Hello Doctor, I hope it is not too late to further question on my post.
I am the UK and recieved my HSV test results from a GUM clinic and I was rather relieved to see they were negative. They came back as follows
HSV-1 IgG (In House blocking EIA) - Negative (6.5% inhibition)
HSV-2 IgG (In House blocking EIA) - Negative (13.5% inhibition)
Anti-HSV IgG (Dade Behring EIA) - Negative (OD/CO: 0.030)
I do not believe this is the herpeselect test however I am told that it is reliable. It has been 8 months since my last possible exposure and so I would have expected to developed positive anti-bodies to any infection by now. I have read from some of your previous answers that with a negative result for both types of HSV, there is a minimal chance of one of them being a false negative, and I can be confident I am not infected.
Given these test results can I be confident I am not infected?
Thanks and Regards
When I had Molluscum, I had from time to time one on the shaft of my penis but I never had any just go away by themselves, I left one on there for about a month once just to see if it would go away and it never did, all of mine were removed, probably about 50 total. I'm not sure what kind of skin you have but I did notice that the ones on my penis were a little easier to break the skin in order to remove the core but it took effort, I don't think "normal" friction alone would have removed it. At least in my case. I also didn't usually wait around to see what would happen. I removed any new Molluscum I saw within a few days.
I'm not sure I can help much; no online doc can make a definitive diagnosis by online description, and I'm not going to try. But some clues:
1) Molluscum contagiosum lesions always last at least 2-3 weeks, probably usually for several weeks; something that appears as a red bump and is gone in a few days is definitely not MC. MC isn't just any red bump; it has a typical, shiny appearance, often with a dimple in the center.
2) Herpes is highly variable, but most genital herpes lesions on dry skin (penis, etc) start as red bump, become blister-like with clear fluid, then turn yellowish as the fluid inside turns to pus, then develops a scab--all evolving over 7-12 days. Also, herpes lesions are superficial, appearing more "on" the skin (versus pimples or folliculitis, which are deeper, sort of "in" the skin).
3) Herpes lesions are not widely scattered. Herpes outbreaks are discrete, last several days, and virtually always involve a cluster of lesions that always reappear in pretty much the same spot. Recurrences always occur on one side of the body's midline (or up to the midline), but never on both sides of the penis, labia, buttocks, etc. In between such discrete outbreaks, which usually occur roughly every 6-12 weeks, things are entirely normal.
So those may be clues that help you figure out the possibilities. If in doubt, follow up with your provider; and if unsure of his/her expertise, ask for referral to a dermatologist. If herpes seems a possibility, a blood test can sort it out.
Good luck-- HHH, MD