expensive ...

Would you think a negative result after 4 months from exposure is conclusive then?

Thx

[Hroesvelg]

I sincerely appreciate all your Mr. Thx a lot

[HowardH]

1) Yes, conclusive.

2) No worries. People are immune (or at least highly resistant) to new infections, anywhere on the body, with the same HSV type they already have. When both members of a couples have the same type, they do not "ping pong" their infections back and forth. For the same, auto-inoculation -- transfer of infection to a new body area -- is rare. It happens sometimes during the initial HSV infection, but rarely in people with longstanding herpes.

That should wind up this thread. Take care.

[Hroesvelg]

Hello. It's me again.l

1. Results at 12.7 weeks came back negative... What do you think? That is %90 conclusive correct? I hope

2. If both me and my girl are both oral HSV1, and she performs Oral on me.... Would I get HSV1 also on on genitals. Or once I have oral, it has a low chance to appear on genitals?

Would appreciate if you help me with that please?

[Hroesvelg]

Thank u so much sr.

[HowardH]

You should ignore differences in the numerical result, as long as it remains below the cut-off positive value. The chemistry and biology of the test results in such variation; it is not because "a little bit" of HSV antibody is present. In fact, if the exact same blood specimen were tested 10 times, it would give 10 different numbers, which could vary anywhere from say 0.10 to 0.9.

To the best of my knowledge, having HSV1 doesn't significantly change the time frame for HSV2 antibody.

[Hroesvelg]

Just a quick question....

1. Should I worry if numerical index values are higher on my next results ( 12 months after exposure) but still negative? I got negative 0.12 after 2 months. Should I worry, for example, if on next results I see a negative 0.5? Does that have anything to do with amount of antibodies being created? Or it doesn't have anything to do, and I just should assume that is negative.. Period.

2. Hsv 1 doesn't stop/slows down our system from creating antibodies for Hsv 2 correct? (Sorry I am asking again, just needed to confirm)

Thx so much for you assistance once again

[Hroesvelg]

Thx you so much for your help...

Thanks for clarifying that part about Hsv 1... So is the opposite then? If I had Hsv 2, then it would make it slower for my system to start creating antibodies for Hsv1? I appreciate all your help really..

Allow me to share with you the results of my next test.

Happy New Years!!!

[Hroesvelg]

I appreciate all your help. Thanks for clarifying the Hsv 1 situation. Is the opposite then ? If I had Hsv 2, it would make it slower for my system to create antibodies for Hsv1.  Plz let me share with you my final results within a few weeks...

You have been great help !!! You seem very knowledgeable about all this topic..

You have a great day and happy new year!!

[HowardH]

Your doctor is correct.

1) No; if anything, the opposite is true.
2) 12 weeks is 90-95% conclusive. 4 months is better.

That's my last comment until and unless you want to post a final test result.

[Hroesvelg]

Thank you so much for your help. On my first test, two months after exposure, it read negative like I mentioned before with a numeric index of 0.12. However I was surprised when the test also revealed that I am Hsv 1 positive... I recalll since I was a teenager I have had cold sores ( just one on upper lip) and during he last years I have had them again like twice .. That was it. The Doc told me if we ever had cold sores when kids, that was a sign of having oral herpes. But my final question is..

1. Is it true that having Hsv 1 makes it slower for your system to start creating antibodies for Hsv 2?

2. And if that so... how trustable would my test results at 12 weeks be? Should a final test at 4 months be more trustable perhaps in this case?

Thx so much

[HowardH]

"Does this sound like prodome?"  No, not at all. Prodrome is only an issue with recurrent herpes, not the initial infection. And prodrome means neuropathic (nerve) symptoms, which this doesn't sound like. And prodrome only lasts 1-2 days, after which lesions appear.

Herpestic urethritis is rare, and would have occurred within a week of catching the infection. Also, herpetic urethritis usually is extremely painful.

So I remain very confident you didn't catch HSV. I would have recommended against HSV testing in this situation. But since you have started down the testing path, I would advise one more IgG test at 3-4 months after the exposure. Based on all you say, I'm sure it will remain negative.

[Hroesvelg]

Thx..

Just one thing..

I have been feeling an irritatiing  sensation on the left side of my scrotum. First I was afraid.. Thought could be prodome. However I read that prodome do not occur on first Episodes but just during recurrent ones. And also that it last hours to a day before OBs show... However I have been feeling this for a month already..and this won't feel like tingling but irritation. I use boxers and nothing underneath.

1. Does this sound like prodome?

Also.. Since this started, I have been using an antibacterial soap to clean that area. And two weeks ago I started feeling also a slight irritation in urethra.
Doesn't burn when I pee though. Just ocassional feeling of irritation. It has been Two weeks already like I said..

2. I personally think this might be related perhaps with the irritant chemicals perhaps... But I can't quite stop being afraid about herpetic urethritis... Would this be posible since it has been already two weeks and it hasn't gotten worse, and there is no burning while peeing nor sores?

Also it has been three months already since possible exposure. Wouldn't herpetic urethritis happen within days after possible exposure? Plus...wouldn't penetration be requiered to get this kind of herpetic urethritis plus presence of sores in penile area? ( my supposed exposure was just placing my scrotum for a brief moment on tight)

Thx so much for our help once again

[HowardH]

Even at 9 weeks, your test would still probably be positive if you had caught HSV2.  You can be certain you don't have herpes.