Possible Herpes - descrete test

[SkinJ]

Hello,

I posted yesterday, but for some reason my post has gone, I am not sure where, but I would like to know if I have contracted Herpes.

Last week I slept with a woman, who I have been having an affair with for some time. We had a lot of sex. This week I developed a red spot that then burst and now is what I can only say an ulcer of some kind at the end of my penis on the shaft. Its uncomfortable rather than painful (not agony) and its not openly weeping or anything like that. It seems to be taking a long time to heal and has scabbed over twice but comes off in the bath. I have never had this kind of thing before in terms of spots on my penis. I am concerned that she has given me herpes as I also have a mild stomach ache that seems to be present most days now.

Is there a descrete test I can have carried out that would determine if this were herpes. I have asked her earlier on in the relationship if she had any thing she might give me, but she said she had been tested in the past. Now of course she may not know she has herpes and in fact may not have it at all. I don't know my status and that is the problem. I did have a test after meeting and having sex with her in case I contracted anything. But I was clear then (Christmas 2008) and I assumed she was too. Now I am not so sure.

What are the options here - I do not want to go to my doctor. Can I buy a testing kit? Is there such a test.

Concerened as ever.

[SkinJ]

Hi Grace,

I was potentially exposed 23rd March and since my last post I thought I'd update you. The lesion / ulcer has healed over but took much longer than I thought possible to do so. Some other features of this are swollen glands in my groin on the left hand side, these developed after I went to the doctor. Also a reddend forskin on the left hand side. The swollen glands are still there now, although smaller than they were last week.

Also just a feeling of being run down. Now it could be that the glands in my groin simply reacted to whatever caused the lesion, not sure. Another symptom was a redness to my forskin which has now also gone, leaving flaking skin behind. Both the lesion and this feature are nothing I have had before.

What is puzzling me is the lack of blisters and pain. From accounts I have read, herpes hurts. I find the symptoms articles where by people are described as having little or no symptoms equally baffling.

So if it is not Herpes then I am at a loss as to what it is, other than some strange bacterial infection. Is this possible?

I will aim to get tested an igg test, igm testing seems faulty and will wait the 4 months out.

[gracefromHHP]

Have your partner get tested and see what their results are and go from there.  

Yes you have to wait 4 months for another blood test.  Neither of those sites have labs outside of the US.

grace

[SkinJ]

Hi Grace,

I was tested (blood test) at Christmas for herpes type 1 and 2 and at that time I was negative, both counts. Now if this is an exposure and possible contraction of herpes, how soon can I test to make sure. I saw that the time scale was something like 4 months for sero conversion. Are blood tests more accurate, sooner now?

I do not live in the States, but will check those sites out for a possible private clinic in the UK.

[gracefromHHP]

If you are concerned - both you and your partner should go get a type specific herpes igg blood test to see who has what. If you are in the US, you can order this up yourselves thru either www.healthcheckusa.com or www.tstd.org if either of them have a participating lab near you.

grace

[SkinJ]

Hi Grace, I went to the clinic as discussed and had the leasion examined by the doctor there. She looked at it and then examined my glands, in my groin area and asked me how painful it was. Finding no lumps in terms of glands and by my own admision the leason is not overly painful she took the view that it was not herpes and so haivng discussed this with me at the time decided not to take a swab of the (at that time) healing leasion. The doctor concluded that is was simply a bacterial infection of a sebacious gland, of which I have several on the forskin / shaft of my penis. She said that the skin is very thin there and due to the rigourous activities of the week before this is most likely what had happend.

She also said that herpes is a blister rather than a pimple and that would be a good indication of infection not being herpes.

The leasion is still there, still scabs over, but is not as deep as before.

I am not entirely sure that was the correct conclusion as I have felt quite nautious on occasion, although I also think that what she said is quite plausable.

Grace your opinion on this situation is appreciated. Anyone else, please feel free to comment.

[SkinJ]

Hi Grace,

Ok - that seems a very good idea. I will go to  a clinic tomorrow and get a test performed.

Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/Could-this-be-herpes/show/860001?personal_page_id=92435&post_id=post_4236768  is your post from yesterday.

It's too early for any testing you could order up on your own if it's available near you. Your best bet is to go and be seen and get a lesion culture done for starters.

grace