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Risky encounter
In March, I had a risky 1 time encounter with a male that I suspect to have hsv2(did not know at time). I am a female and had a few seconds (a couple of strokes) of unprotected genital sex. The male then put a condom on and continued sex for a few mins. The only other contact was kissing.
I began to have symptoms of UTI, tired, achy, leg pain, feverish a couple of months later. Went to the dr thefollowing day & had no UTI but was given anibiotic. Symptoms went away, but came back the following month. I became very worried & went to have bloodwork for all std's a month after. Everything negative except hsv1, but I've had a few cold sores in llife.
Symptoms still persisted & felt like a yeast infection, so I went to gyn. He said yeast infection and saw no sign of hsv. He prescribed a cream & when I was putting it on I felt a cluster of bumps inside vagina. Went back to gyn 1 week later. He done visual exam & felt bumps, but said they did not concern him. He did swab & bloodwork per my request. Called 2 days later & said swab was + for hsv(test wasnt specific to type), said labcorp result said swab was initially found neg. for hsv, but retested the swab & found + for what seems to be consistent with type1.
My ? is could I really have been Infected from this contact (1 time), also would you assume this is type 2 since I'm sure I already had type 1 orally? But shouldnt my igg specific test have been positive by 15 weeks after exposure?
Also when outbreaks seem to be gone, I still feel sort of flat bumps inside my vagina...is this hpv also that I am feeling. I've not been tested for hpv but I'm concerned of that also. Please help. I also posted on herpes community but wanted a Dr's advice also. Thank you.
I began to have symptoms of UTI, tired, achy, leg pain, feverish a couple of months later. Went to the dr thefollowing day & had no UTI but was given anibiotic. Symptoms went away, but came back the following month. I became very worried & went to have bloodwork for all std's a month after. Everything negative except hsv1, but I've had a few cold sores in llife.
Symptoms still persisted & felt like a yeast infection, so I went to gyn. He said yeast infection and saw no sign of hsv. He prescribed a cream & when I was putting it on I felt a cluster of bumps inside vagina. Went back to gyn 1 week later. He done visual exam & felt bumps, but said they did not concern him. He did swab & bloodwork per my request. Called 2 days later & said swab was + for hsv(test wasnt specific to type), said labcorp result said swab was initially found neg. for hsv, but retested the swab & found + for what seems to be consistent with type1.
My ? is could I really have been Infected from this contact (1 time), also would you assume this is type 2 since I'm sure I already had type 1 orally? But shouldnt my igg specific test have been positive by 15 weeks after exposure?
Also when outbreaks seem to be gone, I still feel sort of flat bumps inside my vagina...is this hpv also that I am feeling. I've not been tested for hpv but I'm concerned of that also. Please help. I also posted on herpes community but wanted a Dr's advice also. Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Sorry I missed your 9/17 post.
"The hsv2 was less than 0.91. Praise the Lord!! Would you consider this conclusive at 6 months post exposure?" Yes. This makes it likely your positive ELVIS test was false. You can go forward with confidence you don't have HSV-2.
Since Terri is also advising you about testing, I would suggest you discuss the details with her. I'll just say you don't need a Quest lab in your immediate vicinity; any doctor's office can send a specimen to Quest. However, given the test result above, perhaps Terri would now advise you don't need the WB test.
Let's end this thread. Follow up on the herpes forum with Terri.
"The hsv2 was less than 0.91. Praise the Lord!! Would you consider this conclusive at 6 months post exposure?" Yes. This makes it likely your positive ELVIS test was false. You can go forward with confidence you don't have HSV-2.
Since Terri is also advising you about testing, I would suggest you discuss the details with her. I'll just say you don't need a Quest lab in your immediate vicinity; any doctor's office can send a specimen to Quest. However, given the test result above, perhaps Terri would now advise you don't need the WB test.
Let's end this thread. Follow up on the herpes forum with Terri.
I was wondering if you could offer any advice? I have tried becoming a phone patient of Terri Warren in order to obtain a western blot because I am having a milky discharge & symptoms of hsv. Terri was in agreement that I needed a western blot due to symptoms & positive culture-but there is no Quest Labs nearby. Please help me? Do you think the self collected swabs would be my best bet at this point? I feel like you or Terri are my only hope at this point. My gyn says my culture was positive & type is irrelevant- I just need to move past this. I am desperate to get to the bottom of this.... please help me.
Dr H,
I went last week for full panel STD testing and hsv igg type specific. The nurse just called and said all was negative except hsv1 (which I knew). The hsv1 was 5.74. The hsv2 was less than 0.91. Praise the Lord!! Would you consider this conclusive at 6 months post exposure? I did take generic valtrex, but only intermittently. Between my 18 week post exposure diagnosis (if you will) and now I have probably taken 35 pills. I really didn't know when to take them, so every time I thought I had a symptom I took some. I did not take anything at all between the time of the risky encounter and my 15 week, 3 day igg test - which was hsv1 greater than 5.00 and hsv2 less than 0.90. Thanks Dr H for your great service, can I let this go or should I re test? The positive ELVIS swab with that weird wording and no typing is in the back of my mind. But, I'm ready to let this go if you see fit. Thanks again!!
I went last week for full panel STD testing and hsv igg type specific. The nurse just called and said all was negative except hsv1 (which I knew). The hsv1 was 5.74. The hsv2 was less than 0.91. Praise the Lord!! Would you consider this conclusive at 6 months post exposure? I did take generic valtrex, but only intermittently. Between my 18 week post exposure diagnosis (if you will) and now I have probably taken 35 pills. I really didn't know when to take them, so every time I thought I had a symptom I took some. I did not take anything at all between the time of the risky encounter and my 15 week, 3 day igg test - which was hsv1 greater than 5.00 and hsv2 less than 0.90. Thanks Dr H for your great service, can I let this go or should I re test? The positive ELVIS swab with that weird wording and no typing is in the back of my mind. But, I'm ready to let this go if you see fit. Thanks again!!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Those results are conclusive. But it is clear that no matter what I can possibly say, you're going to remain frightened. I recommend counseling to deal with your multiple anxieties about all this; I suggest it from compassion, not criticism.
I do look forward to hearing your final HSV WB results. If you post anything else, though, the entire thread will be deleted. I'm not insensitive to your issues, but this is not a counseing service.
I do look forward to hearing your final HSV WB results. If you post anything else, though, the entire thread will be deleted. I'm not insensitive to your issues, but this is not a counseing service.
I know that this thread is closed, but I am hoping & begging that you not delete this entire thread. Please let me know if I need to pay again & open another thread for this post. Since it has been 6 months since the encounter I am thinking of going for confirmatory testing & would like to know what I should retest for. Is RPR testing for syphilis because I see this listed on my 15 week & 18 week blood test result? Both times the result was non-reactive, is this confirmatory at 15 & 18 weeks or should I retest? Also HIV test was non reactive at 15 weeks with HIV AB, HIV 1/2 EIA. At 18 weeks my HIV test was non reactive with an index value of <1.00, test type was HIV 1/0/2 ABS (LabCorp test# 083824). should I only retest for HSV? Are my rpr & HIV results conclusive in this time window? Thank you, I'm still scared to death.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
" I've just been trying to accept and come to terms with the fact that I have HSV2...."
I don't expect very much from questioners on this forum, but I do expect them to pay attention to my replies. As I said both August 4 and 6, you probably do NOT have HSV-2. Only a Western blot test will tell for sure, but I expect it to be negative.
Feel free to return with a final comment when you have had a Western blot test. Until then, this thread is closed and I will delete any other comments.
I don't expect very much from questioners on this forum, but I do expect them to pay attention to my replies. As I said both August 4 and 6, you probably do NOT have HSV-2. Only a Western blot test will tell for sure, but I expect it to be negative.
Feel free to return with a final comment when you have had a Western blot test. Until then, this thread is closed and I will delete any other comments.
Thanks for your reply. I've just been trying to accept and come to terms with the fact that I have HSV2, I have not done any further testing. Do you think the test would be worth it, is there some sliver of hope based on HSV2 less than .91 herpeselect at 15 weeks & the ELVIS results? Do you find the terminology on my ELVIS test result odd or out of the norm? I really think I'm infected with HSV2, my thighs, tailbone, and legs constantly ache & I have weird discharge. I feel so unhealthy since this stupid mistake, I was perfectly healthy prior to this incident & now I ache all the time. Thank you for your response & time.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi, its me Terri, Betsy let me know that you had posted the response to my question. My advice remains the same - get a western blot.
Terri
Terri
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No comment.
Just a side note, no where on these results did it mention hsv-1 so I am not sure if my gyn just told me it was type 1 because I'd told him that I previously tested + for hsv-1 via igg test by Quest Diagnostics. This is very disturbing to me. I don't expect a response, but just wanted to add that.
Thank you for replying.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This really doesn't change anything. I would consider this an equivocal result, i.e. neither reliably positive nor negative. Considering it with all the other evidence, it doesn't change my opinion. As stated above, "I don't think you have HSV-2"; and since your already have had (oral) HSV-1, genital HSV-1 infection is also unlikely.
That's definitely the end of this thread. Take care.
That's definitely the end of this thread. Take care.
Per the advice of Terri, I went to the Dr & got a copy of my results. I know this thread is closed, but Terri did ask that I do this & give results. Here goes, I am even more confused & feel like my dr was dishonest.
1st results received from LabCorp 7/11/12:
HSV culture without typing: Posiive
Another result from same culture was sent 7/17/12:
HSV Culture and Typing: Positive
Culture positive for HSV. Typing of this isolate was not possible. The sensitivity of the ELVIS culture system now used in the primary culture is higher than the sensitivity of the monoclonal antibody reagents used for typing. The specimen was recultured but due to the low viral titer we were unable to reisolate the virus for typing. Data from our validation studies indicates that these low titer specimens represent less than 1% of the herpes-positive specimens, and that in many instances the specimen would have been negative by the conventional method.
I guess this means I am positive? Please help me comprehend this.
1st results received from LabCorp 7/11/12:
HSV culture without typing: Posiive
Another result from same culture was sent 7/17/12:
HSV Culture and Typing: Positive
Culture positive for HSV. Typing of this isolate was not possible. The sensitivity of the ELVIS culture system now used in the primary culture is higher than the sensitivity of the monoclonal antibody reagents used for typing. The specimen was recultured but due to the low viral titer we were unable to reisolate the virus for typing. Data from our validation studies indicates that these low titer specimens represent less than 1% of the herpes-positive specimens, and that in many instances the specimen would have been negative by the conventional method.
I guess this means I am positive? Please help me comprehend this.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You wrote HIV. Did you mean HSV?
The HSV IgG tests achieve maximum reliability by 3-4 months; 15 weeks is close enough. However, 2-5% of people with HSV-2 never develop positive results. And as discussed above, this might be more frequent in people who have taken anti-HSV treatment like Valtrex. That's why Terri Warren recommended an HSV Western blot test. Discuss it with your doctor. I don't think you have HSV-2, but if you want 100% assurance, that's the way to go.
That's definitely all for this thread. I won't have any more comments or advice.
The HSV IgG tests achieve maximum reliability by 3-4 months; 15 weeks is close enough. However, 2-5% of people with HSV-2 never develop positive results. And as discussed above, this might be more frequent in people who have taken anti-HSV treatment like Valtrex. That's why Terri Warren recommended an HSV Western blot test. Discuss it with your doctor. I don't think you have HSV-2, but if you want 100% assurance, that's the way to go.
That's definitely all for this thread. I won't have any more comments or advice.
Sorry, you just confused me before about a blood test being completely accurate at 18 months. I took the igg test at 15 weeks?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks to Terri Warren for her input.
HIV testing is always 100% reliable after 6-8 weeks or longer after the last possible exposure. Your 15 an 18 week results prove you don't have it.
Beyond that, you're really looking for more detail and nuance than is practical for an online forum, and you're beginning to re-ask questions that have already been answered. See my advice above about working with your doctor on the remaining questions, and mine and Terri's about what other testing might be warranted.
That closes this thread. Good luck.
HIV testing is always 100% reliable after 6-8 weeks or longer after the last possible exposure. Your 15 an 18 week results prove you don't have it.
Beyond that, you're really looking for more detail and nuance than is practical for an online forum, and you're beginning to re-ask questions that have already been answered. See my advice above about working with your doctor on the remaining questions, and mine and Terri's about what other testing might be warranted.
That closes this thread. Good luck.
Please read last 2 posts and this one, I prmise it's the last. I tested negative for HIV at 15 weeks and at 18 weeks. Would you consider this a confirmatory result?
Please read the previous post also, I just thought of more to add. As for the cold sores/fever blisters - they appear on my lip when I get them & last about a week I think (it's been a while). I wanted to ask, I feel achy in my legs & tailbone a lot, with hsv this should come & go shouldn't it? Also, some things I've read say the achiness should only be with initial outbreak? The bumps inside my vagina never completely clear, they may change a little but never go away. These are the bumps that I feel & my dr feels, but says they do not look abnormal? I appreciate you jumping in & offering help in this matter, it means a lot. Thank you.
I remember having something like a cold sore my senior year of high school & seems like a few after that. Nothing recent & no, I never had those tested. I will get a copy of my results from my gyn Monday. In your opinion was the hsv non type specific culture done by lab Corp probably not a culture if they called with results in 2 days? My igg results completed by quest diagnostics at 15 weeks post exposure were greater than 5.00 for type 1 an less than 0.90 for type 2. Shouldn't I at least have been a low positive by this time if it was type 2? Thank you, your input and concern is greatly appreciated.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi, Its Terri Warren from the herpes board. Your situation is certainly confusing, to say the least.
I have a few thoughts - are you absolutely certain that what you have orally is HSV 1 infection? Can you tell us a little more about how they look, where they are, how long they last? Have you had them tested? at what age did you first notice them? Were they ever tested?
As for your testing that sounded so very sketchy. i'm wondering about the swab test. You can get an ELVIS style test back in two days without typing, so I'm thinking that might have been done. I would march in and ask for physical copies of your lab results. The new health care laws say you can also get them from the lab as well as the provider that ordered them.. You could post them here, just so we are all dealing with apples and not apples and oranges.
I think I would also recommend a western blot for clarification of your status. Unfortunately Quest labs no longer offers the test and instead offers one call inhibition assay which I have less confidence in. There are two ways you can get the western blot. One is to contact UW directly and they will send you a test kit and hte other is to become an official patient of our clinic. You can do this on the phone. Quest has agreed to let me continue to order them all around the US because I order them so very often
I would ask your provider for swabs, as Hunter mentioned, to have at home so you can capture symptoms at the very first hint of an outbreak of something. Swab aggressively and bring it to your provider to send to the lab.Sometimes this helps.
I hope you will stay on this, answers may be coming soon!
Terri
I have a few thoughts - are you absolutely certain that what you have orally is HSV 1 infection? Can you tell us a little more about how they look, where they are, how long they last? Have you had them tested? at what age did you first notice them? Were they ever tested?
As for your testing that sounded so very sketchy. i'm wondering about the swab test. You can get an ELVIS style test back in two days without typing, so I'm thinking that might have been done. I would march in and ask for physical copies of your lab results. The new health care laws say you can also get them from the lab as well as the provider that ordered them.. You could post them here, just so we are all dealing with apples and not apples and oranges.
I think I would also recommend a western blot for clarification of your status. Unfortunately Quest labs no longer offers the test and instead offers one call inhibition assay which I have less confidence in. There are two ways you can get the western blot. One is to contact UW directly and they will send you a test kit and hte other is to become an official patient of our clinic. You can do this on the phone. Quest has agreed to let me continue to order them all around the US because I order them so very often
I would ask your provider for swabs, as Hunter mentioned, to have at home so you can capture symptoms at the very first hint of an outbreak of something. Swab aggressively and bring it to your provider to send to the lab.Sometimes this helps.
I hope you will stay on this, answers may be coming soon!
Terri
Okay. Thanks I will not post anymore, but when you say 18 months is more than enough time for hsv to show up? I tested for hsv 1 & 2 via igg blood test at 15 weeks post exposure. That's confusing me? Sorry. Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A culture is only positive or negative, i.e. would not give a "weak" positive result, and cannot give results in only 2 days. In other words, the result you report suggests that PCR was done, regardless of what was requested. LabCorp may routinely test by PCR even when culture is ordered. I'm afraid you'll have to clarify this with your doctor's office and/or the laboratory.
18 months is more than enough time for positive HSV-2 results. This is one of the reasons I doubt you have HSV-2.
Do you "have any hope whatsoever" that you don't have genital herpes? Yes indeed. I already told you I believe you do not. I also gave advice about additional testing that might sort it out.
That's going to have to end this thread. You shouldn't expect to return indefinitely with additional questions that come to mind. Your doctor should be able to answer any further ones, and to advise you about my ideas for further testing.
18 months is more than enough time for positive HSV-2 results. This is one of the reasons I doubt you have HSV-2.
Do you "have any hope whatsoever" that you don't have genital herpes? Yes indeed. I already told you I believe you do not. I also gave advice about additional testing that might sort it out.
That's going to have to end this thread. You shouldn't expect to return indefinitely with additional questions that come to mind. Your doctor should be able to answer any further ones, and to advise you about my ideas for further testing.
Dr. I just arrived home & looked at the laboratory bill that I received from Lab corp, it's just a description as to what was done. It says "HSV culture without Typing." My question is, do you know if lab Corp would typically do a pcr for that or was it probably a culture that is accurate? I took the test on a Monday morning & received results by lunchtime that Wednesday, would that be enough time for a culture or was it probably a pcr? I'm so sorry, I just want to know if I have any hope whatsoever. If you would comment I would much appreciate it. Also is 18 weeks post exposure long enough for HIV negative results to be considered confirmatory?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
His general knowledge, judgment, and perspective are just as important as specific herpes expertise, so this doesn't change my opinion or advice. I think you should stick with him.
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.
