Aa
what next
About 6 mo ago I had a possible exposure (3x on dif occassions with a condom, I am female) and suspected primary infection 4 days after the last time. Upon visual inspection about 36 hrs into symptoms, the dr was 99% sure it was herpes. Did 10 days 1g Valtrex and then went straight to daily suppressive therapy with 500mg daily. Initial tests done at 36 hrs from onset presentation were pcr swab, igm and igg and all were negatives (lab corp). main symptoms were swelling of vulva and 3 small ulcerations, low fever and minor lymph swelling. At 8 weeks igm and igg redone and both negative. At 17 wks, igg was redone and still negative. I am with a new partner who is negative and thus don't want to stop suppressive therapy. Is there a point where I could trust the result while on valtrex or do I have to come off it 2-3 months to know? Since I haven't developed detectable antibodies yet, would pregnancy be a bad idea?
Thanks for the advice, Grace! I have a checkup in a couple months so I will come off the meds til then and hope for a definite answer!
you should stop the valtrex and repeat your igg blood testing in a month just to be sure.
visual diagnosis is often wrong which is why follow up testing is recommended. at this point, you might never figure out what caused your symptoms but so far it's not looking like herpes is a cause.
visual diagnosis is often wrong which is why follow up testing is recommended. at this point, you might never figure out what caused your symptoms but so far it's not looking like herpes is a cause.
Yes, was tested for everything cultures and bloodwork at initial presentation and all negatives. An external culture a week after showed heavy enterococcus bacteria for which I was given levaquin but told it wasn't the cause of the issue. Another internal bacterial culture was done with a repeat pap at 6 weeks, negative. At 8 and 12 weeks blood tests for hep c hiv rpr and herpes all negatives. At 17 wks herpes igg only redone and negative. No ongoing issues to believe it to have been anything but what it seemed to be which was herpes. I was just wondering at what point do you see people test positive if they stay on valtrex? My doctor had no problem with me getting pregnant and staying on valtrex but it scares me that I don't have a detectable level of antibodies. All I read is that the real danger for pregnancy is if you contract the virus in the third trimester and your body doesn't have time to produce antibodies to pass on to the baby in vitro. Is it common for women to stay on valtrex the whole pregnancy as opposed to just starting at 36 weeks? I guess there just isn't much research yet on the effects of valtrex on igg testing as I've been told multiple times by different doctors that if I was negative at 17 weeks, I'm negative, the valtrex doesn't matter but researching it myself I find a much different answer.
Thanks Grace!
Thanks Grace!
you need to stop the valtrex at this point. it could be interferring with your igg blood testing at this point.
did they also test you for other infections when you were seen initially?
I certainly wouldn't be thinking getting pregnant at this point - you need to find out what is going on with your body first.
grace
did they also test you for other infections when you were seen initially?
I certainly wouldn't be thinking getting pregnant at this point - you need to find out what is going on with your body first.
grace
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
