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Negative tests, troubled by symptoms...
Thank you for taking the time to provide such a wonderful service. I just posted a question yesterday for Dr. HHH, and I really appreciated his feedback. I've been troubled by the events of the past few months, and am just trying to get as much peace of mind as possible. My post yesterday was "Herpes with 2 negative tests. Please help..." Is there any chance you would be willing to take a look at the thread (rather than me reiterating it here) and tell me what your opinion is? I would greatly appreciate it.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, there are a few people who don't seroconvert. But I believe that when dealing with these kinds of questions, we really need to go with what is the very most likely. I believe this person doesn't have herpes based on the presentation of the kind of symptoms, the lack of full response to medicine, and the negative test results. At some point in an experience like this, one must try to go with what seems reasonable. That's my recommendation.
Terri
Terri
A related discussion, Following up... was started.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
We really don't.
Thanks Terri. Do you know WHY some people don't seroconvert?
A question related to this post.
Isn't there a small percentage of the population that actually have herpes but do not seroconvert?
Isn't there a small percentage of the population that actually have herpes but do not seroconvert?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, I think this all means you are not infected and can move on with your life.
Terri
Terri
I'm sorry if I'm being a pest. I just wanted a bit of final clarification before definitively putting this out of my mind. Anyway, let me know.
The STD forum.
Thank you so much. I am trying to listen to everyone, but it is very hard once you've convinced yourself. I do have one follow-up question. I wasn't sure if you had read all of my comments, or just the initial post. The reason I ask is because I added some information in my following comments that I forgot to mention in the first post of the thread.
Also, I do want to clarify that I seemed to notice some lessening of symptoms while on the Valtrex, but was still experiencing some symptoms while on it I'm sure I must be getting on everyone's nerves by now, but I've felt so uncomfortable for such a long time, and one way or another I want to make sure I've left no stone unturned in figuring out what's going on. If it's not herpes....then thank God. But since I also want to move on with my life (which I would like to include a relationship/love/sex/the whole ball of wax), I want to be responsible and rule out herpes before moving on to other explanations. If my 13 weeks low negative tests and what I've described does that, then again...thank God.
Again, thank you so much. Your service is such a blessing.
Also, I do want to clarify that I seemed to notice some lessening of symptoms while on the Valtrex, but was still experiencing some symptoms while on it I'm sure I must be getting on everyone's nerves by now, but I've felt so uncomfortable for such a long time, and one way or another I want to make sure I've left no stone unturned in figuring out what's going on. If it's not herpes....then thank God. But since I also want to move on with my life (which I would like to include a relationship/love/sex/the whole ball of wax), I want to be responsible and rule out herpes before moving on to other explanations. If my 13 weeks low negative tests and what I've described does that, then again...thank God.
Again, thank you so much. Your service is such a blessing.
What forum did you post "Herpes with 2 negative tests. Please help".
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
OK, I agree with Dr. Handsfield that your symptoms don't sound herpetic and your lab tests confirm this.
There are two things about your post that particularly stood out for me: 1) my symptoms keep happening, in spite of Valtrex therapy and 2) they happen pretty consistently.
Herpes in an intermittently presenting infection - certainly not with the frequency that you describe, and certainly not at all often while taking suppression.
I believe the IgM test threw you off, and got you scared. It was unfortunate that it was done at all, big error. Please trust the IgG tests which are reliable and tell you that you are not infected with either type.
You seem very concerned about this, and I understand that if you did have genital herpes it would be upsetting for you, but I also believe, as does Dr. Handsfield, that you don't have genital herpes. You are holding on to this belief in spite of much evidence to the contrary. I hope you can step back and look at the evidence for your lack of infection reasonably and with great rationality. This could drive you crazy over time, I've seen it over and over, so you are not alone in your fears and your difficulty believing that you are not infected. But please put this away now. You've asked two people who, over the years, have seen lots of herpes, and we both feel clear that you are not infected. Take our wisdom and run with it, OK?
Terri
There are two things about your post that particularly stood out for me: 1) my symptoms keep happening, in spite of Valtrex therapy and 2) they happen pretty consistently.
Herpes in an intermittently presenting infection - certainly not with the frequency that you describe, and certainly not at all often while taking suppression.
I believe the IgM test threw you off, and got you scared. It was unfortunate that it was done at all, big error. Please trust the IgG tests which are reliable and tell you that you are not infected with either type.
You seem very concerned about this, and I understand that if you did have genital herpes it would be upsetting for you, but I also believe, as does Dr. Handsfield, that you don't have genital herpes. You are holding on to this belief in spite of much evidence to the contrary. I hope you can step back and look at the evidence for your lack of infection reasonably and with great rationality. This could drive you crazy over time, I've seen it over and over, so you are not alone in your fears and your difficulty believing that you are not infected. But please put this away now. You've asked two people who, over the years, have seen lots of herpes, and we both feel clear that you are not infected. Take our wisdom and run with it, OK?
Terri
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I will do that right now. Be back with a response very soon.
Terri
Terri
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.
