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STDs (Expert Forum)
don't know what to do
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.
don't know what to do
by helpmeoutplease, Aug 07, 2006 12:00AM
so ive had sex 3 times vaginally in my life with 3 seperate partners.. im a guy by the way. i had sex once without a condom. i have had oral sex done to me before..maybe from 5 women at most.
a couple weeks after i had sex without a condom i developed a red circular spot on my penis about the size of a dime. i went to an infectious disease doc who tested me for everything but herpes cuz he said (without testing) that it was not herpes. so he sent me to a urologist who gave me an steroidal cream because he says its psorioasis and that is it very common. and the spot went away after about 1-2 weeks.
there was never any pain, blistering, etc.
so i just asked a doctor at work (im a nurse) if he could write me a prescription for some blood work and also for a herpes profile. i just got the results in the mail today. here are the results:
HSV I/II IgG = 45.3 normal is supposed to be <0.9
HSV IgM I/II Combination = <0.91 normal is supposed to be <0.91
does this mean i have herpes? ive been trying to get an appointment for an i.d. doctor but none could see me as soon as i'd like and i've come across this site before so i figured i'd give it a shot.
the spot had recurred again (in the same exact spot without pain or blistering etc.)about 1 and half months ago which is why i wanted to get tested. i saw the same urologist who assured me it was not herpes but now these test results (particularly the IgG) is making me truly anxious. i know i can't get a viral swab because there is no blistering. how can i know for sure??.. please help me
a couple weeks after i had sex without a condom i developed a red circular spot on my penis about the size of a dime. i went to an infectious disease doc who tested me for everything but herpes cuz he said (without testing) that it was not herpes. so he sent me to a urologist who gave me an steroidal cream because he says its psorioasis and that is it very common. and the spot went away after about 1-2 weeks.
there was never any pain, blistering, etc.
so i just asked a doctor at work (im a nurse) if he could write me a prescription for some blood work and also for a herpes profile. i just got the results in the mail today. here are the results:
HSV I/II IgG = 45.3 normal is supposed to be <0.9
HSV IgM I/II Combination = <0.91 normal is supposed to be <0.91
does this mean i have herpes? ive been trying to get an appointment for an i.d. doctor but none could see me as soon as i'd like and i've come across this site before so i figured i'd give it a shot.
the spot had recurred again (in the same exact spot without pain or blistering etc.)about 1 and half months ago which is why i wanted to get tested. i saw the same urologist who assured me it was not herpes but now these test results (particularly the IgG) is making me truly anxious. i know i can't get a viral swab because there is no blistering. how can i know for sure??.. please help me
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Aug 07, 2006 12:00AM
, Aug 07, 2006 12:00AM
Having seen 2 providers who both say your penile lesion isn't herpes, you can be sure it isn't. Psoriasis is common on the penis and it often responds to steroids, which herpes does not. But if in doubt, get one more opinion from a dermatologist.
So there really was no reason for the HSV blood test. From the results you give, it looks like your doctor friend probably ordered a non-type-specific test. It shows you are infected with HSV, but not whether you have HSV-1, HSV-2, or both. Because 50% of the population has HSV-1 and only 25% has HSV-2, it is most likely you have HSV-1, but there is no way to know without an additional test with a proper, type-specific blood test. Ask your doc/friend to order a HerpeSelect test or the BiokitUSA test; or just have the specimen sent to Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp, which routinely do HerpeSelect.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
So there really was no reason for the HSV blood test. From the results you give, it looks like your doctor friend probably ordered a non-type-specific test. It shows you are infected with HSV, but not whether you have HSV-1, HSV-2, or both. Because 50% of the population has HSV-1 and only 25% has HSV-2, it is most likely you have HSV-1, but there is no way to know without an additional test with a proper, type-specific blood test. Ask your doc/friend to order a HerpeSelect test or the BiokitUSA test; or just have the specimen sent to Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp, which routinely do HerpeSelect.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
