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Conflicting results

I had a possible exposure risk on 7/16/07. It involved a lot of bad judgment. After a night of drinking I engaged in protected sex with a risky partner that I don’t know the STD status of. The following week I had a very irritated groin and flu like symptoms. To say the least I was extremely worried. I got tested through Tstd for Herpes 1&2, Hiv, ect. On 8/29/07. All results were negative except Herpes 2 which was positive with a 1.58 H. I was told by the counselor on the phone that I was herpes 2 positive. Still worried about HIV I rested on 9/20/07 for everything again with Tstd, This time everything was negative including herpes 2. The counselor said that the first result was a “low positive” and that I was negative but she really couldn’t give me a good explanation of the change in results. Any insight or suggestions as to what happened and what I should do??  Thank you in advance.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for all your reassurance
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Makes no difference in my opinion or advice.  Given the combination of symptoms plus test results, I would bet my house against your having herpes.  And negative HIV tests are always reliable after 6 weeks.
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Avatar universal
I didn't want to drone on about my symptoms. I don’t if they would change your advice. During my encounter I got a fingernail cut around my anus prior to protected vaginal penetration, (I’m a male) that has remained red and extremely uncomfortable despite applying Nystatin and Triamcinolone acetonide cream that was prescribed by my Doctor. I was worried the cut around my anus could have been an opening for HSV or HIV. Is this flawed thinking??   I've read so many conflicting window periods. Can I rely on the negative results of the HIV test on both dates? Thank you once again.
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your symptoms conceivably could have been due to an initial HSV infection, but the absence of genital sores/blisters is against it.  It is rare to have initial herpes that causes lymph node inflammation (which could go along with groin pain) without also having overt sores.  However, you don't say your sex.  If you are a woman, it is possible you had internal (vaginal, cervical) lesions that you could not feel.  But on balance, most likely that episode wasn't due to herpes or any other STD, and you dind't necessarily catch it during the sexual encounter you describe.

Second, you can be pretty sure the second HSV-2 result is the accurate one.  The numerical values suggest the lab used the  HerpeSelect test.  If so, the initial ELISA ratio of 1.58 was quite low and even without repeat testing would be suspicious for a false positive result.  And most people with new HSV-2 infections would have positive HerpeSelect results within 2 months.

So combining the atypical symptoms for herpes plus your test results, you can be quite certain you didn't acqure HSV during that exposure.  But if you want to nail it down with 100% certainty, you could have yet another blood test.  If you do that, wait until 4 months, ie mid-November.  In the meantime, don't worry about this; probably you are home free.

Good luck--  HHH, MD
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