my chances for herpes with my symptoms

[mj743]

I am a male. About three and a half weeks ago I had unprotected sex three times that night. A little over a week later I had severe fatigue for about three days, and then on and off mild flu like symptoms after that. My lymphnode in my left armpit swelled up prettty bad for a few days. Exactly three weeks after the encounter, I had one episode of severe burning while urinating, followed by a white/yellow discharge that looked like seamon. This is the only episode of this kind. I have experienced some burning in my buttocks and testicles from time to time, but nothing severe. I have had no bumps, lesions, sores or anything in my groin region. Also, I have had no lyphnode swelling in the groin region at all.  Tests for gonnorea and clamydia (chlamydia) came back negative. I went to a doctor 2 days ago, and the guy felt around the groin area after I told him my symptoms. He basically said I was being paraniod. I asked him about a herpes blood test that I could take months afterwards and he responded "herpes blood tests are basically worthless" (I am sure he was speaking of ALL herpes bloodtests, not just the igm) So my questions are:
1) Does this sound like genital herpes?
2) is my doctor correct that the only real way to test properly for herpes is clinically?
3) what were my chances, with no symptoms, of passing herpes along to another person through unprotected sex a week after this encounter?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I'm glad to hear that you went and got checked as Grace suggested on the HSV Community site.  Your symptoms are not suggestive of herpes and could be due to any number of other things.  They may well be coincidental with the sexual exposure you describe rather than causally related.

As for your questions, I must disagree with your doctor. While 5-10 years ago HSV blood tests were essentially worthless, currently available tests such as the HerpeSelect are accurate and useful in some cases.  your exposure however was low risk and in the absence of symptoms suggestive of HSV, I am not sure a blood test would be a great help.  As for your specific questions:

1.  No, it does not.
2.  No, see my comment above.  
3.  It is unlikely that you have herpes.  Therefore it is VERY unlikely than you would be at risk for passing HSV that you acquired recently on to another person.

Hope these comments help.  EWH

[mj743]

Thanks a lot. Is it possible that these symptoms could be HIV from my exposure? Also, I got the herpes early detection test done this moring, should I trust the result of that test?

Thanks,
M

[mj743]

Sorry, my real worry was he discharge that I experienced, because I felt like that cleary meant I had an STD, because it occurred three weeks after exposure. Is this a fair assumption? and if it is, what else could it be if clymadia and gonorrea came back negative?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I suppose in theory they could be but the chances are very low that thi sis the case. Your risk for HIV is very low from the exposures you diescirbe. It is more likely that you just have some some of virus that was circulating in the community.

The discharge might have been non-chlamydial NGU.  did the doctor check for this?  Beyond that, I would suggest you discuss it with a health care professional who can exmine you and comment/  eWH

[mj743]

Thanks. Tast question if I may. I was prescribed Levoquin 4 days ago and have taken the dosage. I still have slight burning in my urethra however. (thats why I thought it was herpes). For non-chlamydial NGU, would I need another type of antibiotic?

Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Levofloxacin should be effective for NGU.  EWH

[mj743]

My early detection test came back at a 1.3, positive is 1.09. I have HSV1, but have never had an outbreak. What are the chances that my HSV1 is making this test come back at a low positive?

Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I have no idea what an early detection test is.  If you can provide more details perhaps I can help you with interpretation.  Was this a HerpeSelect IgG test?  EWH

[mj743]

it was a igm test. I have never had an outbreak of HSV1.

[mj743]

The test was done 25 days after exposure, the counselor at the testing center said if I have not had any outbreak of HSV1, then this probably means that I have been in contact with HSV2.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

IgM tests are worthless and should be ignored.  The only test which gives useful information is a type specfic IgG test.  No need to move on form your unrealistic fears about having gotten HSV.  EWH

[mj743]

I assume that I have to pay again at some point (don't know when) to discuss this matter with you. I am just so confused with all the information I have been given. I suppose my question now would be, how long do I have to wait realistically to take the IgG test, it has been 28 days now since exposure.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

As you suggest, it is time for this thread to end.  This will be my last response to this series of questions.

IgG serological tests for herpes detect virtually all infections they are going to detect in persons tested 4 months after development of symptoms (the only group they have been comprehensively studied in).  Thus, if you must get tested again (I wish you would not, there is no medical reason to do so), your 4 month result shouldbe considered final.  

I remain flabergasted that you remain so anxious about risk of herpes when there is NO indication that you acquired the infection.  The amount of energy and possibly money you are expending on this is really not in your best interest.  I urge you to seek the help of a counselor or other mental health professional to help put your concerns in a more realistic perspective.  I say this out of concern for you, no other reason. EWH