Blood from anus, White blisters, Mouth Sores and IGG equivocal

[latabata]

Hi,
I received unprotected oral sex from a girl at a bar ( 5 months from today) and it was the most stupid thing I have done in my entire life. have severe symptoms of burning in my genitals and small red rash on the head of my penis.  I also got these small pimple ( really small, the size of a Hair follicle) on my lip (Hurts when touched or when I squeezed it had a small watery substance ). These symptoms came after 3 months post exposure and have occourred two times in one month. I had 5 tests since then and it is almost 5 months now. The results were negative for HSV2 all the time but for HSV1 it has been like 0.89( 2 months) ,0,78 (2 months 10 days),1.4 ( 3 months),0.73 (3 months 20 days) and 1.0 ( 4 moths and 20 days since exposure). These are all Herpselect IGG tests done by Quest. I know I have herpes on my genitals because I never felt this kind of burning and it messes me up more because it took so long for symptoms to show up. I also have burning on the corner of my lip and my whole thigh has this feeling of rug burn or as if a sand paper was rubbed on my thighs. I have given my blood for immunoblot HSV testing now and also waiting for my PCR swab results of my urethra to come along. I am so sad that I might be having oral and genital Herpes. Please tell me if this is herpes or anything else ? I had to make out with my new girlfriend and I didnt know I had it or not for sure for over 4 months because of my negative and equivocal results :( I am now in so much depression that I might have infected her as I didnt know if I had it  or not. I have these small red dots on my penis head that hurt( these came after 3 months after oral sex) and they came twice and when they come there is a burning like pain. They dont have any puss I know of but there are there and my urethra opening is a bit reddish.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Have you looked at the site I suggested?   On it it discusses the issue of blood tests for herpes and tells you that IgM tests are of NO use at all for determining if a person has HSV and the IgG levels which are called "positive" and have levels of less that 3.0 or 3.5 are often falsely positive.  There is a substantial chance that your test is falsely positive.  To start suppressive therapy before you know more is silly.   You need to know what you have before you talk with your partner.  I suggest you either get tested with another test such as the SureView or a Western Blot test at the University of Washington.  

This thread will need to end soon.  EWH

[latabata]

It was 1.57 for HSV1 on igg It was a both igg and igm test. I told my fiancée that I am getting a test done. I hope she doesn't freak out. I need to explain to her in a week though. I am 26 and she is 23. In my family it is a social stigma to have such things. I told her that I am being responsible in getting tested. I hope I don't get more outbreaks in my genitals. If she doesn't have it I am thinking of suppressive therapy. Any suggestions doc ? Any suggestions how I shud break the news to her ?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You are overeacting.  What were your test results?  My advice is to start with the web site I mentioned before. EWH

[latabata]

I am a dead man walking doctor. I have herpes my new test result came back positive. I just wished there was a cure. My outbreaks are more pronounced now. Do you foresee a cure in the coming 5 years?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Please do not even consider further use of valacyclovir.  It is a waste of time.

As far as HSV-1 is concnerned, if you have it, you are in the same state as over 60% of adults in the U.S. and an even higher proportion from India.  This is the virus that causes cold sores.  It is not something to be concerned about.

To learn more about HSV-1 (as well as HSV-2), please take a look at the American Social Health Association (ASHA) web site (Dr. Handsfield and I are both on their Board of Directors).  EWH

[latabata]

Thanks for your valuable advice.

I am still so depressed as I am from India and my I am about to get married to my new girl friend and my fiancee doesnt have anything like this. I got my second bout of symptoms right after I got regular flu. These went away today, I am observing my glans and I can see those red pimple like dots ( they are not raised much from the skin) becoming white and in a healing process. I also have a reduced pain and there is not much discomfort. At teh same time I have also got a white fluid filled pimple near my mouth and it too went away. My fiancee is getting ready and all excited about marriage and I am in such a depressed state of mind. I see the pictures of mild genital herpes on the website and I feel my symptoms match that and I get even more depressed. I have confirmed myself to be having HSV1 genitally and only my coming results should prove otherwise...
if I turn positive for genital HSV1 should I tell my fiancee before hand ?
What are the long term side effects of valtrex or other medications if used in suppressive therapy ?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

All of this makes me more certain that you need to look for other, non-STD, non-HIV reasons for your symtoms.  EWH

[latabata]

I also would like to mention I have had blood on my toilet paper for about a month. It comes and goes and the first time i noticed Was 1 month after the exposure. I have red dots on my mouth cheeks that come and go without any pain. I tested negative for all other stds 4 months 20 days after exposure. My anal area burns one time and after a couple of weeks my genitals burn with small red rash. I would keep you poste abt my results in a couple of days.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum. The combination of your symptoms, which are not typical of HSV infection, they came on long after HSV typically occurs (HSV lesions typically appear 4-10 days following exposure, not at 3 months) and your negative tests ( I realize there was one which was in the equivocal/positive range but most are negative) indicate that you do not have HSV. I cannot tell you what is going on without examining you.  Instead, you should be evaluated by a knowledgeable clinician (perhaps an STD specialist or dermatologist) who can help to evaluate your problems. There are many dermatological processes which can cause severe burning and erosions such as you describe.  These include reactions to topical medications (if you are applying things to the sore areas), fungal infections and other dermatological processes.  

Hope this helps.  Go see a knowledgeable clinician. EWH