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Do i need to retest for herpes?
An exposure with sex worker on 21 Dec 2010, protected sex. She used my penis to rub against her vagina with underwear on. 20 days later, symptoms appear: frequent urination, itchiness around groin area, clear discharge, burning genital area and urination. .
23 days, 1 bump found below the shaft of penis. No blister or ulcer GP told me that it might be herpes and prescribed valtrex, and did a STDs blood test. All negative. 1 tablet and bump subsided.
The result shows:
Herpes:
hsv i IgG 0.32 and hsv ii IgG 0.31 -negative
Chlamydia 0.9- negative (high)
GP told me its unlikely to be herpes and prescribed doxycycline. He said that test will shows positive 4 -6 weeks
I went Sg DSC clinic on 6.7 week. Senior Doc told me that it will usually be very severe for 1st infection and most unlikely just a bump. Do urine test for Chlamydia and Blood test for herpes. Negative.
I went to see my GP on 7.7 week for another herpes blood test. Negative
HSV type 1 igg ab. 0.25
HSV type 2 igg ab. 0.17
I checked daily for bumps or blisters.The bump/ mark is still visible. When I pulled back the skin hard enough, the bump/ mark seems to appear, it seems that it might be due to the vein beneath the skin that makes it appear like a bump.
DSC clinic consultant asked me to move on and put a full stop for tests.
1) Do i need to retest again or move on with my life?
2) Is my symptoms due to STD?
3) Does herpes symptoms came too late after 20 days of exposure?
4) The numerical index in blood test, does it shows that herpes was detected?
5) Currently, i had itchness on my pubic hair area as well as the bottom and side of scrotum. Penis feel sore, but i cant detect where exactly it is. No lesion/ blisters found. is this a sign of herpes or am i over focusing on my genital?
23 days, 1 bump found below the shaft of penis. No blister or ulcer GP told me that it might be herpes and prescribed valtrex, and did a STDs blood test. All negative. 1 tablet and bump subsided.
The result shows:
Herpes:
hsv i IgG 0.32 and hsv ii IgG 0.31 -negative
Chlamydia 0.9- negative (high)
GP told me its unlikely to be herpes and prescribed doxycycline. He said that test will shows positive 4 -6 weeks
I went Sg DSC clinic on 6.7 week. Senior Doc told me that it will usually be very severe for 1st infection and most unlikely just a bump. Do urine test for Chlamydia and Blood test for herpes. Negative.
I went to see my GP on 7.7 week for another herpes blood test. Negative
HSV type 1 igg ab. 0.25
HSV type 2 igg ab. 0.17
I checked daily for bumps or blisters.The bump/ mark is still visible. When I pulled back the skin hard enough, the bump/ mark seems to appear, it seems that it might be due to the vein beneath the skin that makes it appear like a bump.
DSC clinic consultant asked me to move on and put a full stop for tests.
1) Do i need to retest again or move on with my life?
2) Is my symptoms due to STD?
3) Does herpes symptoms came too late after 20 days of exposure?
4) The numerical index in blood test, does it shows that herpes was detected?
5) Currently, i had itchness on my pubic hair area as well as the bottom and side of scrotum. Penis feel sore, but i cant detect where exactly it is. No lesion/ blisters found. is this a sign of herpes or am i over focusing on my genital?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. You had prolonged discussions on the herpes community forum and the STD international forum. All evidence suggests you didn't catch herpes. You can expect similar answers on this forum.
As your own doctor informed you (according to a follow-up comment you posted on the international forum 3+ weeks ago), your symptoms were not typical for herpes. Further, it is exceedingly unlikely to acquire genital HSV-2 ( or any other STD) without unprotected vaginal penetration, which you did not have. And even with penetration, the average HSV-2 transmission risk probalby is around 1 chance in 1,000, if the femal partner is infected -- and you have no evidence that your partner was infected. So all things considered, even before you were tested, there was little chance you were infected. And now that you have had negative blood test results about 8 week after exposure, you can be certain about it. To your specific questions:
1) As you were told on the other forums, it can take 3-4 months for the HSV-2 blood tests to become positive. However, considering all the evidence, there is no realistic chance you caught HISV-2 and I do not recommend any more testing.
2) Your symptoms don't sound like any STD, especially since your exposure did not put you at risk.
3) It is true that your symptoms were too late for herpes. Symptoms usually begin with 5 days and never more than 2-3 weeks after exposure.
4) Any numerical index below 0.9 is absolutely negative. Even if exactly the same blood specimen were tested 10 times, there would be 10 different index values, anywhere from 0.1 to 0.9.
5) Herpes doesn's cause putic itching or penile "soreness" without visible herpes blisters/sores.
Whenever someone suspects s//he is "over focusing on my genitals", usually s/he is correct. So probably you are.
I'm quite certain that a) you did not catch herpes and b) you are reacting emotionally to a sexual experience you regret. My advice is to do your best to put this event behind you and go on with your lfie, secure in the knowledge you don't have genital herpes.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
As your own doctor informed you (according to a follow-up comment you posted on the international forum 3+ weeks ago), your symptoms were not typical for herpes. Further, it is exceedingly unlikely to acquire genital HSV-2 ( or any other STD) without unprotected vaginal penetration, which you did not have. And even with penetration, the average HSV-2 transmission risk probalby is around 1 chance in 1,000, if the femal partner is infected -- and you have no evidence that your partner was infected. So all things considered, even before you were tested, there was little chance you were infected. And now that you have had negative blood test results about 8 week after exposure, you can be certain about it. To your specific questions:
1) As you were told on the other forums, it can take 3-4 months for the HSV-2 blood tests to become positive. However, considering all the evidence, there is no realistic chance you caught HISV-2 and I do not recommend any more testing.
2) Your symptoms don't sound like any STD, especially since your exposure did not put you at risk.
3) It is true that your symptoms were too late for herpes. Symptoms usually begin with 5 days and never more than 2-3 weeks after exposure.
4) Any numerical index below 0.9 is absolutely negative. Even if exactly the same blood specimen were tested 10 times, there would be 10 different index values, anywhere from 0.1 to 0.9.
5) Herpes doesn's cause putic itching or penile "soreness" without visible herpes blisters/sores.
Whenever someone suspects s//he is "over focusing on my genitals", usually s/he is correct. So probably you are.
I'm quite certain that a) you did not catch herpes and b) you are reacting emotionally to a sexual experience you regret. My advice is to do your best to put this event behind you and go on with your lfie, secure in the knowledge you don't have genital herpes.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I agree about chlamydia testing. The blood test is useless. But you absolutely could not have caught it fro the exposure described, so any testing at all is a waste of money, time and energy.
Discomfort on urination is a very common symptom of genitally-focused anxiety.
You could not have caught herpes or any other STD through clothing and I see no need for further HSV testing.
All evidence suggests you have overreacted emotionally to a sexual choice you regret, and that's all -- i.e. That you have experienced no infectious consequences. Deal with the former issue as you need to, but forget the latter one.
That will be all for this thread. Take care.
Discomfort on urination is a very common symptom of genitally-focused anxiety.
You could not have caught herpes or any other STD through clothing and I see no need for further HSV testing.
All evidence suggests you have overreacted emotionally to a sexual choice you regret, and that's all -- i.e. That you have experienced no infectious consequences. Deal with the former issue as you need to, but forget the latter one.
That will be all for this thread. Take care.
Dear Dr, basing on your analysis, I will stop all testing and move on with my life. Well, it should be safe to have family planning I guess？ If I had seek for your consultation earlier, I would have save hundreds of dollars! Thank you once again Dr! You are definitely manificant! Bless you!
Hi Dr,
To be more specific, i was naked down below but she's with her underwear on. I had also tested for a rapid HIV during the 6.7 weeks. I doubt i need to repeat the test for this again as well?
To be more specific, i was naked down below but she's with her underwear on. I had also tested for a rapid HIV during the 6.7 weeks. I doubt i need to repeat the test for this again as well?
Dear Dr,
Your comment is definitely most assuring and thank you so much for your swift and detailed response.
Indeed, i had been struggling for a long time on this especially when i am in the stage of getting married. I regret my mistake for not considering the consequences.
Well, the DSC Clinic doctors told me that it is inaccurate to test Chlamydia through blood test. A urine test will be able to better determine.
My GP told me that there are possibilities to catch STDs, as there might be discharge on her underwear, even i had protected sex. Basing on the blood test, he presumed that it most probably Chlamydia.
Sorry for my ignorance, for Chlamydia is it also too late for the symptoms to show during 20 days after exposure?
The burning sensation and pain while urinating was quite significant. The doc also did some urine test and found no baterial in it. Besides STD, the doc cant think of other related issues based on my exposure.
Your comment is definitely most assuring and thank you so much for your swift and detailed response.
Indeed, i had been struggling for a long time on this especially when i am in the stage of getting married. I regret my mistake for not considering the consequences.
Well, the DSC Clinic doctors told me that it is inaccurate to test Chlamydia through blood test. A urine test will be able to better determine.
My GP told me that there are possibilities to catch STDs, as there might be discharge on her underwear, even i had protected sex. Basing on the blood test, he presumed that it most probably Chlamydia.
Sorry for my ignorance, for Chlamydia is it also too late for the symptoms to show during 20 days after exposure?
The burning sensation and pain while urinating was quite significant. The doc also did some urine test and found no baterial in it. Besides STD, the doc cant think of other related issues based on my exposure.
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.
