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PCA results
FYI - thanks for the site! I could not have worked my way through my HPV diagnosis without it.
My bf had protected sex with a woman Ap 7. She called near the end of May b/c she had been diagnosed with HSV. My bf and I had (up until then) unprotected sex 3x. At end of June I found a bump on vulva that I had immediately cultured. Was neg for HSV. Had further PCA/DNA culture that was also neg. The bump was surgically removed by my ob/gyn and was HPV. He has no symptoms of HSV, I have no HSV symptoms and my dr told me that(for me) blood test was unnecessary. I realize my bf still should have blood test but am I ok operating under my HSV neg. results?
All the best,
leigh10
My bf had protected sex with a woman Ap 7. She called near the end of May b/c she had been diagnosed with HSV. My bf and I had (up until then) unprotected sex 3x. At end of June I found a bump on vulva that I had immediately cultured. Was neg for HSV. Had further PCA/DNA culture that was also neg. The bump was surgically removed by my ob/gyn and was HPV. He has no symptoms of HSV, I have no HSV symptoms and my dr told me that(for me) blood test was unnecessary. I realize my bf still should have blood test but am I ok operating under my HSV neg. results?
All the best,
leigh10
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm pretty sure you mean PCR; I'm not familiar with a PCA test. Also, confirm your PCR test was for HSV DNA, not HPV.
If your gyn said the removed bump was a wart, you can trust that diagnosis and be sure that it wasn't due to herpes. However, your provider is wrong to say that a negative HSV PCR is sufficient to know whether you have genital herpes. It only means that you didn't have active herpes or viral shedding at the time the test was taken. But shedding occurs only a few percent of days in people with genital herpes and a negative test isn't all that reassuring. A type-specific blood test for HSV antibody, such as the HerpeSelect, is the only way to know.
Whether or not you need that test is a personal decision. It seems you haven't had symptoms that suggest herpes, and your bf may or may not be infected; having sex only 3 times with another woman with herpes isn't a very high risk. On the other hand, 25% of all adults have HSV-2 that shows up on the antibody test, regardless of whether or not they believe they have been at risk (up to 70% in some people, such as African Americans).
So if herpes is on your mind and you want to know for sure, you should have an HSV-2 HerpeSelect test. If your result is negative, your bf can also be tested; his result will then tell whether you are at risk for catching herpes from him.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
If your gyn said the removed bump was a wart, you can trust that diagnosis and be sure that it wasn't due to herpes. However, your provider is wrong to say that a negative HSV PCR is sufficient to know whether you have genital herpes. It only means that you didn't have active herpes or viral shedding at the time the test was taken. But shedding occurs only a few percent of days in people with genital herpes and a negative test isn't all that reassuring. A type-specific blood test for HSV antibody, such as the HerpeSelect, is the only way to know.
Whether or not you need that test is a personal decision. It seems you haven't had symptoms that suggest herpes, and your bf may or may not be infected; having sex only 3 times with another woman with herpes isn't a very high risk. On the other hand, 25% of all adults have HSV-2 that shows up on the antibody test, regardless of whether or not they believe they have been at risk (up to 70% in some people, such as African Americans).
So if herpes is on your mind and you want to know for sure, you should have an HSV-2 HerpeSelect test. If your result is negative, your bf can also be tested; his result will then tell whether you are at risk for catching herpes from him.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
opps - Of course I mean PCR DNA test!
I would suggest that your course of action depend on the results of your boyfriend's type specific Herpes Select test. If after 12-16 weeks post last possible exposure to the other woman, your boyfriend tests negative for HSV2 via Herpes Select (or other valid type-specific test), then there is no need for you to test.
However, if he tests HSV2 positive, I would think you might want to be tested not only to know if you have HSV2, but if you don't have it how to best reduce the risk that you'll contract it from your man in the future. While having no symptoms is a very good sign, 80-90% of those infected with HSV2 do not know it because they have no symptoms or symptoms so mild they do not attribute them to HSV2 infection. Remember, that HSV is one of the STDs that consistent condom use will not completely eliminate the risk of transmission, but will reduce it. This is because there are areas that the condom does not cover from which a person can shed virus. I mention this because it sounds like you've only had unprotected sex 3 times since but may have had other encounters where a condom was used. Hope this helps.
Good luck.
However, if he tests HSV2 positive, I would think you might want to be tested not only to know if you have HSV2, but if you don't have it how to best reduce the risk that you'll contract it from your man in the future. While having no symptoms is a very good sign, 80-90% of those infected with HSV2 do not know it because they have no symptoms or symptoms so mild they do not attribute them to HSV2 infection. Remember, that HSV is one of the STDs that consistent condom use will not completely eliminate the risk of transmission, but will reduce it. This is because there are areas that the condom does not cover from which a person can shed virus. I mention this because it sounds like you've only had unprotected sex 3 times since but may have had other encounters where a condom was used. Hope this helps.
Good luck.
We have only had protected sex since we learned that she had HSV. And that has been very limited (2-3x)since I was being treated for the HPV.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If your bf didn't get herpes symptoms after his contact with the other lady, it's a good bet he didn't catch HSV from her. But it's possible.
HHH, MD
HHH, MD
Well, that makes me feel moderately better. He was using a condom with the woman who has HSV and he only had sex with her once.
It is clear that the next step is to have HIM tested. Maybe I can kidnap him tomorrow for that.
Thanks for advice.
It is clear that the next step is to have HIM tested. Maybe I can kidnap him tomorrow for that.
Thanks for advice.
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
