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STDs (Expert Forum)
Please Help!
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.
Please Help!
by kellynn, Feb 22, 2008 12:01PM
In Decemeber 2006 I was in a long-term relationship where he was my first and I was his second. Right around Christmas I had a genital sore and I went to my GYN. and a swab came back negative. During this time I was very sick with a high fever, cough, etc. For the next year I had no signs or symptoms. All I really get once in a while is an itch also I sometimes get a heavier discharge. In September I had unprotected sex with someone I knew for quite some time and he had claimed to have signs and symptoms due to me. Just in Janurary I got a HerpesSelect HSV-1 and HSV-2 igg blood test, both of which were negative.
My questions are
If the swab was negative what else could have caused the sore?
Are my test results reliable or should I get another blood test at 6 months?
If its not herpes what else can cause the discharge and itch?
Also I have tested negative for all other STDS
My questions are
If the swab was negative what else could have caused the sore?
Are my test results reliable or should I get another blood test at 6 months?
If its not herpes what else can cause the discharge and itch?
Also I have tested negative for all other STDS
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Feb 22, 2008 01:13PM
, Feb 22, 2008 01:13PM
First to the bottom line: it appears you do not have HSV, and herpes acquired from you could not have been the cause of your recent partner's new symptoms.
When primary genital herpes herpes causes genital symptoms at all, usually there are multiple lesions not just one; and if tested early (within a few days of onset), usually the HSV test on the lesion would be positive. Further, when primary herpes causes fever, the genital symptoms usually are prominent and severe; and primary herpes does not cause cough.
These issues don't rule out the possibility of primary herpes in December 2006, but they make it quite unlikely. However, the negative blood test 8-9 months is solid evidence you aren't infected (and never were infected) with HSV-1 or HSV-2. Rare persons don't develop positive blood tests. But adding up all the evidence, you can be 100% certain that herpes didn't explain your illness a year ago and that you did not infected your recent partner.
Vaginal discharge and vulvar itching are just about the most common genital symptoms experienced by women. Yeast infections, dermatitis, nonspecific irritation of various kinds, and that sort of thing-- i.e., mostly non-STD problems. But other STDs also are possible, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomonas. Herpes can cause such symptoms, but if herpes were the cause, if you looked at your genitals you would have seen blisters or open sores.
You don't specifically say whether herpes was diagnosed in your recent partner. If so, either his diagnosis is wrong or he caught it somewhere else. But another possibility is that indeed you were the source of an infection, just something other than herpes.
So if you haven't been examined to check for other STDs and other genital infections or irritation, that's what you should do next. Ideally, you and your partner might visit a single provider to check you out at the same time. Your local health department STD clinic would be an excellent choice, or a Planned Parenthood clinic.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
When primary genital herpes herpes causes genital symptoms at all, usually there are multiple lesions not just one; and if tested early (within a few days of onset), usually the HSV test on the lesion would be positive. Further, when primary herpes causes fever, the genital symptoms usually are prominent and severe; and primary herpes does not cause cough.
These issues don't rule out the possibility of primary herpes in December 2006, but they make it quite unlikely. However, the negative blood test 8-9 months is solid evidence you aren't infected (and never were infected) with HSV-1 or HSV-2. Rare persons don't develop positive blood tests. But adding up all the evidence, you can be 100% certain that herpes didn't explain your illness a year ago and that you did not infected your recent partner.
Vaginal discharge and vulvar itching are just about the most common genital symptoms experienced by women. Yeast infections, dermatitis, nonspecific irritation of various kinds, and that sort of thing-- i.e., mostly non-STD problems. But other STDs also are possible, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomonas. Herpes can cause such symptoms, but if herpes were the cause, if you looked at your genitals you would have seen blisters or open sores.
You don't specifically say whether herpes was diagnosed in your recent partner. If so, either his diagnosis is wrong or he caught it somewhere else. But another possibility is that indeed you were the source of an infection, just something other than herpes.
So if you haven't been examined to check for other STDs and other genital infections or irritation, that's what you should do next. Ideally, you and your partner might visit a single provider to check you out at the same time. Your local health department STD clinic would be an excellent choice, or a Planned Parenthood clinic.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
