Aa
Possible Herpes Exposure
Hi Doctor,
3 months ago, I stupidly had unprotected vaginal sex with this girl for about 20 minutes (I was extremely intoxicated). Soon after, I developed thrush on the penis which looked & smelled like white cottage cheese--I went to my doctor who confirmed it was indeed thrush. I think I also had a paper-like cut on my penis too (I assume this was because the sex was really painful & my foreskin might have split) but my doctor didn't think much of it.
I was obviously concerned about all the STD's out there (I am a natural born worrier) & thought I would get something. Anxiety got the better of me & I started to feel lots of pain in my testicles which got me extremely worried, I wasn't sure if this was triggered by a cyst which had been diagnosed years ago or just that an STD was the cause. The pain finally subsided about 6 weeks after the incident (I still get a bit of pain here & now)
Two months later, I was diagnosed with Genital Warts--I was devastated. Several doctors told me I'd have them for life, but others (especially dermatologists) suggested that HPV is usually cleared within 2 years & they found it rare to persist in patients. However, I am now extremely worried about HSV-2.
I've also had pain all around my anus but was told that it was thrush & it showed no signs of herpes. They said I could've got the thrush because I was so run down due to stress/lack of sleep.
I am clear of all over STD/I's.
A few questions:
1) Will I always have Genital Warts/HPV? & If they disappear, do I have to tell future partners about it?
2) Does stress/anxiety cause muscle pain? I have had pain all over my back, especially the lower-end of it. It comes & goes but I am worried as this could mean I have herpes.
3) I can't get over the fact that in the majority of cases HSV doesn't show symptoms. I am losing sleep over this. I am going for a IgG blood test tomorrow which will hopefully give me peace of mind (it's been 12 weeks since possible exposure)
3 months ago, I stupidly had unprotected vaginal sex with this girl for about 20 minutes (I was extremely intoxicated). Soon after, I developed thrush on the penis which looked & smelled like white cottage cheese--I went to my doctor who confirmed it was indeed thrush. I think I also had a paper-like cut on my penis too (I assume this was because the sex was really painful & my foreskin might have split) but my doctor didn't think much of it.
I was obviously concerned about all the STD's out there (I am a natural born worrier) & thought I would get something. Anxiety got the better of me & I started to feel lots of pain in my testicles which got me extremely worried, I wasn't sure if this was triggered by a cyst which had been diagnosed years ago or just that an STD was the cause. The pain finally subsided about 6 weeks after the incident (I still get a bit of pain here & now)
Two months later, I was diagnosed with Genital Warts--I was devastated. Several doctors told me I'd have them for life, but others (especially dermatologists) suggested that HPV is usually cleared within 2 years & they found it rare to persist in patients. However, I am now extremely worried about HSV-2.
I've also had pain all around my anus but was told that it was thrush & it showed no signs of herpes. They said I could've got the thrush because I was so run down due to stress/lack of sleep.
I am clear of all over STD/I's.
A few questions:
1) Will I always have Genital Warts/HPV? & If they disappear, do I have to tell future partners about it?
2) Does stress/anxiety cause muscle pain? I have had pain all over my back, especially the lower-end of it. It comes & goes but I am worried as this could mean I have herpes.
3) I can't get over the fact that in the majority of cases HSV doesn't show symptoms. I am losing sleep over this. I am going for a IgG blood test tomorrow which will hopefully give me peace of mind (it's been 12 weeks since possible exposure)
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Most experts say the HSV-2 test reaches maximum sensitivity by 3 months, but others advise 4 months or even 6 months. My advice to you takes into account all the factors you have described, not only test performance. Even without a blood test, I would judge the chance you casught herpes as 1 in 100,000. With a 90% reliably negstive test at 3 months, that lowers the chance to 1 in a million. What will happen if you have another test (e.g at 4-6 months) that's 95% reliable instead of 90%? It will lower your risk of really having it to 1 in 2 million. Would 1 chance in 2M really make you feel better than 1 in 1M? That's silly.
That will end this thread. You came here for reassurance and I gave it. Do your best to accept it. I won't have any further comments or advice.
That will end this thread. You came here for reassurance and I gave it. Do your best to accept it. I won't have any further comments or advice.
Thanks for your help Dr, HHH, I appreciate it.
When you say "no further testing is needed", why do you sometimes state on other threads that a 16 week test may be required. I'm trying to stop thinking about having HSV-2 but seeing stuff like that makes me more anxious.
I also hope I'm not in the 10% of people who get a false-negative.. I hate being a worrier! This has also made me want to get another HIV test as I received a DUO (4th gen test) at 10 weeks after possible exposure - my doctor said this was conclusive but others say 3 months, even 6 months is.
This is my last comment & hopefully I'll be able to put all this behind me
When you say "no further testing is needed", why do you sometimes state on other threads that a 16 week test may be required. I'm trying to stop thinking about having HSV-2 but seeing stuff like that makes me more anxious.
I also hope I'm not in the 10% of people who get a false-negative.. I hate being a worrier! This has also made me want to get another HIV test as I received a DUO (4th gen test) at 10 weeks after possible exposure - my doctor said this was conclusive but others say 3 months, even 6 months is.
This is my last comment & hopefully I'll be able to put all this behind me
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Disregard the question mark.. No further testing is needed.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm glad to hear the good news. Of course I'm not at all surprised by your test result; as I said above, I never believed you were at significant risk for herpes.
1) This just has to do with the technology of the test.
2) No retesting is necessary?
3) Your immune system will clear you HPV infection oer time. There is nothing you can do to speed up or slow down the process.
4) It's only a few percent who have late recurrences. Don't worry about it.
1) This just has to do with the technology of the test.
2) No retesting is necessary?
3) Your immune system will clear you HPV infection oer time. There is nothing you can do to speed up or slow down the process.
4) It's only a few percent who have late recurrences. Don't worry about it.
Hi doctor. By surprise the results came back negative.
HERPES SIMPLEX ANTIBODIES
-------------------------
H.S.V. I (IgG) Negative 0.289 Index (Neg <0.9)
H.S.V. II (IgG) Negative 0.161 Index (Neg <0.9)
COMMENT : No serological evidence of HSV Type I & II infection in this specimen
Anyway, thank you for your help doctor I appreciate it. I can now sleep a bit more easily.
Just a few more questions if that's possible (I'll understand if you can't answer):
1) Why aren't both results 0.000? I'm slightly confused why <0.9 is negative?
2) Is a re-test required? The test was done 3 months after possible exposure.
3) Is there anything I can do to help fight off my HPV wart infection? Do I need to change my diet, lifestyle, etc.
4) From your experience, how many patients have had recurrences of warts several years later? (Yes, I'm anxious)
Once again thanks for your help & advice.
HERPES SIMPLEX ANTIBODIES
-------------------------
H.S.V. I (IgG) Negative 0.289 Index (Neg <0.9)
H.S.V. II (IgG) Negative 0.161 Index (Neg <0.9)
COMMENT : No serological evidence of HSV Type I & II infection in this specimen
Anyway, thank you for your help doctor I appreciate it. I can now sleep a bit more easily.
Just a few more questions if that's possible (I'll understand if you can't answer):
1) Why aren't both results 0.000? I'm slightly confused why <0.9 is negative?
2) Is a re-test required? The test was done 3 months after possible exposure.
3) Is there anything I can do to help fight off my HPV wart infection? Do I need to change my diet, lifestyle, etc.
4) From your experience, how many patients have had recurrences of warts several years later? (Yes, I'm anxious)
Once again thanks for your help & advice.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm not going to debate your doctor. You'll have to decide whether he (not a GUM specialist) or the experts are most likely to be right.
You won't find very many scientific or professional sites that say lifestyle and diet have any effect on HPV infections. There is no scientific evidence that these things make any difference.
It is not true that NHS doesn't offer blood tests for HSV. At least some NHS GUM clinics frequently use HSV blood tests.
No more comments until you post your results.
You won't find very many scientific or professional sites that say lifestyle and diet have any effect on HPV infections. There is no scientific evidence that these things make any difference.
It is not true that NHS doesn't offer blood tests for HSV. At least some NHS GUM clinics frequently use HSV blood tests.
No more comments until you post your results.
Thanks for your reply, doctor. When I mentioned possible recurrences of warts in the future he said "Yes, you probably would". He went on to explain that he gets warts on his hands every now and then due to being stressed or run-down. He kind of contradicted you & my dermatologist whom I see for my current wart problem. My derm said she finds it rare for Genital Warts to persist in patients and actually believes the virus can be cleared over time. I only get a bit upset/stressed when other doctors say "Nope, you'll have this forever especially when you're stressed, run-down or ill, you'll get them back." I thought to myself... When I was about 9 I had a wart on my finger, had it removed & it never came back. Surely the same can be said to GW?
One question - does ones diet & lifestyle effect HPV? There's so much stuff on the internet which says it does (I probably need to stop researching)
With regards to the "book", I mean't that he wasn't a specialist in the GUM area. I only went to see him so he could take my blood (it was a private doctor) - I'm located in England and the NHS do not provide free blood tests for HSV-1 or HSV-2.
Thanks, doctor. I will reply on Wednesday with my results.
One question - does ones diet & lifestyle effect HPV? There's so much stuff on the internet which says it does (I probably need to stop researching)
With regards to the "book", I mean't that he wasn't a specialist in the GUM area. I only went to see him so he could take my blood (it was a private doctor) - I'm located in England and the NHS do not provide free blood tests for HSV-1 or HSV-2.
Thanks, doctor. I will reply on Wednesday with my results.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Either your doctor doesn't understand HPV and warts or you misunderstood. The vast majority of affected persons do not have lifelong recurrences and stress has nothing to do with recurrent warts or HPV. For more information, read the threads linked below.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/742564
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/552283
I also don't know what your doctor meant about a "book" in regard to HSV testing. But it's true that the result, 3 months after potential exposure, will be accurate -- i.e. a negative result will show you weren't infected 3 months earlier. However, a positive one will not reveal when you were infected and therefore would not necessarily be from the event you are concerned about.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/742564
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/552283
I also don't know what your doctor meant about a "book" in regard to HSV testing. But it's true that the result, 3 months after potential exposure, will be accurate -- i.e. a negative result will show you weren't infected 3 months earlier. However, a positive one will not reveal when you were infected and therefore would not necessarily be from the event you are concerned about.
I went for the blood test today. He kept referring to a book & didn't really know much about the subject which was annoying. I will get the results back on Wednesday & stated the IgG test was 90% accurate.
I mentioned my wart problem & he said I'll have it forever and probably get recurrences whenever I'm stressed or ill which was a bit upsetting. He said it was like Herpes with recurrences but in the form of warts.
I will reply on Wednesday with the results. Thank you for your help, doctor.
I mentioned my wart problem & he said I'll have it forever and probably get recurrences whenever I'm stressed or ill which was a bit upsetting. He said it was like Herpes with recurrences but in the form of warts.
I will reply on Wednesday with the results. Thank you for your help, doctor.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question. I'll go directly to them.
1) It is rare for people to "always" have genital warts or other HPV infections. The immune system clears the infection in almost everybody, usually within a few months to a couple of years. HPV DNA may persist in tissues indefinitely, but generally does not reactivate and cannot be transmitted to partners. Once your warts have cleared up, and after several months have passed without recurrence, you can assume the infection is gone and there is no need to say anything to sex partners.
2) Stress and anxiety can cause any number of symptoms, and certainly muscle pain is one of them. Herpes does not cause such pain in the absence of obvious outbreaks (blisters, ulcers, etc).
3) The odds of catching genital herpes from any single sexual exposure probably is on the order of one in several thousand. Feel free to return and let me know your HSV test result. Based on the information provided here, you can expect negative results for HSV-2.
Regards-- HHH, MD
1) It is rare for people to "always" have genital warts or other HPV infections. The immune system clears the infection in almost everybody, usually within a few months to a couple of years. HPV DNA may persist in tissues indefinitely, but generally does not reactivate and cannot be transmitted to partners. Once your warts have cleared up, and after several months have passed without recurrence, you can assume the infection is gone and there is no need to say anything to sex partners.
2) Stress and anxiety can cause any number of symptoms, and certainly muscle pain is one of them. Herpes does not cause such pain in the absence of obvious outbreaks (blisters, ulcers, etc).
3) The odds of catching genital herpes from any single sexual exposure probably is on the order of one in several thousand. Feel free to return and let me know your HSV test result. Based on the information provided here, you can expect negative results for HSV-2.
Regards-- HHH, MD
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.
