Herpes?

[blue34444]

Hi everyone,

I had a IGG blood test for HSV 1 and 2 in 2013 and was negative for HSV1 but had 1.02 for HSV2. As that was equivocal, I took the test again in a few weeks and was tested negative.

Last week, I had some irritation at the tip of the penis along with a burning sensation during urination and had not been tested for std's for a while, so went for an examination and battery of tests. I gave blood and urine samples for pretty much all std tests. Given the irritation and the burning sensation, the physician also prescribed Azithromycin (1000 mg) which I took that day.

The following morning, I noticed a white/yellow discharge at the tip of my penis. I was pretty sure that I would test positive for clamydia or gonorrhea at this point. Over the next couple days, the irritation got better, and no more discharge. I thought, the antibiotic is working.

4 days after the tests, the results came in. I am negative for everything. Except for HSV2. Which is positive with 1.5. So a low positive.

I don't know what to conclude at this point. Was the urethral irritation and discharge due to herpes? Does herpes cause urethral irritation and discharge? Especially white/yellow discharge? If not, what else could it be? I was tested for gonorrhea, claymydia, trich, syphillis, etc. All negative. Do I have genital herpes for sure? Or should I be skeptical?

Thank you all for any comments you may have. I am quite anxious and worried. Glad to have found this community.

[feelingundone]

Your negative. The problem with hsv2 tests is they are very sensitive. Low positives are pretty common as they can have cross over if you have hsv1 (cold sores) or they can pick up odd proteins. At a 1.3 or 1.5 it saw something but no idea what. That's why anything less than 3.5 needs a confirmation test like the western blot. Knowing you have hsv1 then the hsv2 low positives are false positives. If you need proof then contact the university of Washington and have them send you the western blot test kit. Have your Dr draw the blood and send it back to them.
I really think your current negative says it all as your hsv2 test saw either antibodies for hsv1 or an odd protein. I had a low false positive at 1.3 myself. I wouldn't worry.

Hope this helps.

[blue34444]

Thank you very much feelingundone. I will try to get the western blot, but this certainly makes me feel better. :)

[blue34444]

I got tested again couple days ago. That would be about 20 days after the previous test. This time, I did both HSV 1 and HSV 2. HSV1 one is 4.66, and HSV 2 is 1.36 (lower than the previous low positive of 1.5, but still in positive territory). Apparently I was not tested for HSV 1 three weeks ago.

Does this help at all? I am still confused. It sounds like I have HSV 1. Do I have HSV 2? What else can I do?

Thank you for any comments.

[blue34444]

Hi everyone,

Got tested again a couple days ago for HSV 2. June 17. This time it is negative (meaning below 0.91). I am really confused now. Is this blood test of any use?

Anyway, so my tests are:
2013- HSV 1 negative
2013- HSV 2 Igg 1.02
2013 (couple weeks later) HSV 1 and 2 negative
Early April 2016 - HSV 2 Igg 1.5
Late April 2016 - HSV 1 Igg 4.66
Late April 2016 - HSV 2 Igg 1.36
Late June 2016 - HSV 2 Igg Negative (<0.91)

Still no symptoms. What am I to make of these results? Is there any other test I can take, or anything else I can do?

Thank you everyone.

[feelingundone]

Ok. That would be to soon to have antibodies. I would retest in a week or so and see where your at.

[blue34444]

Thanks for getting back to me, feelingundone. My last sexual encounter was last week. I used a condom for intercourse, but had unprotected oral sex.

[feelingundone]

I would be very skeptical.  Urethral hsv is on the rarer side and most always will have lesions on the penis as well. It is usually very painful as well. Your low positive needs further investigation.
When was your last sexual encounter?