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STDs (Expert Forum)
Unusual Herpes
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
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.
Unusual Herpes
by kbrick, Jul 02, 2009 11:39AM
I've had an itchy spot on the outside of my labia majora for approx 6 months. At 1st I thought it was nothing but it got more itchy so I went to the gyn who took a culture and blood test. The culture came out negative. Type 1 was neg type 2 was positive and the IGM was positive 1.59 (H) INDEX <1.1. What is the IGM? She said it indicates that I am indeed having an active episode of Herpes. But the itchy spot does NOT look like Herpes. It isn't a blister and it does not progress. I went to a second gyn who said it was dermatitis and gave me Lidex cream which did not help. I took Acyclovir 400 mg 3x a day for 9 days and not much relief. My PC Doctor gave me Famciclovir 500 mg 2x a day that seemed to reduce the itching by 1/2 but NO CHANGE in the skin itchy spot. 1) Is it possible to have a herpes episode with NO blisters but just an itchy spot that lasts for months and months? 2) What does the IGM mean? I got 2 opposing answers to this from 2 gyns (one said I'm active and the other said it just means I have the virus in my system) 3) How do I get rid of this? 4) Can I have sexual relations?
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, Jul 02, 2009 06:47PM
, Jul 02, 2009 06:47PM
The lesions that you describe is not likely to be herpes. Typically herpes infections last a few days (up to 21 for first episodes), not 6 months. As you point out, when they occur they tend to have small blisters which then break to form shallow ulcers before they heal. What you describe does not sound at all like herpes.
As far as your tests are concerned, IgM tests are not recommended for herpes diagnosis as they are often falsely positive due to detection of other antibodies from other past infections (like chicken pox). I know of NO expert who recommends IgM testing for herpes and there is general consensus that IgM tests are worthless. In addition, given the duration of your lesions, if you had HSV, an IgM test would likely have been positive. Finally, had this been herpes, your lesions should have improved and then healed with antiviral therapy. Thus to summarize, there is nothing of what you report that suggests that you have herpes. As for your specific questions:
1. Yes herpes lesions can sometimes have an atypical appearance but they still tend to be self limited and not last 6 months. Your lesions do not sound like herpes.
2. See above. I would urge you to ignore the IgM test result. It is not a good or particularly useful test. I have NEVER recommended its use.
3. Treating something that is not HSV as herpes will not help. I agree with GYN no. 2 that this sounds more like a dermatitis than HSV. If it is not getting better, I'd suggest a dermatologist.
4. I sincerely doubt that this is an STD and doubt that there is any reason to abstain from sex.
Hope these comments help. EWH
As far as your tests are concerned, IgM tests are not recommended for herpes diagnosis as they are often falsely positive due to detection of other antibodies from other past infections (like chicken pox). I know of NO expert who recommends IgM testing for herpes and there is general consensus that IgM tests are worthless. In addition, given the duration of your lesions, if you had HSV, an IgM test would likely have been positive. Finally, had this been herpes, your lesions should have improved and then healed with antiviral therapy. Thus to summarize, there is nothing of what you report that suggests that you have herpes. As for your specific questions:
1. Yes herpes lesions can sometimes have an atypical appearance but they still tend to be self limited and not last 6 months. Your lesions do not sound like herpes.
2. See above. I would urge you to ignore the IgM test result. It is not a good or particularly useful test. I have NEVER recommended its use.
3. Treating something that is not HSV as herpes will not help. I agree with GYN no. 2 that this sounds more like a dermatitis than HSV. If it is not getting better, I'd suggest a dermatologist.
4. I sincerely doubt that this is an STD and doubt that there is any reason to abstain from sex.
Hope these comments help. EWH
