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Positive and Negative tests plus symptoms
Female with potential exposure back in mid-September 2003. Following exposure, had what I would describe as classic primary outbreak, although never blistered in a visible way, but crazy uncomfortable, burning w/urination, wet and oozy. Immunology Testing in Jan of 2004 showed "abnormal" for 1 & 2, then negative for IGM. Negative culture. Recall at the time that I tried both Valtrex and Famvir because symptoms seemed to linger for a long time.
Then nothing for several years.
April of 2006, felt I was having an outrbreak. Symptoms again were wet oozy feeling, slit like sore on either side of vagina, some anal sores, and swelling of the vagina.Went on supression meds, and went to get type specific test. Results 4/19/06 Virus Serologyreads:
HSV 1/2 AB IgG 1.05 (equivical)
HSV 1/2 IgM .89
In the meantime, following course of Valtrex dosage for OB then supression, sores and discharge continue.Research tells me that a better test is available, so I find a source for the HerpeSelect,Quest Diagnostics, which shows up negative for type 1 & 2.
Should be good news but symptoms continue. Rec'd Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis June 1, but the culture turned up negative. Went off supression meds to see what happened, then maybe 4 days later had a culture done of what I thought were sores, also turned up negative. Clinician assures me nothing looked herpes like to her.
My slit-like tears look just like what is posted on the web,especially the one between the vagina and anal area, but no blisters, these symptoms around for months now.
1)I had the one positive blood culture done in 2003,should I assume that test, combined with recurring symptoms indicate I am positive?
2)Should I try to get a PCR test, since cultures have been negative?
3) Repeat HerpeSelect, or try Western Blot?
I would really, really hate to infect anyone else, so I am inclined to pursue testing.Not a single clinician has said "looks like herpes" but symptoms and first pos test result are throwing me for a loop.
Great site, thanks for your help!
Then nothing for several years.
April of 2006, felt I was having an outrbreak. Symptoms again were wet oozy feeling, slit like sore on either side of vagina, some anal sores, and swelling of the vagina.Went on supression meds, and went to get type specific test. Results 4/19/06 Virus Serologyreads:
HSV 1/2 AB IgG 1.05 (equivical)
HSV 1/2 IgM .89
In the meantime, following course of Valtrex dosage for OB then supression, sores and discharge continue.Research tells me that a better test is available, so I find a source for the HerpeSelect,Quest Diagnostics, which shows up negative for type 1 & 2.
Should be good news but symptoms continue. Rec'd Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis June 1, but the culture turned up negative. Went off supression meds to see what happened, then maybe 4 days later had a culture done of what I thought were sores, also turned up negative. Clinician assures me nothing looked herpes like to her.
My slit-like tears look just like what is posted on the web,especially the one between the vagina and anal area, but no blisters, these symptoms around for months now.
1)I had the one positive blood culture done in 2003,should I assume that test, combined with recurring symptoms indicate I am positive?
2)Should I try to get a PCR test, since cultures have been negative?
3) Repeat HerpeSelect, or try Western Blot?
I would really, really hate to infect anyone else, so I am inclined to pursue testing.Not a single clinician has said "looks like herpes" but symptoms and first pos test result are throwing me for a loop.
Great site, thanks for your help!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You need to see a health care provider you trust and who understands genital infections. Planned Parenthood would be a good bet; or an ObG with particular expertise or training in infectious diseases. You're never going to get clear answers by online opinions.
HHH, MD
HHH, MD
There are lots and lots of other possibilities. In the meantime, I just wanted to suggest googling lichen sclerosis as well as vulvodynia to see if the symptoms resonate for you.
Hello seeking wise counsel.I am in the same boat as you but I have only been going through this since November of last year. It has been seven months past exposure and have had four Herpeselect tests, all coming back negative. The thing with me is that I have not had a normal painfree day since then. I have not seen any visible sores down in my genital area, but I have had every symptom associated with herpes type 2. Do you have any prodromal feelings of tingling or a crawling feeling down in that area? Any nerve pain? I don't think you mentioned this on your post? I hope you can get this figured out, although I am not help, I am having the same things going on and any answers would be useful at this point. I just don't understand why this disease is so hard to diagnose and figue out. Good luck to you. I believe you posted on Wed md as well, so have I. It helps me to know that I am not the only one feeling this way.
I just looked up past postings on yeast infections...the duration of symptoms certainly seems similar.
In fact, would stress, fatigue and a really poor diet (have lost 6 pounds in 2 months and now weigh 106)contribute to a stubborn yeast infection? Plus I have been wearing pantiliners for the first time in my life these past few months to stave off that oozy wet feeling...another contributor?
I would love to take my negative test results and run with them. The hard truth is that these sores are uncomfortable, which on a daily basis since April have ranged from VERY uncomfortable to mild discomfort. Uncomfortable enough that I don't want to have sex because clearly something is NOT right. I am 42 yrs old and know my body and something is not right! Feel that even as of today new sores have opened up, maybe the supression meds were helping. Surely in all the patients you have seen, some have sensed tht something was not right in their bodies...and found it to be so.I hope you are right and I am wrong. What if I am one of the 2% with a false negative HerpeSelect, who also has atypical lesions? And don't some people suffer back to back outbreaks, which is what I feel is happening...I am not one who routinely sweats the small stuff..or obsesses over health. Whatever I am experiencing, it really sucks.
I am taking another viral culture tomorrow at a clinic.. I wish I could get a PCR done, but my gyn won't see me for that until late Thursday...Hope to have answer to satisfy us both next week.
you mentioned a yeast infection...I don't have any itching. Could it be hormonal? Check again for BV? What typ fo thing would a dermatologist be looking for?
Thank you, again, for your help. If anyone has experience similar to this, please chime in.
I am taking another viral culture tomorrow at a clinic.. I wish I could get a PCR done, but my gyn won't see me for that until late Thursday...Hope to have answer to satisfy us both next week.
you mentioned a yeast infection...I don't have any itching. Could it be hormonal? Check again for BV? What typ fo thing would a dermatologist be looking for?
Thank you, again, for your help. If anyone has experience similar to this, please chime in.
Why don't you get an opinion off a dermatologist? Might be useful. Good luck.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The HerpeSelect test results are reliable; all your other blood test results are not. There is no "pos test result" in the results you list in your question. IgM test results always are meaningless. I don't know exactly what test was done to give the result "HSV 1/2 AB IgG 1.05", but it wasn't a type-specific assay.
Whatever is causing your genital symptoms, it isn't HSV (of either type); you do not have genital herpes. Although herpes can cause "slit-like tears", this is an atypical appearance of herpes, and other things (e.g., yeast infections) can cause identical lesions. I see no need for further testing--take the good news of your HerpeSlect result and run with it!
If this reassurance doesn't quite satisfy you, find a provider who knows herpes well and has access to a lab that offers HSV PCR testing. Then arrange to see that provider immediately (within a day) if/when your genital lesions reappear. But in the meantime, you can safely assume you do not have herpes, or anything else you can transmit to a sex partner.
I hope this helps. Good luck-- HHH, MD
Whatever is causing your genital symptoms, it isn't HSV (of either type); you do not have genital herpes. Although herpes can cause "slit-like tears", this is an atypical appearance of herpes, and other things (e.g., yeast infections) can cause identical lesions. I see no need for further testing--take the good news of your HerpeSlect result and run with it!
If this reassurance doesn't quite satisfy you, find a provider who knows herpes well and has access to a lab that offers HSV PCR testing. Then arrange to see that provider immediately (within a day) if/when your genital lesions reappear. But in the meantime, you can safely assume you do not have herpes, or anything else you can transmit to a sex partner.
I hope this helps. Good luck-- 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.
