Herpes Help

[movingon484]

In July 2010 I had a pcr swab on genital lesion (right shaft) which was negative. The symptons were red rash, occassional itch the size of a very small coin. Foolishly I applied 'bio oil' which may or may not have aggrevated the symptons. The PCR was taken on day 21 which was when the lesion were most active. No fluid like vessicles appeared to the naked eye at any stage, however when the PCR was taken it was clearly weeping and the skin had opened up to expose a raw looking layer.Perhaps because of the bio oil. I dont know.

I had herpeselect serology at 2 weeks , 4 weeks, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months and 6 months which was all negative for HSV1 and 2 igg and igm. In Australian they do not appear to provide any data to the patient other than negative or positive.

Since March 2011 a dry red rash has reappered in the same genital area every five weeks on the righ shaft which was quickly fixed with 'Elocon ointment', I am told it is simply contact dermetities. I also had another PCR on the area which came nach negative, the PCR was taken within 24 hours of rash appearing.


I am worried that the red rashes since March is a separate new issue to last years possible herpe OB.

1. I am worried that the OB in July was still herpes as the PCR was taken way too late for it to be accurate, can I simply rely on the serology testing which occured at the six month point?
2. Its now 15 months later, should I have another blood test?
3. I am worried if I do it will come back false positive

thanks for your help

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You also asked this in a new question, which was deleted.  Superfluous and duplicative threads are not permitted.

This information does not change my opininon or advice.  In the new thread, you also wrote "This has changed my life, from severe insomnia to deep bouts of depression and anxiety, I just want the seeds of doubts in my mind to stop."  That is a serious overreaction and clearly denotes a mental health problem.  It is not normal to be so resistant to science and common sense.  You do not have herpes, period.  Follow my advice above to learn the cause of the problem; and please seek professional mental health care for yor depression.  I recommend it from compassion, not criticism.  But this forum is not a substitute for that, so there will be no further comments or discussion.  Good luck.

[movingon484]

Thank you

I should have said 'lesions' not just lesion. Not sure if that makes any difference to your advice.

On the 21st day of the symptoms when I woke to see the broken raw skin it had climbed from the orginal patch up the shaft where there was no previous sign of lesions.

Does any of this make a difference to your reply?

Thanks again

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.

Herpes can cause highly variable skin lesions; some outbreaks are atypical.  But based on your description, your penile skin problem was more than atyptical for herpes.  It was really inconsistent with that diagnosis.  I have never heard of a herpes lesion causing a red, coin-sized patch; and no herpes lesion would ever persist 21 days.  So on the basis of the skin lesion and the negative PCR, herpes can be dismissed as a cause.  In addition, you now have the negative blood tests.  And on top of all that, there are numerous nonm-STD genital skin rashes that recur from time to time.  In fact, the majority of recurrent genital rashes are due to things other than HSV.  Taken together, all the evidence amounts to virtually 100% proof you don't have genital herpes and never did.

1) There is no realistic chance you have genital herpes.

2,3) I believe you fear a false negative result, not false positive.  But all the evidence is that your negative result is a true negative and I see no point in another HSV blood test.

If or when the penile rash reappears, see a dermatologist immediately (within a few days) of onset.  Most likely you'll turn out to have lichen planus, psoriasis, eczema, or any of the many other potential causes of recurrent penile rashes.  Whatever is going on, for sure it isn't herpes.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD