Still dealing with symptoms

[confusedraven]

Hello Terri,
I have had a lot of anxiety the past couple of years trying to figure out if I actually have herpes from an encounter (see post history).  In summation, I have come back negative on igg tests for both HSV 1 & 2, negative western blot, and now a negative pcr swab.  I set the swab up through the clinic and had an active sore on my mouth which I swabbed.  To make a long story short, check out the picture below.  This is what I swabbed and received a negative result.  I have had about four of these outbreak over the last four years.  Can this be anything but HSV 1?  The symptoms present classically, but I have been repeatedly told I should not worry as I do not have herpes.

http://imgur.com/n6Z180i

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

The Abreva may have interfered with the swabbing, yes.  I didn't know you were using an antiviral cream at the time you did the swabbing.  

I think, for now, you could assume that you have HSV 1 orally, for the practical purposes of living.  I don't feel that you need to say anything about genital infection as I'm far less clear about that with no picture to evaluate..  then have the test kit available for the next time you get one, and definitely don't put anything on the lesion.  Abreva isn't terribly effective anyway, but could interfere with the test results most certainly.  

I know this uncertainty is difficult.  Maybe if you just decide that you are going to believe you have oral herpes unless proven otherwise, you can have some focus.  So many people do, you are certainly not alone if you are truly infected.

Terri

[confusedraven]

Should I just forget about the swabbing and assume I have HSV-1 orally?  I'm not sure where to go from here.  

[confusedraven]

My previous doctor told me that is was an ulcer.  An ulcer, really?  It always occurs in the exact same spot, starts a small red bump, then opens to the sore you see in the picture.  It lasts around a week.

I was not on any anti-viral medication when I swabbed, only abreva was put on it.  Do you think maybe I should try a Western Blot again, maybe it just took awhile for anti-bodies to develop?  The problem with the swab is that I could have to wait a year, maybe two, maybe three for another oral outbreak.  I have gone 4 years without any closure, just being told nothing is wrong when you can clearly see there is something is going on.  It also opens up my anxiety about genital HSV-1, because those were my initial symptoms, which have recurred over the last four years.

I just cannot find any closure.  I mean what does my conversation with a partner sound like... I may have herpes, maybe oral, maybe genital.  I've been testing for four years with negative results, but things are still unclear... Frustrating.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

You are right, it does look like herpes to me.  But I suppose it could be something else.  I think the only way to get clear about this is to swab when the lesion is at its newest without any antiviral medicine.  If you want more swabs just call and ask the office.  

Terri

[confusedraven]

I was only sent two swabs.  I used both of them during this past occurrence (swabbing the fluid) and sent them in.  The WH Clinic told me they came back negative.  I do not have any more vials/swabs.

Based on the negative testing, I'm not sure what I can do, but you can see from the picture that it definitely looks like a herpes lesion.  It causes additional anxiety because my first symptoms were in my genital area, awoke to a painful stinging and then bright redness.  This was 3 days after a sexual encounter.  A week after the genital problems I had my first oral outbreak.  Since then I have had countless tests, all negative.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

How many times have you sent a PCR to be analyzed to the clinic?  Are you able to break the blisters that are there and soak up the fluid into the swab?  Do you have more swabs and vials?

Terri