confuswed

5 months ago I had protected sex with a stripper and ever since I've had nothing but issues, my penis has been aching me, I've had swollen lymph nodes, I duno what's wrong with me, I was tested many times for hiv which all have came back neg even 5 months later, stds negative. I have some redness around my testicles no blisters or anything just a little pain that comes and goes, a little red ring around the head of my penis. docs have seen it an say its normal, I've had blurred vision for about 3 months and lately I've been having swelling in my gums. Is it possible for me to have herpes and not have an outbreak this long after? Plus are these symptoms of it? I'm just getting worried cuz I've been seeing a little bit of redness/swelling right near my waste line, I don't know if its going to turn into an outbreak or this is just irritation or like an ingrown hair. Please help.

[jj214]

I'm sorry I forgot to mention some things, instantly after having protected vaginal sex only I had tingling and burning after which lasted for about 3 weeks. My swollen lymph nodes are in my neck, I've seen a uroligist, a dermatoligist and many family doctors which have all seen my penis but never mentioned herpes. My blood has been tested and my white blood cells and red blood cells were normal. I've been under tons of stress in the past and I would think a break out would have happend a lot sooner then now. Please help. I have a girl friend who I only make out with would there be a chance of giving it to her thru my saliva, even thought I never had any type of oral with the stripper?

[gracefromHHP]

you've already asked about this on the std forum and received replies as well as all your questions on the hiv forum.

this was protected sex. the odds of this being a std are incredibly low. you've been seen and no one thinks it's much of anything going on.  You've had std testing done. did you  have herpes testing done as a part of that?

grace

[jj214]

That's y I'm asking because I figured being tested for std's was all std's, but now I'm asking my docs and they're asaying they didn't test me for herpes. But I am very concerned about my girlfriend who I only give oral, if I di did have herpes from having sex with the stripper would I be able to pass it to my girlfriend by giving her oral? I am going to test for herpes soon. I've never had any kind of outbreak though.

[gracefromHHP]

it's not likely you contracted herpes from a one time protected encounter.

if you only have genital herpes, you can't transmit that by performing oral on a partner.

[jj214]

Ok thank you so much grace, I will be going to the doctor this afternoon and doing blood work to find out what is wrong with me. I was really worried because my girlfriend has been sick with a cold and cough lately. Thank you again and god bless.

[gracefromHHP]

it's cold and cough time of year. no reason to think it's anything other than that.  herpes doesn't cause cold or cough symptoms when you contract it.

don't confuse guilt with risk.

[jj214]

K thanks again Grace I will keep you updated with my results, I really hope the doctors could figure out the problem.

[jj214]

Ok so today my butt has been hurting, i thought it was just kind of sore from running til the pain moved a little. Myy anus has felt kind of weird as well. I'm having some pain right as my crack starts below my back and i have looked and seen a couple red bumps starting to show up. This really has got me worried, i just dont understand why this would be happening now. After all the stress I had been under in the past months when someone mentions herpes i go and test for it and it seems like it shows up before i get my results. Would it make sense for herpes to start showing up on my crack area when i had vaginal protected sex? I would think it would show up on my testicles first since that was where all my redness was at. please help really scared.

[gracefromHHP]

if you have new symptoms then you need to follow up on them monday with your provider.

[jj214]

So I've been waiting on my herpes results n I called the doc today, they said they would call me back because they were busy, they called back n asked to come in because the doc wants to talk about it. Would not give me my esults. I'm really afraid, I do feel things happening with my butt n anus. Please help n pray its not true.

[kiteflier]

i am having similar feeling...hope your results turn out ok...i would be interested if you would follow up after your appointment...goodluck!

[jj214]

So I got the bad news today an I knew it would be true, I have hsv 1 and 2. My test results were herpes 1 igg 4.79, herpes 2 igg 0.28, herpes 1 igm 0.76, herpes 2 igm 2.64. I don't know what to do, I'm hating my life right now. I had it so good I had the best girlfriend who I'm so afraid to lose. The doctor told me by my test results that I got herpes 2 within the past month, but I have no had sex in over 5 months. Could these results be positive. He wasn't worried about my herpes 1 he said I've had that for a while an I guess its common. Please help.

[gracefromHHP]

so why is this bad news?

your hsv1 is + as most adults is.

your hsv2 is -.

the herpes igm is a greatly flawed test and you should totally disregard its results.  you haven't had sex in 5 months so your igg testing is accurate. It's your igm testing that isn't. It's unfortunate that your provider is under educated on herpes igm testing :(

[jj214]

Ur saying I don't have it?

[jj214]

Let me make this clear again there were 4 results herpes 1 IGG = 4.79, herpes 2 IGG = 0.28, herpes 1 IGM = 0.76 and the final herpes 2 IGM = 2.64. The 2.64 is what scares me.

[petal130]

Disregard the IGM results - it is a flawed test and your provider should not be using it to diagnose herpes. There are many posts on the expert's herpes and STD forum that reiterates this over and over.

Your IgG test results, as Grace stated, show you are positive for HSV1 and negative for HSV2.

[jj214]

The doctor even said that my herpes was recent as in the last month, an I told him I have not had any sexual partners in any way within the past 5 months, he was a family doctor who prob doesn't see this much. But what should I do? Retest in a few months? I'm hearing a lot about igg is accuarte and igm is not worth usuing, I have never had an outbreak of any kind.

[petal130]

Nope - no further testing needed. Your doctor is incorrect. Your IgG was done well enough past your last sexual encounter, and it shows negative.

I grabbed three posts form the expert's forum - there are many of them in regards to the flawed IgM

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/IgM-Combination-Test/show/247837

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Blood-Test-Results/show/512169

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/HSV-Blood-test-results/show/340037

[jj214]

I really do hope you guys are right, I've done a lot of searching online and seen that people don't care much for the IgM test. I have some friends of the fam who are doctors and know my situation, ill be talkin to them as well. Wouldn't over 5 months after exposure be enough time for IgG to detect it?

[Still_Worried_]

Yes, Grace & Petal are correct about the flawed IgM.  5 months after exposure is typically more than enough time to detect it.   Go celebrate your negative status!   =D

[gracefromHHP]

unless folks are doing the research into the herpes igm tests to know the flaws of it, they aren't going to be as familiar with it as we are here.  Terri Warren, HHH and EWH are all actively involved in herpes research as well as have a peer group that is actively involved and up to date on things. Our info on medhelp in the std expert forum, herpes expert forum and anything here I especially post is always up to date and accurate. We work very hard to communicate together to keep things that way so that folks like you are getting the very best and most accurate advice!!!

grace

[jj214]

Thank you all who have helped. So I spoke with a doctor who is a friend of the family who actually tested me for HIV when I was going through that moment of thinking I had it, He told me i should have not of even tested for Herpes since i did not have any signs of it. I also spoke to another doctor who tested me for HIV as well and his words were that he was real upset that my doctor who tested me for Herpes used those titers what ever that means. I called my doctor again told him about all the research I had done online about the IgM test and how people are telling me to disregard its results, He said he wants to test me again in another three months to see what comes up. I cannot lie I am not totally convinced that I do not have herpes, I'm just still confused. For the past couple of days i've noticed a few red pimples/dots on upper buttocks, one is right between the crack, they have not been real painful but i can feel them as i do my daily things, theyre more of an ache. Is this herpes? and would herpes start in that location before it would actually start on my penis or testicles? I'm really confused, should i test again or was 5 months more then enough time for my IgG to catch it. I don't mean to bother you guys again but i just need some more help.  

[Still_Worried_]

5 months is more than enough time.  Most people test positive within 3 months.

Your pimples sound like pimples.  We all get pimples and bumps in those areas; totally normal.

You're fine, sweetie.

[gracefromHHP]

if you have new symptoms you need to follow up on them.

only a small percentage of folks take longer than 5 months to seroconvert. It's not likely this is herpes going on and it's really not worthwhile to do more testing in 3 months.

[jj214]

Thanks Grace, you really do give me healing and comfort your truly an Angel. I have been having really bad burning pain in my penis, especially towards the tip and its starting to look like it may be changing color a bit, I'm trying so hard to convince myself about that I do not have it, its just that every day i worry that I am going to have some kind of lesion or outbreak especially with this pain. What should i do from here, I do want to test again for more closure but should I only test using an IgG Type Specific test? Avoid the IgM tests correct? I still need help.

[gracefromHHP]

if you have new symptoms, you should be seen thursday for them. ask for a pcr swab of them to look for herpes. pcr can be done without obvious blisters to break.

[jj214]

Is a pcr test pretty accurate or is that something that could come back with more false positives?

[gracefromHHP]

the pcr lesion culture is pretty accurate if done in a timely manner ( within 48 hours of the appearance of symptoms ).

[jj214]

I think I'm just going to wait another month or so and retake the IgG test only, that IgM test really got me worried I wish the doc told me more info about it, he also mentioned that people should test for HIV up to a year and a half after possible exposure, is this guy nuts or what?

[jj214]

And what type of doctor do you think I should test with? I want to see someone who is more familiar with herpes testing, I'm debating on seeing a dermatologist or a urologist.

[gracefromHHP]

a specialist isn't the better choice for testing most times.  If you get your regular provider to test you, I can help you with the test results.

[jj214]

K thanks Grace I appreciate the help, I do believe the IgG is the most accurate test for my situation since i have not had any outbreaks lesions or anything other then the pain and redness. Should i just go for the IgG test and avoid the IgM? I will probably wait a few more weeks which will make it 6 Months I just hope I'm not one of those people who takes longer then the 5 months to produce antibodies.

[gracefromHHP]

correct - if you need the peace of mind of more testing just wait 1 more month , get the igg and then no more testing for herpes.

[jj214]

K thanks Grace, I just also spoke to a doctor whose a friend of the family and she said that 5 months should be more then enough time to show up in IgG, she also mentioned the flaws of the IgM test, she told me to come see her in 3 months and we will do an IgG test, I really do hope it comes back negative, I'm so worried and scared, I read about herpes getting to the brain and affecting the eye sight, in the past months I've had issues with my and neurological things, but I had a catscan done which came back just fine. If this isn't herpes what else do you think I should test for? I just can't stand the pain and burning anymore.

[gracefromHHP]

have you tried something as simple as otc jock itch treatment?  might be worthwhile doing until you can be seen by a dermatologist for your rashes/symptoms.

[jj214]

I just might try the jock itch I've been meaning to, here's what's worrying me for the past 3 months my vision and head just hasn't been right, I always felt an ache on the back of my head and I just found a little pimple kind of thing on there, as well as the ones I found on my butt that ache also. If I do have herpes why would it show in other spots before it shows up in the main genital area. I'm really worried that IgG will come back positive in a month or so, is 5 months really that official to show up in IgG?

[jj214]

Also one other thing, what are the odds of things starting to show up right now as I just tested for herpes within the last week. I'm hoping this is just a coincidence.

[petal130]

Your questions are all answered in the posts from Dr. Hook/Handsfield. Re-read them. No, herpes won't cause vision issues or head pain. See your medical provider to determine what's causing this.

Your IgG 5-months post exposure is accurate. You're confusing risk with guilt - as many folks do who come here regretting a very low risk encounter, with testing to back it. No need for further testing at this point. Work with someone to overcome the guilt/anxiety that has you hanging your hat on herpes.

[jj214]

I'm sorry to bother you guys, I truly do hope I'm wrong, god bless you all and please wish me luck an keep me in your prayers, you guys are all great.  

[jj214]

Hi i have another question to ask, these last 5 months i've been having all kinds of crazy things happening to me, especially in the penis area, i feel like i'm having some discharge, burning, more redness on the head of my penis and maybe some swelling as well. I'm really worried about being one of the people who take up to 6 months or longer to produce antibodies. Now here's my question since i've been having weird symptoms down in my penis area would that be enough for the IgG to catch the disease?

[gracefromHHP]

not many people take that long to produce antibodies. odds are whatever is going on , it's not herpes and probably not even std related.

unless you get + test results for us to help you with, not really anything else we can help with at this point. You need to be following up regularly with your providers at this point since we are limited as to how we can help online.

[jj214]

K I will I'm going to retest in a few weeks, I will keep you guys posted with my results. Everytime I speak to you guys you make me feel much better with your advice, Its when I see a bad story online or speak to an uneducated doctor that I start to think and stress again. Thanks again Grace.

[gracefromHHP]

sometimes the best thing you can do is to turn off the computer and stop reading :)

[jj214]

Hi Grace sorry to bother u again, its getting close to my 6 month mark and I'm quite nervous about re testing my hsv 2 igg, I was hoping you had some good advice for me. How are the odds looking for me? I mean I did take an igg at 5 months which came back negative. I just want closure I want my life back I wish I could go back In time and do things differently. I've been having pain in my lower back at times and a sore butt as well, I duno what this is all about but still no lesions or outbreaks on my penis, just the same old redness I've had. I was also curious about my hsv 1 status being positive, I'm guessing I've had this all my life since I've had cold sores at a young age, I've had past girl friends who I have given oral to down there and I'm now starting to wonder how possible it could be to have given them genital herpes from hsv 1.  I can't remember the last time I had a cold sore and I know I've never kissed or given a girl oral if I did have one. Just curious please help. Thank you Grace.

[gracefromHHP]

you are obsessing about herpes for no good reason.

[jj214]

I'm sorry i really truly have a hard time believing it at times, i'm still not right, i've been having pain and burning still down there, and my vision is still not right, neither is my head i'm even considering having an mri done. Its killing me because i just want an answer, i dont believe all this has happened to me from one protected encounter that happend almost 6 months ago, I have stopped myself from having sex i'm afraid to pass something onto someone else. But back to my question since I do have HSV - 1 does that mean i could never make out or do oral things with my girlfriend?

[jj214]

So I just got out of the shower an was doing some more examining of my penis, I also noticed about 3 tiny little black spots under the skin of my testucles they aren't blistrs or popping out just little black dots, and also one on the head of the penis which is not too noticeable, the skin around the head of my penis is turning a bit redder and looking some what more swollen. I'm not going crazy or freaking out, I just want closure to what it is. I do not wnat herpes but do believe I can deal with it. I'm just still confused I'm worried that my IgG will show up positive. What do you think could be wrong with me, pain on and off daily on my penis, some redness around the head, redness on the testicles, swelling in my neck on an off throughout the day, blurred vision.

[gracefromHHP]

there is nothing else we can help you with . this is not herpes. it's not a std related issue. continue to follow up with this with your provider.  

grace

[jj214]

Hi Grace I do appreciate your help and support but why is it that your so confident its not herpes? I mean how often to people develope antibodies after 5 months? I would have no concern of this if I did not have any weird symptoms. I'm trying so hard to convince myself that your right. Thank you again.

[gracefromHHP]

if you have further questions, please pay to post to Terri Warren on the herpes expert forum on medhelp. nothing else I could possibly add that hasn't already been said.

[jj214]

So i took your advice and asked Terri for her advice, she has not answered just yet but I truly dont think im obsessing about this, i am really finding things on my head now they are little raised irritating things on my scalpe, i was even considering shaving my head to get a better look at them. I'm just confused does it make sense to have an out break on my head before i have on in my Genital area? The reason why im asking this is because maybe there was a chance i had washed myself down there in the shower and then washed my hair.This is really driving me nuts.

[jj214]

Hi Grace So at 25 weeks I seen a disease specialist and I had him re test me for HIV and HSV 2 also. I am going to pick up a copy of my results but from what he had told me over the phone is to not worry and that both my HSV - 2 Results and HIV Results have come back negative. My HIV which I wasnt too conserned about at this point from all my testing done was non reactive, and my HSV - 2 IgG - .20 which is also negative. It is a pretty good feeling to know that I have gotten another negative test but I still worry just because of the fact that nothing has been right with me. My head feels like im having little small insect bites on it, i found one on my back and one on my shoulder, they do not have any puss or anything but when i scratch them they will bleed an scab up, I have been having the worst nerological issues from headaches, blurred vision, feeling sick and wanting to throw up. What should I do now?

[jj214]

sorry i forgot to mention i still have never had any kind of outbreak or lesion on my penis just the same old redness and little swelling, i feel like month by month its gona get worse an eventually have an out break thats why im asking what now and still kind of confused.