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Need advice, symptoms and test results
I originally posted on the free forum but have not received any more correspondence. So I thought I would ask here
Here is the link to my original post.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/Question-about-tests-and-symptoms/show/1778564
(please don't judge, I already know I don't deserve any help, the single worst mistake I have ever made in my life)
Just to add an update to that post I did get my results for the swab test on what I thought were sores. It was negative. I expected that as the sores disappeared by Saturday. I also did get my 12 weeks blood tests done today so I am hoping to have the results Friday or Monday.
Basically all of my tests (for everything) have been negative except for the type specific igg hsv1. Both times I was tested for hsv1 (5 weeks and 7.5 weeks) the results were 1.6. And my type specific igg hsv2 tests (all three) have been <.2.
I guess my question would be does this sound like herpes? My doctor says it is not and I do have an appointment with a dermatologist Wednesday. I have never had any "classic" symptoms, no blisters I guess I should say. I have however noticed lately that I have sores in my mouth that could be canker sores but some of them look like blood blisters or cuts with dried blood but I dont remember biting my inner lips or cheeks. But that doesnt mean it doesnt happen I guess.
So what do you think? If my bloodwork is negative (12 weeks, well actually 11 weeks 6 days, does that matter? close enough to 12 weeks?) is that conclusive enough?
Here is the link to my original post.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/Question-about-tests-and-symptoms/show/1778564
(please don't judge, I already know I don't deserve any help, the single worst mistake I have ever made in my life)
Just to add an update to that post I did get my results for the swab test on what I thought were sores. It was negative. I expected that as the sores disappeared by Saturday. I also did get my 12 weeks blood tests done today so I am hoping to have the results Friday or Monday.
Basically all of my tests (for everything) have been negative except for the type specific igg hsv1. Both times I was tested for hsv1 (5 weeks and 7.5 weeks) the results were 1.6. And my type specific igg hsv2 tests (all three) have been <.2.
I guess my question would be does this sound like herpes? My doctor says it is not and I do have an appointment with a dermatologist Wednesday. I have never had any "classic" symptoms, no blisters I guess I should say. I have however noticed lately that I have sores in my mouth that could be canker sores but some of them look like blood blisters or cuts with dried blood but I dont remember biting my inner lips or cheeks. But that doesnt mean it doesnt happen I guess.
So what do you think? If my bloodwork is negative (12 weeks, well actually 11 weeks 6 days, does that matter? close enough to 12 weeks?) is that conclusive enough?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
What is the percentage of people who have it genitally?
We don't know that
Lets say that I had HSV1 orally and acquired HSV2 genitally. Could my previous HSV1 infection be slowing down my seroconversion or are you pretty confident that I do not have HSV2?
Slightly
And my last question is is it more likely that I passed on the virus to my wife from kissing and then later that night when she performed oral on me it got transmitted to my penis? Or could I have gotten it from the few seconds of oral from the other woman?
Both are unlikely.
This is my final post on this thread.
Terri
What is the percentage of people who have it genitally?
Lets say that I had HSV1 orally and acquired HSV2 genitally. Could my previous HSV1 infection be slowing down my seroconversion or are you pretty confident that I do not have HSV2?
And my last question is is it more likely that I passed on the virus to my wife from kissing and then later that night when she performed oral on me it got transmitted to my penis? Or could I have gotten it from the few seconds of oral from the other woman?
Lets say that I had HSV1 orally and acquired HSV2 genitally. Could my previous HSV1 infection be slowing down my seroconversion or are you pretty confident that I do not have HSV2?
And my last question is is it more likely that I passed on the virus to my wife from kissing and then later that night when she performed oral on me it got transmitted to my penis? Or could I have gotten it from the few seconds of oral from the other woman?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There is nothing in your ELISA results that would tell us when you got infected, no.
You are definitely negative for HSV 2 by the best testing we have.
56% of the US population has HSV 1, you are not alone.
Terri
You are definitely negative for HSV 2 by the best testing we have.
56% of the US population has HSV 1, you are not alone.
Terri
And just to let you know time frame my blood was drawn at 16 weeks 5 days for the Western Blot.
Along with my question above, I am definitely negative for HSV2?
Along with my question above, I am definitely negative for HSV2?
Got my Western Blot results.
Positive HSV1
Negative HSV2
While I am thrilled that I do not have HSV2 I am still not happy that I have HSV1. I have a feeling that I have it genitally and I am pissed at myself for not getting in to see the doctor the last time the red area appeared last. I do have a question.
My numbers for HSV1 have been pretty consistent every time I have tested (11 weeks worth of testing). Between 1.58 and 1.7. Is there anything in these numbers that state that this is more of a longstanding infection as opposed to an acute or am I grasping at straws here?
Positive HSV1
Negative HSV2
While I am thrilled that I do not have HSV2 I am still not happy that I have HSV1. I have a feeling that I have it genitally and I am pissed at myself for not getting in to see the doctor the last time the red area appeared last. I do have a question.
My numbers for HSV1 have been pretty consistent every time I have tested (11 weeks worth of testing). Between 1.58 and 1.7. Is there anything in these numbers that state that this is more of a longstanding infection as opposed to an acute or am I grasping at straws here?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Generally, the test picks up HSV 2. It misses HSV 1 more often. So that is good in terms of your results.
Terri
Terri
Thanks Terri for all of your expertise.
If I could ask one last question and I swear that is it, just want to rule out one last thing. On this site I have read where people have tested positive by culture or swab and not tested positive on blood test, possibly falling in to that 5% or so that never will test positive on blood tests. Even after a long time of blood testing, I mean like several months.
So my last question is since I have tested positive for HSV1 does that pretty much rule me out of that 5%? Does that 5% mean you will never test positive for either even if you have them? Or can you test positive for one and never test positive for the other even if you have it?
Thanks again for your insight and help. You really do provide a great service here. I will post my western blot results when I get them as well.
If I could ask one last question and I swear that is it, just want to rule out one last thing. On this site I have read where people have tested positive by culture or swab and not tested positive on blood test, possibly falling in to that 5% or so that never will test positive on blood tests. Even after a long time of blood testing, I mean like several months.
So my last question is since I have tested positive for HSV1 does that pretty much rule me out of that 5%? Does that 5% mean you will never test positive for either even if you have them? Or can you test positive for one and never test positive for the other even if you have it?
Thanks again for your insight and help. You really do provide a great service here. I will post my western blot results when I get them as well.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I think the tests at this point are very conclusive! The tiny variations in the herpes tests are completely normal - I don't think they are hardly ever exactly the same as each test is compared to a control value which is always different.
If the western blot is negative, you should consider yourself negative. Period. This is my last post on this thread.
Terri
If the western blot is negative, you should consider yourself negative. Period. This is my last post on this thread.
Terri
Terri
Got my results back from the online testing.
Everything, except for HSV1, is negative.
Did have kind of a freak out moment because my first result for the Syphilis RPR said 1:8 Abnormal but then the confirmatory FTA-ABS test said I was non-reactive.
Sorry to keep asking but these tests were taken 15 weeks 4 days past possible exposure. How conclusive are they?
Also my results for HSV1 were 1.58. Down from the 1.7 and 1.6. Still going to do the western blot tomorrow. That will be 16 weeks 1 day.
Going back to the swab of a sore area. It feels like the sore area on the penis shaft may be back. At least it feels sore (although not as sore as it has) and irritated in the same spot but does not appear to be as red. The small blood vessels appear to be inflamed but still no lesions or wounds or fluid. It has been this way for three days now. SHould I go in and have them swab the area?
Got my results back from the online testing.
Everything, except for HSV1, is negative.
Did have kind of a freak out moment because my first result for the Syphilis RPR said 1:8 Abnormal but then the confirmatory FTA-ABS test said I was non-reactive.
Sorry to keep asking but these tests were taken 15 weeks 4 days past possible exposure. How conclusive are they?
Also my results for HSV1 were 1.58. Down from the 1.7 and 1.6. Still going to do the western blot tomorrow. That will be 16 weeks 1 day.
Going back to the swab of a sore area. It feels like the sore area on the penis shaft may be back. At least it feels sore (although not as sore as it has) and irritated in the same spot but does not appear to be as red. The small blood vessels appear to be inflamed but still no lesions or wounds or fluid. It has been this way for three days now. SHould I go in and have them swab the area?
Ok got my western blot test kit in the mail today. Going tomorrow morning for the blood draw.
Tomorrow will be 16 weeks to the day.
Still waiting on my herpeselect test results, hopefully today or tomorrow. I realize the western blot takes a while to get results but I was wondering how conclusive these results are if they are negative?
I realize that my HSV1 could still be a true positive though.
Tomorrow will be 16 weeks to the day.
Still waiting on my herpeselect test results, hopefully today or tomorrow. I realize the western blot takes a while to get results but I was wondering how conclusive these results are if they are negative?
I realize that my HSV1 could still be a true positive though.
I had a herpeselect test done today along with a full panel for stds (hiv, syphilis, gon, chlamydia, heb b, hep c) mainly because it was cheaper to do all than just herpeselect, hiv and syphilis. I used getstdtested.com and went to a quest lab. It is 15 weeks and 4 days post encounter. Will these tests be conclusive?
The HIV is a western blot as well.
My latest pcr swab was negative as well.
Also my western blot kit for hsv should be here this week. Thursday will be 16 weeks. I plan on taking it after that. How conclusive will those results be?
The HIV is a western blot as well.
My latest pcr swab was negative as well.
Also my western blot kit for hsv should be here this week. Thursday will be 16 weeks. I plan on taking it after that. How conclusive will those results be?
The Bio Rad test I guess is the BioPlex HSV. The website for ASHA has it listed on some herpes testing chart.
I had another type specific test done and again it was <.2. But I may try to get the herpeselect test. I am ordering the Western Blot test today. My doctor signed off on it. If that is negative at 16 weeks how conclusive is it? Have you seen anyone test positive after taking it at 16 weeks? This is killing me.
The rash in my groin has come back full on (not that it ever really went away). Doctor did a swab of some spots yesterday so i am hoping to hear Monday about the results. He thinks it is folliculitis. He gave me some antibiotics. He also does not agree with the derm that it is psoriasis. Not sure what he thinks it is though. He told me to use Domeboro powder as well for the creases in the groin.
I had another type specific test done and again it was <.2. But I may try to get the herpeselect test. I am ordering the Western Blot test today. My doctor signed off on it. If that is negative at 16 weeks how conclusive is it? Have you seen anyone test positive after taking it at 16 weeks? This is killing me.
The rash in my groin has come back full on (not that it ever really went away). Doctor did a swab of some spots yesterday so i am hoping to hear Monday about the results. He thinks it is folliculitis. He gave me some antibiotics. He also does not agree with the derm that it is psoriasis. Not sure what he thinks it is though. He told me to use Domeboro powder as well for the creases in the groin.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I don't know anything about the bio rad test, never heard of it. You can get a herpeselect test online without a provider's order, I might suggest sticking with that one, myself.
Your risk (and thank you for the very clear description of your contact) is very low.
Terri
Your risk (and thank you for the very clear description of your contact) is very low.
Terri
Just called pathology department at testing center and they said they use a bio rad test. Is this a good test or is it comparable to say the herpeselect? Should I go somewhere else to have another test?
Since the red area has appeared twice, weeks apart, would you have expected it to have blisters or sores at least once?
Through all of this and thinking more and more about what happened that night and sorry for details but I was only inside her for a lot less than 30 seconds. Probably even more like just a few seconds to 10 seconds at most. I started to ejaculate rather quickly. Does this lower my chance or keep it pretty much the same? I was never inside her again. Definitely not worth all of this BS not that anything would be.
Also with the oral she only went up and down 2-3 times then something happened with her jaw. Does that lower the risk as well for contracting hsv1 genitally?
Thank you for answering my multiple questions.
Through all of this and thinking more and more about what happened that night and sorry for details but I was only inside her for a lot less than 30 seconds. Probably even more like just a few seconds to 10 seconds at most. I started to ejaculate rather quickly. Does this lower my chance or keep it pretty much the same? I was never inside her again. Definitely not worth all of this BS not that anything would be.
Also with the oral she only went up and down 2-3 times then something happened with her jaw. Does that lower the risk as well for contracting hsv1 genitally?
Thank you for answering my multiple questions.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Normally, herpes would present with a few more symptoms than just a red area, but not every single time.
Terri
Terri
Thank you Terri. Sorry for the bump. I am going to call UW to see about ordering before I call you. I thought it was odd that the dermatologist said it would not cross over like that.
One last question (I probably know the answer), would herpes cause just a red area like what I am describing, below the head of the penis (including part of the edge of the head) about 1/2 inch wide and 3/4 to an inch long, without blistering or sores? Or does it only present red with blisters and sores?
I will only try to post again with test results.
One last question (I probably know the answer), would herpes cause just a red area like what I am describing, below the head of the penis (including part of the edge of the head) about 1/2 inch wide and 3/4 to an inch long, without blistering or sores? Or does it only present red with blisters and sores?
I will only try to post again with test results.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Sorry, I missed this.
Yes, it is possible to get HSV 1 orally and genitally at the same time.
The western blot covers both HSV 1 and 2, yes. You just call me office, set up a phone conference and we will order the test for you. You need to become our patient before we can order you any testing, but we can do that on the phone.
It is possible to do a swab test on simply a red area, doesn't have to be a sore.
Herpes can show up anywhere on the shaft of the penis or head of the penis or base of the penis.
Terri
Yes, it is possible to get HSV 1 orally and genitally at the same time.
The western blot covers both HSV 1 and 2, yes. You just call me office, set up a phone conference and we will order the test for you. You need to become our patient before we can order you any testing, but we can do that on the phone.
It is possible to do a swab test on simply a red area, doesn't have to be a sore.
Herpes can show up anywhere on the shaft of the penis or head of the penis or base of the penis.
Terri
Bump...sorry
Sorry one more, if the red area on my penis returns does it have to blister or have some sort of sore to be swabbed or can they just swab the red area?
Both times it showed up there were no open sores. It did go onto the ridge of the penis head and sometimes there were sharp pains at the ridge of the penis head like someone was stabbing it with a needle or something. But those were not constant. My dermatologist, sorry forgot to mention what he thought it was, said it was psoriasis, but the red area was gone when he saw me. He said herpes would not present itself on the shaft as well as the ridge of the penis. Do you agree with that?
I looked at pictures online for psoriasis nothing looked like what I had but flexular psoriasis did look like what is going on in the creases of my groin.
Please see previous questions as well. Sorry I know you are extremely busy and I truly appreciate all of your input.
Both times it showed up there were no open sores. It did go onto the ridge of the penis head and sometimes there were sharp pains at the ridge of the penis head like someone was stabbing it with a needle or something. But those were not constant. My dermatologist, sorry forgot to mention what he thought it was, said it was psoriasis, but the red area was gone when he saw me. He said herpes would not present itself on the shaft as well as the ridge of the penis. Do you agree with that?
I looked at pictures online for psoriasis nothing looked like what I had but flexular psoriasis did look like what is going on in the creases of my groin.
Please see previous questions as well. Sorry I know you are extremely busy and I truly appreciate all of your input.
Hi Terri a couple of more questions.
Is it possible to get hsv1 orally and genitally at the same time?
In regards to the western blot, does the test cover both hsv1 and hsv2 or are they separate? Meaning I have to pay for two tests.
If I do indeed test negative on both (please god I hope I do) is that indeed confirmatory that I don't have either? I mean what is the likelihood of the antibodies being missed by delayed seroconversion?
Thanks Terri I hope these are the last questions I have. Please see previous question about ordering western blot as well.
Is it possible to get hsv1 orally and genitally at the same time?
In regards to the western blot, does the test cover both hsv1 and hsv2 or are they separate? Meaning I have to pay for two tests.
If I do indeed test negative on both (please god I hope I do) is that indeed confirmatory that I don't have either? I mean what is the likelihood of the antibodies being missed by delayed seroconversion?
Thanks Terri I hope these are the last questions I have. Please see previous question about ordering western blot as well.
Thank you so much Terri for answering my questions. You had mentioned that I could have you order the western blot for me. How does that process work? Can you private message me that info?
How long does a prodrome last for oral herpes? I feel like my lips have been burning for almost two months now, is this typical? No cold sores or blisters that I can tell but occasionally there is redness on the edge of my lips. Nothing majorly red. Could it be my sebhorrheic dermatitis instead? There is usually some small flakes of dry skin on my lips.
Thanks again
How long does a prodrome last for oral herpes? I feel like my lips have been burning for almost two months now, is this typical? No cold sores or blisters that I can tell but occasionally there is redness on the edge of my lips. Nothing majorly red. Could it be my sebhorrheic dermatitis instead? There is usually some small flakes of dry skin on my lips.
Thanks again
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I would expect that you would have had more symptoms, yes, many people do
Also are you saying that I definitely dont have HSV2 because the numbers are still so low (<.2 at 12 weeks)? If I got a regular hsv2 type specific test instead of western blot and it was still negative or <.2 at 16 weeks would that be conclusive or should I just spring for the western blot?
I think the regular test without the western blot for HSV 2 is fine for you.
How much does the western blot cost for each test, is it the same price if you order it or if my doctor orders it?
I think the test is about $150 but Quest said they were changing the price so I'm not certain at this time. The cost would be the same either way, but I don't believe your doctor can order it from quest, but he could order the testing kit directly from UW.
If I am positive for both since my wife and I have only had sex once within 24 hours after said occurrence what are the odds I gave her something?
If you are indeed positive, the odds that you gave it to your wife with a single intercourse is quite low, I can't give you an exact number because there are many variables to that question.
And the last question, are my other tests conclusive? The HIV 1&2, HEP B & C and the others I listed (all negative at 12 weeks out)
All except syphilis which can take up to 90 days to show up in a blood test.
iHope these answers are helpful for you.
Terri
Also are you saying that I definitely dont have HSV2 because the numbers are still so low (<.2 at 12 weeks)? If I got a regular hsv2 type specific test instead of western blot and it was still negative or <.2 at 16 weeks would that be conclusive or should I just spring for the western blot?
I think the regular test without the western blot for HSV 2 is fine for you.
How much does the western blot cost for each test, is it the same price if you order it or if my doctor orders it?
I think the test is about $150 but Quest said they were changing the price so I'm not certain at this time. The cost would be the same either way, but I don't believe your doctor can order it from quest, but he could order the testing kit directly from UW.
If I am positive for both since my wife and I have only had sex once within 24 hours after said occurrence what are the odds I gave her something?
If you are indeed positive, the odds that you gave it to your wife with a single intercourse is quite low, I can't give you an exact number because there are many variables to that question.
And the last question, are my other tests conclusive? The HIV 1&2, HEP B & C and the others I listed (all negative at 12 weeks out)
All except syphilis which can take up to 90 days to show up in a blood test.
iHope these answers are helpful for you.
Terri
Ok my next question is if this were an initial infection of hsv1 say either orally or genitally wouldn't I have had some "classic" outbreak symptoms, like bistering and open sores? Everything I have had the doctor says does not look herpetic.
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
