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Further testing for Herpes?
Dr,
In February, I had my first sexual experience with a female whom is admittedly promiscuous. She performed unprotected oral sex on me and I soon started having symptoms (which I will list below). At exactly 3 months, I ordered a HSV test from TSTD. I was sent to a Labcorp location and was tested via the HerpeSelect ELISA IgG. The results came back negative, but I continue to have symptoms now 6 months post exposure.
**Initial Symptoms
- 3 small red bumps appeared just above the head of my penis on the shaft only visible with the foreskin pulled back. These bumps looked like small bug bites and weren't painful. (Appeared 3 days after encounter)
- Flu like symptoms including chills and body aches. I experienced significant pain down the back of my thighs.
- The area above my groin was significantly swollen and hard to the touch.
- I had a tingling sensation in my testicles.
- I started having random "paper cut" like abrasions showing up on my hands (with no physical labor or reason why they would be there).
- On two places on my hand, I had a dark red dot appear and are still there today.
Most of these symptoms lasted for approximately 3 weeks or so with the cuts randomly appearing for the next 2 months.
**Current Symptoms
- Two months or so after the initial symptoms appeared, I started noticing oral symptoms.
- The roof of my mouth feels as if I have burned it by eating something hot. This is a fairly consistent feeling regardless of what I've eaten.
- The edge of my tongue has white bumps/blisters. They don't appear to be filled with any fluid, but are very sore to the touch. I also had occasional cuts appear on the inside of my lower lip and one in the corner.
- I have also noticed a very large increase in what appears to be acne. They seem to be filled with normal white pus but isn't always the case. The overall coloration of my face is also much more red now. My chest also has started breaking out. This has never been a problem before.
In February, I had my first sexual experience with a female whom is admittedly promiscuous. She performed unprotected oral sex on me and I soon started having symptoms (which I will list below). At exactly 3 months, I ordered a HSV test from TSTD. I was sent to a Labcorp location and was tested via the HerpeSelect ELISA IgG. The results came back negative, but I continue to have symptoms now 6 months post exposure.
**Initial Symptoms
- 3 small red bumps appeared just above the head of my penis on the shaft only visible with the foreskin pulled back. These bumps looked like small bug bites and weren't painful. (Appeared 3 days after encounter)
- Flu like symptoms including chills and body aches. I experienced significant pain down the back of my thighs.
- The area above my groin was significantly swollen and hard to the touch.
- I had a tingling sensation in my testicles.
- I started having random "paper cut" like abrasions showing up on my hands (with no physical labor or reason why they would be there).
- On two places on my hand, I had a dark red dot appear and are still there today.
Most of these symptoms lasted for approximately 3 weeks or so with the cuts randomly appearing for the next 2 months.
**Current Symptoms
- Two months or so after the initial symptoms appeared, I started noticing oral symptoms.
- The roof of my mouth feels as if I have burned it by eating something hot. This is a fairly consistent feeling regardless of what I've eaten.
- The edge of my tongue has white bumps/blisters. They don't appear to be filled with any fluid, but are very sore to the touch. I also had occasional cuts appear on the inside of my lower lip and one in the corner.
- I have also noticed a very large increase in what appears to be acne. They seem to be filled with normal white pus but isn't always the case. The overall coloration of my face is also much more red now. My chest also has started breaking out. This has never been a problem before.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The recurrences are important and somewhat increase the possibility (still small in my mind) that this is herpes. On one hand the recurrences make the fact that your HSV antibody tests are negative still more atypical and make HSV unlikely. the only way to be sure however is with a PCR or culture test. Should the lesions recur, I would try to get a PCR test taken from the lesions taken ASAP (they do not need to be blistered or ulcerated to have a successful PCR or culture taken).
Herpetic whitlow occurs when someone who does not have HSVE acquires infection of their FINGERS. Persons do not, as a rule, get HSV at multiple sites at once, even if it is their first episode. What you describe suggests one of the many other, non STD dermatologic conditions which can come and go, often at multiple sites. As to what it might be beyond that, this is for a dermatologist to say.
You are fixated on herpes despite the fact there is little to suggest that is what is going on. See a dermatologist and/or work through this with your own doctor. It may take some trial and error. EWH
Herpetic whitlow occurs when someone who does not have HSVE acquires infection of their FINGERS. Persons do not, as a rule, get HSV at multiple sites at once, even if it is their first episode. What you describe suggests one of the many other, non STD dermatologic conditions which can come and go, often at multiple sites. As to what it might be beyond that, this is for a dermatologist to say.
You are fixated on herpes despite the fact there is little to suggest that is what is going on. See a dermatologist and/or work through this with your own doctor. It may take some trial and error. EWH
Thank you for your quick response. I appreciate your insight. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask a couple more quick questions and that will conclude my inquiry. I failed to mention that the red bumps have re-appeared on my penis during the 6 month period two different times (both times disappearing after 1-2 days). Also, I have on multiple occasions experienced redness/irritation around my anus. It doesn't feel like normal chaffing and took a few days to clear up.
I associated the symptoms on my hands to correlate pretty closely with herpes whitlow. I thought I possibly had spread it to my hands and then, in turn, to my mouth/face. Being that these symptoms occurred closely after my initial symptoms. The spots in my mouth are basically constantly active, so I feel like I have maybe had recurrences orally. I have a raised, white, scar like abrasion on the inside of each cheek that is basically always there now. I know this is a laundry list of mostly atypical symptoms, but they are definitely there and more than noticeable. I just don't know what this could be if not herpes. I feel like I'm in limbo. Can you think of any other possible cause for symptoms similar to these (I know it's hard to say without physical seeing these sores)?
I associated the symptoms on my hands to correlate pretty closely with herpes whitlow. I thought I possibly had spread it to my hands and then, in turn, to my mouth/face. Being that these symptoms occurred closely after my initial symptoms. The spots in my mouth are basically constantly active, so I feel like I have maybe had recurrences orally. I have a raised, white, scar like abrasion on the inside of each cheek that is basically always there now. I know this is a laundry list of mostly atypical symptoms, but they are definitely there and more than noticeable. I just don't know what this could be if not herpes. I feel like I'm in limbo. Can you think of any other possible cause for symptoms similar to these (I know it's hard to say without physical seeing these sores)?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum. As I read your post, I would say that the evidence that you have herpes is not very good.
1. You do not know that your partner had HSV. Less than 50% of people who have have over 50 sex partners have herpes.
2. Even if your partner did, the risk of infection on a single encounter is low.
3. Your results with a very good test for HSV is negative.
4. You have not experienced recurrences.
5. Even if you had genital HSV, which I doubt, this would not explain the lesions on your hands and mouth that you seem to be attributing to herpes.
If you were my patient, I would suggest that this is not HSV and would suggest having a dermatologist look at your lesions of concern. If you feel the need for a Western Blot, your doctor can order this, sending it through a commercial lab and specifically requesting a University of Washington Western blot.
Hope this perspective helps. EWH
1. You do not know that your partner had HSV. Less than 50% of people who have have over 50 sex partners have herpes.
2. Even if your partner did, the risk of infection on a single encounter is low.
3. Your results with a very good test for HSV is negative.
4. You have not experienced recurrences.
5. Even if you had genital HSV, which I doubt, this would not explain the lesions on your hands and mouth that you seem to be attributing to herpes.
If you were my patient, I would suggest that this is not HSV and would suggest having a dermatologist look at your lesions of concern. If you feel the need for a Western Blot, your doctor can order this, sending it through a commercial lab and specifically requesting a University of Washington Western blot.
Hope this perspective helps. EWH
Cont...
-The coloration of the head of my penis is different as well, with patches of red over the head. Following erections, there appear to be small bumps as if they are under the skin.
I am a level headed person mentally, and I don't believe these symptoms have manifested themselves out of my imagination. I know my body, and I know something isn't right.
I know the logical thing to do is get the Western Blot and put everything to rest. There in-lies the problem though, I live in the rural south and it is extremely difficult to find a doctor that even knows what it is, much less order it for me. I know Quest now offers it, but I live about an hour from the nearest lab and work prevents me from getting there by closing. I am close to a Labcorp location, but don't know that they offer it.
Dr. Hook... Assuming you are still located in the Birmingham area, can you recommend a way for me to get the Western Blot or just talk to a doctor knowledgeable about the subject? I would just like advice on where to go from here
-The coloration of the head of my penis is different as well, with patches of red over the head. Following erections, there appear to be small bumps as if they are under the skin.
I am a level headed person mentally, and I don't believe these symptoms have manifested themselves out of my imagination. I know my body, and I know something isn't right.
I know the logical thing to do is get the Western Blot and put everything to rest. There in-lies the problem though, I live in the rural south and it is extremely difficult to find a doctor that even knows what it is, much less order it for me. I know Quest now offers it, but I live about an hour from the nearest lab and work prevents me from getting there by closing. I am close to a Labcorp location, but don't know that they offer it.
Dr. Hook... Assuming you are still located in the Birmingham area, can you recommend a way for me to get the Western Blot or just talk to a doctor knowledgeable about the subject? I would just like advice on where to go from here
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.
