Herpes possibility?

[med3510]

I'm a gay male who in the past month or so has had unprotected oral sex (both giving and receiving) and protected anal sex (me being the top).  On Friday, I started to notice a chancre or some kind of sore on the top of my penis, right by the opening/urethra.  It hasn't really developed into anything bigger yet, and there is no puss coming from it, also it isn't like a blister either.  So not really sure what it is.  I'm worried it could be a sign of herpes, and so wondered what people's thoughts were?  Could it be herpes or perhaps syphilis?

I am thinking of going tomorrow to get it checked out, but any thoughts beforehand would be greatly received.  Thanks.

[med3510]

Hi Bobrope

I haven't been on any suppressive therapy, so I should rely on the results.  Strange though that I didn't get a positive on the HSV1, considering the culture was done over 2 years ago...

I won't worry about that - I'm already a worrier, so don't need anything more.

My doctor is sending me to a urologist to see if they can work out what else is going on.  

[bobrope45]

as Grace already told you, it's highly unlikely for you not be showing a positive result after 16 weeks. so woo-hoo!

if you need some peace of mind, ask for a WB - it will probably give you a positive result for HSV1, since you had a confirmed culture.

were you ever on suppressive therapy? theorically, that might delay antibody production, but I don't think you should really worry about such hypothesis.

[gracefromHHP]

time to woohoo dear :)

[med3510]

So got my iGG results back today, which were 16 weeks and 1 day from the last sexual exposure.  They were:

HSV1 - 0.14
HSV2 - 0.47

So my doctor thinks the iGM positive result is erroneous, which I know is what many herpes experts say too.

I'm a little confused still as I still feel like I have some symptoms, but I have to believe the medical professionals.  Trying to say woohoo but not quite there yet!

Thank you to everyone on here for the support and information.

[bobrope45]

So what was the result of your Igg now? When was the last time you had sex before the symptoms appeared?

[Mistakeguy789]

This has been discussed over and over.  

In order to have tranmission you need direct skin-to-skin contact with a herpes being active on the sin such as an outbreak or viral shedding.  

You need to move on from this.  If you can't then you need to seek out professional assistance with dealing this.

[med3510]

That's why I told the doctor I wanted another iGG test.  So that came back today.

On another note, I've read that genital-hand-genital/anus transmission of herpes is pretty low risk - can you confirm this?  Thanks.

[gracefromHHP]

you should've never wasted your time or money on herpes igm testing.

[med3510]

Hi there,

So I got another iGM test back today and it was positive at 1.6.  I had another iGG done which I am waiting for the results.  Am now a little nervous that I do have it.

I'll come back when I get that result back.

[gracefromHHP]

any further posts will be reported to the moderators for removal. please do not continue asking questions here on this forum as there is nothing else we can tell you.

[petal130]

Terri is already helping you on the expert's forum, we won't second guess here advice here.

[med3510]

I have another question - I've had what I'm presuming are sores on the top of the urethra for over 4 weeks now and they haven't gone away.  I also have pain in my testicles and inner thighs, groin area, lymph nodes I'm guessing, and sometimes when I pee as well.  I've read that inner thigh pain is part of the prodomal phase but nothing seems to come up in terms of new sores.  I'm just confused as to what this could be, and would like to ask if it sounds like herpes to everyone here. Thanks.

[Mistakeguy789]

We aren't going to play the guessing game.  You can follow up with Terri further.  

[med3510]

I posted the question on the doctor's forum and this was Terri Warren's response.  Although she thinks I will be negative too, she is concerned - any thoughts?

I also believe it is very likely that you don't have herpes.  I am concerned by your statement that you had sores on the penis.  You specifically said sores, and there aren't very many things that cause sores on the penis, actually, so that comment still concerns me just a bit.  I am also just very slightly concerned about your relatively high negative value on your HSV 2 antibody test. The last thing I am concerned about is is the STD clinician's opinion that the sores looked herpetic.   I actually also believe that you are negative, but if you were my patient, given the three things described above, I would like to see you get tested once more in about 4-6 weeks, and maybe this time with a western blot if you can get it.  You might not live in the US, in which case, the IgG is fine, but absolutely forget the IgM test.  

My response is very cautious here, admittedly.  There is just something about the contents of your post that give me slight concern.

Terri

[gracefromHHP]

sweetie - go woohoo and stop worrying about this. I think it's time to end this post. I'm not going to play the "what if" game with you. we've already given you the most up to date info on herpes testing and your provider is misinformed by still relying on the herpes igm test. don't waste your time with more igm testing.

[med3510]

Hi there,

Another paranoid question!  The doctor said that the iGM test shows a recent infection.  If that is the case, is it possible that mine is just taking a longer time than normal to show antibodies?  She did say that mine was very borderline however.

Her suggestion was to do the iGM test in another month from the last test.  

I really want to go 'woohoo' on being negative, but still not sure about it.

Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

your testing is fine dear. don't obsess over things you don't need to obsess over!

[med3510]

Thanks Grace for the encouragement.  Is it possible though that's it too early to be sure?  I've read that some people don't test positive until at least 4 months since exposure.  Although also read that 3 months is a good indication.  I was about 3 days short of 3 months.

[gracefromHHP]

disregard the igm results. they are meaningless.

you are negative for both hsv1 and hsv2 - CONGRATS!

[med3510]

OK, I went for a blood test at 3months past most recent exposure.  Here are the results:

HSV1 IGG  0.15
HSV2 IGG  0.56
which they said was negative

HSV 1/2 IGM 0.97
which they said was abnormal

Everyone on here talks about the IGG being more accurate, but I'm confused by these results.  Is it just too early to have been tested?

Thanks

[med3510]

Thank you - just paranoid.

[gracefromHHP]

no it is not.

[med3510]

A quick question - my friend stayed over last night and we cuddled which was great.  We were both wearing boxer briefs, but it was warm so we were both sweating.  It is possible to spread the virus from above the boxer short line like from my belly button and just below to his back? Thanks.

[med3510]

That is encouraging Grace.  I hate this right now, but believe that the right person will understand.