History of Herpes/cold sores related to allergies...Please help!

[tteach]

As a  young child (5-6 years of age and up) I experienced severe oral "cold sore/herpes" outbreaks in side of my mouth- an allergic reaction to certain sugarless and "gummy" additives in foods.  
As a teenager  herpes-like  lesions/blisters were found on my inner eyelids- an allergic reaction to preservatives in certain contact lens solutions.
I am now 40 years old and have had one sexual partner over the past year & a half. About a month ago I stared taking an appetite suppressant pill called "StarBodies" To my pleasant surprise my appetite was drastically reduced and I lost 10 pounds.  About 2 weeks after beginning my diet pills I experienced a single "lump" (under skin) that developed on my groin area- the bikini area that I shave (located at the corner of the bend~where vaginal exterior meets thigh). This is the second time I have experienced this lump-the first time was about 7 months prior ( I was not taking diet pills then- so I am not sure that the pills have any relevancy).
This single lump was a pink/reddish in color and tender~ It was NOT on the inner vaginal area.  Since it felt similar to a large pimple I though that if I tried to pop it to drain it that it would feel less sore/tender. I tried to pop it- when I squeezed it a slight bit of clear fluid  came out... The lump then became quite painful and seemed to have increased its size for about a week. While showering I would soaked it in hot Epsom salt water and occasionally try to drain it/squeeze. After abut a week the lump started to go away/reduced in size & tenderness and I was left with a callous like skin coating... I tried to peel off the dried skin only to recreate the lump. About 3 days later I  went to my gynecologist who said it looked like "folliculitis" but that she would run tests as I had requested. The lump was swabbed and blood was taken form my arm (about 10 days ago) .
Yesterday I called the doctors office to get the lab results and was told by a nurse that my HSV2 test was at 1.94 and that this indicated that I have herpes 2 and needed to make a follow up appointment to talk with the doctor about a treatment plan & medication.
I am very worried right now and a bit confused on what action I should take...Being that I have had allergy-related herpes problems thought my life, should the diet pills be factored into the test results? Should I seek a second opinion? Should the test(s) be repeated? Is a 1.94 HSV2 level a definite indicator of herpes 2?  

[gracefromHHP]

MRSA is a bacterial infection. It won't affect your hsv2 igg blood tests.

Since you popped the bump you probably won't get a good culture from it. Next time don't pop anything you find down yonder.

grace

[tteach]

My second HSV2 test (from gynocologist) came back this week as 1.30.

My groin lump reappeared 2 days ago- this time with a dark color at its center. I popped/drained it and a sticky, blood-tinged, clearish fluid came out (making the lump significanly smaller). The dark center concerned me so I went to the hospital ER. The ER doctor said it looks & sounds like MERSA.
ER doctor lanced the lump & swabbed the fluid. 2 swab samples are being sent out to lab. He prescribed antibiotic (doxycycline- I have a penecylin allergy) & told me 2 call for results in 3 days.
This week I will be searching for a new gynecologist who performs the herpes WB and/or the herpes biokit hsv2 test ( to confirm my HSV2 positive results). Could  there any coorelation between MERSA and a positve HSV2 test?

Thank you so much for your advise!!!!

[gracefromHHP]

No, the WB isn't just for hiv. There is a WB for many diseases , including herpes.  http://depts.washington.edu/rspvirus/herpes.htm  is the link to the WB for herpes and includes a terrific powerpoint presentation on it for your provider if you can email the link to her.

At this point wait and see what your repeat results are.  Your provider needs to familarize herself more on how to test for herpes and the issues with the low positives and why they need confirming :(

grace

[tteach]

Thank you for the information. I just got home from my second doctor appointment. She reviewed my initial appointment results & stated that a viral culture had come back negative & that she had run a HSV2 test which was a 1.94 . She seemed defensive of her positive findings. She reluctantly agree to re tested me using the HSV2 test and stated that she was unfamiliar with a "Bio kit" test and she claimed the WB test was specific for HIV only. Do you think it would be a good idea for me to get a second opinion with a different gynocologist at this point?

[gracefromHHP]

no, if it's that healed it's too late to do a culture for bacteria or herpes.

Definitely you need to confirm your hsv2 result with additional testing.  we recommend either the herpes WB or the herpes biokit hsv2 test to confirm it. If you have a regular partner, they need tested for herpes to know their own status too.

grace

[tteach]

Thank you so much for the advice!!!
I have an apointment w/my gynocologist for first thing tomorrow morning. The lump is now nearly gone- the skin is a bit dry/flaky there-But otherwise healed...Do you think a wound culture would still be able to be done? Thank you again for the information!

[auntiejessi]

The test should absolutely be repeated - a 1.94 is a very low positive.  

Find out if the culture showed anything.  Ask that they do a wound culture, and not just a herpes culture.  A herpes culture can tell you if its herpes, but won't tell you if its bacterial.  Seeing a dermatologist might be a good idea.

Aj