positive herpeselect, than negative

[confused91707]

Hi,  Had my first outbreak in April, lasted 4 weeks.  Dr. tested and just Igm was positive.  Restested with Herpeselect at 8 weeks and HSV1 was positive.  Retested at 16 weeks with herpeselect and both HSV1 and HSV2 were negative.  I am very confused....please explain.

[gracefromHHP]

I'd only go with lesion cultures in general at this point for new rashes.

grace

[confused91707]

I have been on anywhere between 500 mg - 1 g. of valtrex since December EB over 3000, before all of this started with HSV and VZV.  Since this started, I have been on 1g. daily and 2g. during flareups.  The rash associated with EBV is a rubella like rash so that was ruled out by both the dermatologist and the infectious disease doctor.  

Yes, many other tests were run between the dermatologist, infectious disease and ob/gyn.  They went with disseminated genital herpes infection combined with disseminated shingles concurrently, while my EBV is still through the roof.  My confusion lied in the fact that transient reversion could occur so rapidly...it usually occurs at 5 years for the HSV1.  I know the herpeselect HSV2 is quite accurate at 16 weeks and false negatives are .02.  So, I'm not to worried about that anymore and the western blot to confirm it should be here this week, too.  They weren't kidding when they said immunocompromised patients can get it severely :(  Thank you for your information.  Keep up the good work.

[gracefromHHP]

You can have rashes associated with ebv.   How much valtrex had you been on and for how long during all of this?

Even the herpeselect still misses 1 out of every 10 hsv1 infections. You had a + at one point so you can assume you really do have hsv1 but where you have it, you have no idea at this point.

My recommendations are to just wait and see if you get a return of symptoms genitally. If you do, go and be seen within 48 hours of their appearance for a repeat lesion culture and typing.  this really doesn't sound like it was herpes going on with as extensive as it was - I assume the rash is all gone now? did they do any other testing when you had the rash?

grace

[confused91707]

The 100 bumps were from my bikini area, buttocks, and upper legs.  At 8 weeks I measured 3.8 for the HSV1 and at 16 weeks it < .90.  We were sure it was HSV2 because its so vigorous, I had another outbreak in June, not as severe but culdn't walk or wear underwear for a week.  The doctor was sure that seroconversion would take place by 16 weeks and NOW everything is coming back negative.  ?????

[petal130]

You'd need to post the numeric results of the tests. Also, HSV1 is sometimes not picked up in blood tests.

Where were these "100" bumps?

[confused91707]

The initial igg was negative in April, as well as the culture.  I had 100 bumps all over me, however, the ob felt that since I was already on valtrex (for EBV) that full lesions were not forming.  The igm was positive, she said it was my first outbreak in April.  Than, 8 weeks later the igg came back positive for HSV1.  Than, at sixteen weeks the igg came back negative for both HSV1 and HSV2.  How can the igg go from positive to negative?

[petal130]

An IgM is not a valid test for herpes - disregard it. The IgG is the one to pay attention to. Did you not have your symptoms swabbed/cultured?  Was it a visual diagnosis (which is also not a valid diagnosis.)

[confused91707]

Have had