continual tingling from genital hsv-1

[gardenias]

I contracted genital hsv-1 a couple of months ago and had a typical primary outbreak.  A couple of weeks after the lesion healed I noticed that the spot was still fairly sensitive, for another couple of weeks.  That pain has subsided and now I'm experiencing throughout the day and night a tingling feeling, as has been described by many, especially during prodrome.  I've read that others have experienced this also, although it doesn't seem to be a symptom of prodrome, as I have not had another outbreak and the tingling has lasted for weeks.  One of the doctors commented to someone else that this could not be due to herpes, although I am positive it is.  Is this a result of nerve damage to the site from the virus, and will it also subside?  Most importantly, since it is a minor nuissance, does this symptom indicate that the virus is actively shedding?  

[gracefromHHP]

the provider is wrong about if the igg test is still negative in 3 months you don't have herpes. stick to the culture results. The only way they are wrong is clerical error which happens but not often and you had initial symptoms that sound like a classic herpes ob.

The hsv1 igg blood tests just aren't as good as the hsv2 ones are. It's a known issue. Even folks with very obvious cold sores will test negative for hsv1 many times.  Just don't have tests sensitive enough unfortunately.

grace

[gardenias]

Yes he tested me for yeast and bacterial infections.  He wasn't actually the doctor who initially tested the lesion (my initial ob) for herpes.  I think that he believes that my symptoms seem unusual, so he wanted to do testing himself to see the results and if antibodies had developed.  He finds it strange that they haven't yet and said that he wants to test me again in 3 months and if it remains negative then I don't have herpes - because he claims that this igg test is extremely reliable.  I told him that the lesion was cultured and positive for hsv1 and I was aware that 10% are falsely negative, however he insists that if retesting in 3 months results in a negative igg for hsv1, then that's what I should believe to be true.  Do you agree and what are the reasons that an igg test would remain negative?

[gracefromHHP]

if you had a + lesion culture with your ob that came back as hsv1+, there wasn't any reason to do the blood test. Even the best blood tests we have still are falsely negative for hsv1 10% of the time.  Go by the lesion culture results, not the blood test results.

did your provider also test you for yeast and bacterial vaginal infections?

grace

[gardenias]

I saw my gynecologist and I have no other infection.  He started me on Valtrex. He also tested me for antibodies again, and he's perplexed because the results are negative for hsv1 and hsv2. It's been almost 3 months, and he said that the test is extremely reliable and he hasn't experienced this with any other patient.  I understand from reading the posts on this site that others have had negative antibody results as well, but my doctor seems to believe that this doesn't make any sense.  However, the lesion was cultured and positive for hsv1.  Confusing...

[gardenias]

Thanks a lot Grace.  I'll make an appointment.  

[gracefromHHP]

I recommend that you go back an dbe seen and get properly tested for yeast and bacterial infections genitally.  tingling sensations can be caused by many things and bv especially is common with the first herpes ob.  It doesn't always present with an odor or discharge so proper testing is a good idea.

grace

[gardenias]

Yes, I am female.  I have not had any other testing done since my ob healed.  I can't imagine what else this tingling sensation could be caused by and I've read that other people have had the same experience with genital hsv.  As I mentioned previously, I realize that this sensation is usually felt during prodrome, but thus far I am only experiencing this symptom (for at least a couple of weeks now) with no other symptoms leading to an ob or of an obvious ob.  

[gracefromHHP]

are you female? have you had any other sort of testing done since your ob healed?

grace