What is my next step??

[gwdguy]

My question is multi part because it is very confusing so I will do my best to be very clear.


Nov 5th possible exposure to "STD" (1st time sex with anyone after 22 years with the same person)
Nov 9th I noticed two very itchy red bumps on my penis base. (thought ingrown hair)
Nov 11th went to regular family doctor he said may be herpes gave me Acyclovir 800mg X 5 times ed X 10 days.
Nov 15th had several more bumps, end of the week called doc he said since not getting better maybe "crabs"
Nov 18th, 19th, 20th did three days of Rid hoping it was just lice (burned the crap out of my penis) :(
Nov 25th or so started to clear up but still itchy and red so took IGM Herpes test came back .91
Around that same time I got swollen lymph nodes in groin both side (multiple nodes). ALSO got rash across chest like really bad acne, itchy.
Doc gave me Doxycycline 100mg BID for 14 days and said I could have folliculitus sp? and that could explain swollen lymph nodes.
Chest cleared up after 20 days (I refilled script and kept taking), Lymph nodes still hurt but not as bad.
Dec 3rd took IgG (Elisa) test, took lab 10 days to get results, they SAID it takes that long DLO was the lab. Test came back Positive for HSV-2.
Cleared up very well but got ONE new bump two days ago even-though I have been taking Acyclovir at high dose 800mg 4-5 times per day this whole time.

My question is this;
One should I retest to make sure the lab did not screw up?
Two, if I AM positive should I take Valterex every day or only when I get a break out OR when I know I may have sex with someone? I was reading that taking high dose for 2-3 days before having sex lowers the chance of passing it. I WILL be informing all partners so not trying to hide it. :)
Three if I take Valtrex am I keeping my body from fighting and making it worse or is it better to take every day. I really don't want to pass this one to anyone but I am a very fit, active man that can't not have sex for the next 50 years.

Need some direction because I have yet to talk to a local doctor here that can answer any questions. I feel I know more than the doctors I have talked too, most did not know that there were different Herpes tests.. ugh!

Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

the immunoblot is almost the same as the testing you had done.  the same false positive issues go with it.  you need the WB. If your provider uses quest labs it's test # 34534 at most of their labs. it's a send out so they might have to call about it.  Otherwise you can have the WB test kit sent to you or your doctor's office, have the blood drawn and sent from your local lab or the clinic you are seen at.   http://depts.washington.edu/rspvirus/herpes.htm

[gwdguy]

No she was not tested for HSV1 at all did not think there would be a reason too but of course want to make sure we are doing the right things.

Also since I can't seem to get an answer from my doctor on this stuff we used this website on the other tests http://requestatest.com

Is this test >> http://requestatest.com/herpes-12-igg-immunoblot-testing you would recommend for the WB or do I need to do that exact one because I can't seem to find anyone that offers the WB at all.

Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

was your partner also tested for hsv1 also?

[gracefromHHP]

your partner will also need to confirm her low positive with additional testing. a herpes Wb is the best test for this.  It's never a bad idea for anyone with a hsv2 igg under 5 who can't recall any symptoms for genital herpes to confirm their status because of the potential false positive issues with the herpes tests.  

[gwdguy]

http://img573.imageshack.us/i/results.jpg/

Copy of results for clarification

[gwdguy]

Quick update. My partner in crime that had exposure at the same time as me (so we are looking about 8-10 weeks out). got an igg elisa test and it came back this morning at a positive for HSV-2 at a reading of 3.8.

She has had NO symptoms at all which I understand that many do not have any.

Do we just leave this as is and say we are done and what do we do next? Can you point us to where more info on using Valtrex will help us or hurt us. What is our best methods to avoid lowering the chance of passing this on to someone else. I know nothing is 100% but if it can be passed with no symptoms that means we can never be with anyone again since there is no way to be sure.


Thanks

[gwdguy]

Thanks so much.. My partner in crime also had a blood test yesterday and is doing a type specific igg so we shall see what her tests come back as but she has had zero symptoms but I know that means nothing at this point.

I will post when the next update happens.

Thanks!! This is pretty scary for us both.

[gracefromHHP]

you want a type specific herpes igg blood test done. at this point I'd wait another 2-6 weeks and repeat with a different test to check for a false positive.

PP should do lesion cultures of active symptoms.  Your regular provider can do them too - just be insistent that they do it and not just a visual diagnosis/guess again.

preaching to the choir about herpes testing and support as I'm sure you already know. Thankfully there are good places online to seek out info and support to make up for the  lack in your area :)

[gwdguy]

I called the place that did the test and they said the first test was a .91 so they recommended I do a ELISA test and that does not get a value but did come back positive. I am more confused now because I thought the first was IgM and the second was IgG but now??

I am about what 10 weeks from the initial contact so what test should I be doing or do I wait for a breakout and get a culture test.. Heck I am not even sure where to get that done the local health department is impossible to get into, the planned parenthood place won't give any answers.

For a virus that is so common I thought there would be better support in the community the size of Oklahoma City. :(

[gracefromHHP]

I can best help you if you call the clinic and ask for the numeric results of your hsv2 igg blood test - e.g. hsv2 igg 5.4 or whatever they are. that way I can see if you have a chance of a false positive or not.

stop taking acyclovir if you are still taking it.  if you get new symptoms, be seen within 48 hours of their appearance for a lesion culture and typing. It's still too early for definitive blood test results if this is a newly acquired infection so lesion cultures of symptoms are your best course of action.  Your provider you saw originally did you a great disservice by just throwing acyclovir at you ( in the wrong doses at that ) without also doing a lesion culture!  It's actually against CDC herpes testing recommendations and poor medicine in general in this day and age.

no, taking high doses for 2-3 days prior to sex does not lower the risk of transmitting herpes to someone!!! That is completely erroneous information. beware of inaccuracies on many websites/blogs/message boards!  

also do not put anything at all on your genital area at this point. No neosporin, calamine lotion or anything of that sorts ( as was recommended last month on the derm forum to you ). you've irritated the heck out of the lil guy and he needs to heal without further irritation.  If anything some cornstarch based powder to soothe and protect him before getting dressed might be helpful.

grace