Herpeselect HSV-2 test accuracy at 8 weeks post exposure

[Faith5282]

Hello, I had a recent high risk exposure to HSV -2. I was tested at 4 weeks and results as follows:
Herpeselect IgG negative .06 HSV-2
Herpeselect IgG negative .62 HSV-1
Herpes 1&2 IgM antibodies equivocal .99

At 8 weeks post exposure my results were:
Herpeselect HSV-2 .14 (still negative)
Herpeselect HSV-1 .62 ( still negative)

My concern is: did I test too soon? What percentage of people show true negative by 8 weeks post exposure?
I've had some symptoms since 4 weeks post : anal itching, redness, and mild pain, and just recently noticed a crusty cracked area in the skin around the labia. This cracked area is very small and is barely he size of a pore but nevertheless looks like it could be a sore.
Can anyone shed some light and facts on what I'm experiencing?
Thanks:)

[flow1987]

Another thing about anti-biotics: If you have been on several of them or you have used them over a long period, their effects could be more un-beneficial than they are beneficial. Anti-biotics decimate your stomach flora, and use of some anti-biotics long term or frequent use of any other kind of anti-biotics use can to other medical problems, like stomach problems, or even skin reactions.

I can speak personally as I have horrible anxiety, and I have been on 3 separate anti-biotics in the past 6 months (although each one was not taken any longer than 2 weeks), and as a result, my stomach is a mess, and I'm already having hereditary skin disorders present at nearly 24 years old! You can try and counter this by taking over the counter pro-biotics. I take a pill called "8 Billion Acidophilus & Bifidus" every day now to help regulate back in my stomach flora. You don't really need to use this pill for a long time, it is all up to you really. I am supposed to stay on it for 2 or 3 weeks. I am already noticing some improvement.

[Faith5282]

Thats a relief-thanks. I will definitely mention that to my gynecologist. Thanks again

[gracefromHHP]

your chlamydia and gonorrhea tests are accurate from then. so is trichomoniasis testing.

definitely get repeat yeast and bacterial vaginitis testing done as well as if they don't see either of them, ask if you have an overgrowth of "normal" lactobacillus in the vagina too.

[Faith5282]

One last question. When I was in the drs office the first time at (4 weeks post exposure) I had a full panel if STD tests (in addition to the type specific HSV1&2 which I repeated at 8 weeks with the HIV) . My question is could my symptoms be some other STD that didn't show up at 4 weeks?

[Faith5282]

Thanks for the responses. Yes, very helpful. I think in going to just make an apt with a gynecologist just to be sure. I've been on antibiotics quite a lot lately (about 4 months) and I know those can cause yeast to grow. Although, I've had yeast infections in the past and seem to remember having alot of discharge which I dont have now. It is reassuring to hear that it's rare for initial outbreaks to not cause painful weeping sores. I have most defiantly not had that severe of symptoms. More of what I'd relate to what a man would call jock itch ( but in the thong area) ....that is except the one little cracked 'sore'.
Thanks again :)

[flow1987]

Hello again Faith. I'm glad you came to the Herpes forum and posted detailed results of your herpes test.

First off, concerning the IgM tests:
I've heard gracefromHHP write plenty of times on the forum that Herpes IgM tests are not good tests. In fact, a post from 2 days ago written by her states: "The IgM Herpes test is a very flawed test, and current CDC recommendations do not recommend it be used at all." So your IgM result is not reliable to determine if you have herpes or not. Heck, I did an IgM test once, and I can tell you myself that the IgM test is crap.

Regarding the IgG: I hate to say this, but 4 weeks was too soon, and 8 weeks might be too soon as well, but I would say it might be accurate. Quoting petal130 in regards to HSV-2 testing: "3 months is the timeframe to wait since your last encounter for accurate testing." In my search for posts on MedHelp regarding the testing window and around the internet, I couldn't find anything lower than 3 months. I'm more familiar with HIV and bacterial STD testing windows and incubation periods.

When I say "timeframe", it means you can produce antibodies anytime during this period. Since this timeframe is 3 months, that is the longest it should take for your body to produce an Herpes IgG antibody. Some people could produce the antibody at 3 weeks, some people could produce at 5, 8, or maybe even 12. It all depends on the person.

But, like I said to you on the HIV forum, my doctor who is certified in diagnostics says that 6 weeks would be good enough result for my HSV-2 test. However, my test was a confirmatory blot, and it was done 4 months following my last encounter. Plus, we have people on these forums like gracefromHHP who are professionally educated when it comes to HSV, and their medical opinion probably outranks mine.

Regarding your symptoms: Anal itching, redness, mild pain, and cracked skin sound like they are dermatology related. I have had genital issues involving both my anus and my groin recently, and a urologist and my doctor have concluded they are dermatology related.  It is extremely rare for initial outbreaks to not accompany with extremely painful and weeping ulcers.

I hope this helped!

[gracefromHHP]

if you have symptoms, you need to go and be seen and get a proper exam. getting tested for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally too is a good idea based on your description of symptoms.

many people who have contracted herpes will have seroconverted at the 8 week point but not all. the risk from a one time encounter is very low in general so up to you if you feel it's even worth any additional testing or not.

grace