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STDs (Expert Forum)
Herpes Testing again
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Herpes Testing again
by ocean789, Dec 11, 2005 12:00AM
Dr:
I am going to start will some details you may consider irrelevant, but I must get this off my chest and mean no disrespect to you or this forum. I am a very tall37yr male and had a vigorous sexual encounter with a very petite girl. It was the most vigorous sexual encounter I ever had. The encounter was late on a Wednesday night and I didn’t shower after just “wiped” myself and went to sleep. To make things worse I work in a heavy industrial atmosphere and never shower before work. Around 7PM the very next day (about 18hrs from exposure) I noticed the head of my penis looked like it was rubbed raw on one side, and a few tiny specs of blood on the shaft just below the glan(diameter about half the size of thumb tac).I showed the girl on Friday, but it was almost completely healed. She said she was having a minor yeast infection at the time. I then looked up yeast infections and scared me because I read herpes is often mistaken for yeast infection. Called my doctor on Saturday, he said “whatever it is its not herpes.” Went to see him on Monday anyway, the only mark that was remaining was some redness on the bottom of penis glan (at its widest point).My doctor said didn’t think it was anything to worry about, but if it comes back, come back to office. I insisted on test. This redness has remained now for 3 months with no change (its gets very red after erection,also looks like vevy small cut not even "mm" if I pull skin tight). I am going to see doctor tomorrow, I know he is going to want me to get therapy and take antidepressant, I never needed either before this( will do what he recommends). I know I have HSV1 get cold sore once a year. Was tested day 5 HSV1 positive, HSV2 negative, IGM negative. Tested 5.3 weeks (day 37) no change, Tested exactly 11 weeks “was going nuts couldn’t wait any longer” no change in results. I was also tested for HIV negative. No other results given, but negative.
1) My blood was sent to Mayo Clinic Mn, I live in Pa. I know you say herpeselect doesn’t com in a IgM version, but do you think they would have confirmed HSV2 with the best test especially if am HSV1 positive. The mayo Clinic is one of the labs listed on Herpes diagnostic web site that does Herpselect. I have read all your herpes threads for last three months and hope I didn’t get an old test because of terminology(gG vs. IgG). The script did say HSV2IgG, but when I went to hospital to give blood the nurse let me see the Mayo catalog, and you cant get just an HSV2 test they do them all. You can get just an Igm test. I called the lab for brand of test, they only gave me methodology( EIA).
2)Do you even think I have any thing to worry about given the IgM negative @ 5 and 37 days along with negative IGG at 11weeks.
I am going to start will some details you may consider irrelevant, but I must get this off my chest and mean no disrespect to you or this forum. I am a very tall37yr male and had a vigorous sexual encounter with a very petite girl. It was the most vigorous sexual encounter I ever had. The encounter was late on a Wednesday night and I didn’t shower after just “wiped” myself and went to sleep. To make things worse I work in a heavy industrial atmosphere and never shower before work. Around 7PM the very next day (about 18hrs from exposure) I noticed the head of my penis looked like it was rubbed raw on one side, and a few tiny specs of blood on the shaft just below the glan(diameter about half the size of thumb tac).I showed the girl on Friday, but it was almost completely healed. She said she was having a minor yeast infection at the time. I then looked up yeast infections and scared me because I read herpes is often mistaken for yeast infection. Called my doctor on Saturday, he said “whatever it is its not herpes.” Went to see him on Monday anyway, the only mark that was remaining was some redness on the bottom of penis glan (at its widest point).My doctor said didn’t think it was anything to worry about, but if it comes back, come back to office. I insisted on test. This redness has remained now for 3 months with no change (its gets very red after erection,also looks like vevy small cut not even "mm" if I pull skin tight). I am going to see doctor tomorrow, I know he is going to want me to get therapy and take antidepressant, I never needed either before this( will do what he recommends). I know I have HSV1 get cold sore once a year. Was tested day 5 HSV1 positive, HSV2 negative, IGM negative. Tested 5.3 weeks (day 37) no change, Tested exactly 11 weeks “was going nuts couldn’t wait any longer” no change in results. I was also tested for HIV negative. No other results given, but negative.
1) My blood was sent to Mayo Clinic Mn, I live in Pa. I know you say herpeselect doesn’t com in a IgM version, but do you think they would have confirmed HSV2 with the best test especially if am HSV1 positive. The mayo Clinic is one of the labs listed on Herpes diagnostic web site that does Herpselect. I have read all your herpes threads for last three months and hope I didn’t get an old test because of terminology(gG vs. IgG). The script did say HSV2IgG, but when I went to hospital to give blood the nurse let me see the Mayo catalog, and you cant get just an HSV2 test they do them all. You can get just an Igm test. I called the lab for brand of test, they only gave me methodology( EIA).
2)Do you even think I have any thing to worry about given the IgM negative @ 5 and 37 days along with negative IGG at 11weeks.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Dec 11, 2005 12:00AM
, Dec 11, 2005 12:00AM
I agree with your doctor. Persistent redness is not a sign of herpes. The blood test results are reliable; with both negative IgG (probably HerpeSelect) at 11 weesk, plus the earlier negative IgM, and the lack of symptoms that suggest herpes, you can be completely sure you did not acquire HSV-2 during the encounter you describe.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Good luck-- HHH, MD
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One last thing, the day after I received my 11 week result I noticed a small white spot the size and almost the color(not as white) of a grain of salt, I can only see it if I pull my skin tight. The redness is at the 9oclock position and the small "pimple?" is at 11:55 position. I have been looking at area very closly. It does look like a gain of salt was placed there, no redness or iching or pain, this was not there day after exposure. I haven't had sex since posible exposure.
My doc will see this, but am sure he is going to "blow" it off. Should I insist on another test
Location is on shaft just below glan.
I just wonder if I should test again. Thanks for the reply on my original question, you provide a great service. I hope you have a wonderfull holiday season.
You can restest for HSV if you want, but considering your history, your symptoms, and your blood test results, the likelihood you have genital herpes is close to zero. If you were my patient I would not recommend further testing. Put herpes out of your mind and go on with your life.
HHH, MD
I have an appointment to see my Doctor today. He wants to see me about anxiety. I will show him the little redness that has been there for 3 monthes and the new small mark, and will take his advice about testing. I am almost sure he will say the same thing as you did. He didn't think I should have been tested in the first place.