Symptoms But Negative HerpeSelect

[buckmulligan]

Hi,

I had unprotected sex once last December '08 and six weeks later I noticed a sore on my penis shaft that looked like an abrasion.  There was no burning or itching.  It went away but came back a few weeks later in the same place, looking more like a typical herpes ulceration.  At that time I also felt noticeably fatigued for a couple days.  Again the sore disappeared in a few days.  Since then, it's reappeared a few times, as have ulcerations elsewhere on the shaft.  I've also had general discomfort in my testicles and between my penis and anus.  The ulcerations are brought-on by heavy drinking and masterbation (masturbation).

I had a culture test done on the recurrent sore at the original spot.  It was negative.  (But the specimen was taken more than a few days after the sore had appeared.)

I was told that my HerpeSelect blood test was negative for HSV1 and HSV2, although my doctor didn't mention any numbers associated with the test.  The blood was drawn recently -- eight months after the sex, and I've had no exposures since then.  

Considering the symptoms, I don't believe the negative results.  My question is, what tests should I have next?  More cultures?  Another HerpeSelect test?  A western blot?  My doctor has recommended more cultures, but not another blood test.

Thanks,
B
    

[inthedark06]

same thing happened to me-- I had 2 lesions ( I am female so a bit different location) and had a culture done 3 days after they started then had a type specific blood test done.  They were both negative.  I dont trust my result either.  Just sympathizing. best luck

[buckmulligan]

thanks.

[needsomeinfo50]

Is it possible that the combination of heavy drinking and masturbation is simply leading you to be less gentle with yourself and create lacerations on your penis?  Frankly, if it's been 8+ months and all tests are still negative, I would think that you would be negative.  But I'm no doctor.

[buckmulligan]

Ha.  No.  I should've written "heavy drinking or masterbation (masturbation)".  I tend to do them separately.

Thanks for the comment, though.

B

[petal130]

Quite honestly your frequent coming and going of symptoms is not at all indicative of herpes. And, your testing has shown that. Symptoms appear as well anywhere from 2-20 days after exposure - you had them at 6 weeks. Also, "flu-like" symptoms are associated with a primary herpes outbreak, not subsequent ones. Why don't you believe the results? You in fact admitted that the ulcerations are from masturbating (try lube)...

[buckmulligan]

Thanks for your comments.  I don't believe the results for a few reasons:

i) the ulcers look very herpes-like
ii) i've never had them before, only after this one sexual encounter
iii) they've appeared sans masterbation (masturbation) (a hobby, it's true, but not an excessive one)
iv) i've read that HerpeSelect, while good, misses ~1 in 20 people
v) i don't have syphillis, if that test is to be believed

You make a good point about the flu-like symptoms being most associated with a primary outbreak.

I agree that whatever it is hasn't presented like a typical, full-fledged HSV-2 infection with a quickly-appearing primary outbreak, followed by distinct episodes of flare-up, but I've read that most cases present with more subtle symptoms, like occasional uclers and/or breaks in the skin, which is consistent with what I'm seeing.

I guess what I was most wondering out-loud about is whether there's a standard "next step" after one negative HerpeSelect test for someone with suspicious symptoms.  If I wasn't so very interested in dating a particular person at the moment, I wouldn't be so concerned.  I'd just wait a while and get tested again down the road if it didn't resolve.

B

[gracefromHHP]

At this point I recommend just the next time you have symptoms, going to be seen that day or the next and getting them looked at and cultured and typed again if the provider feels that they are due to herpes. They could also be fungal or bacterial as well as just plain ole irritation. even if you do masturbate fairly regularly, our genital skin is very sensitive so it doesn't matter that typically you don't get rashes from it - it can happen. Also as was already suggested - be kind to the lil guy and use a good lube for masturbation too :)

Could you be one of the 2% who won't test accurately on the herpes blood tests for hsv2? Well you could be but at this point you need to be assuming you tested accurately and be pursuing other causes.

grace

[buckmulligan]

Thanks for the advice.  The little guy and I will likely be visiting the doctor again.

B