3 Years post low risk exposure. Herpes Question

[bruce76]

So I had a low exposure strip club incident almost 3 years ago.  No symptoms of anything ever.  Did a test at 22 days for everything...all negative...
Marriage worked out and we are better than ever.  In fact I also did the HIV test again when we decided for our 2nd child.  Now almost 3 years since that low risk exposure, I found 2 small dime size splotches on my inner right thigh.  If sitting with my legs closed, they are in the fold where leg meets groin. I also have a welt (bite of some sort) on my right hip.  Not sure if I just answered the question myself but I am paranoid that I had a 3 year dormant HSV2 infection and this is my first exposure/episode.  They itched the first day but now they don't really itch and they haven't changed (no blisters, ulcer, etc)

How common is the first episode to be 3 years later vs in the first 14 days.  I posted back in 2010 about this and after the tests, the docs suggested I drop it since all was negative.  Is this worthy of any concern??

Thank you for your time

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to hear it.  Time for you to move on without concern.  EWH

[bruce76]

It said <0.91 to be more specific

[bruce76]

You must have the best patience in the world to deal with anxious people...

As you could expect, my IgG specific antibody blood test for HSV2 was negative...not even a trace of possibility.

Time for me to definitely MOVE ON!

Thank you!

[bruce76]

I will post the results when I receive them.  Thank you.  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

False positive test results from person to person.  If need be I'll comment when you have your test results.  "What if" questions serve no purpose- you have already chosen to test.  EWH

[bruce76]

Greetings doctor.

I had a test scheduled so I went through with it.  Just peace of mind I guess. But I stopped by a medpoint quick clinic and the doc looked at it and said it was either a staff infection or the folliculitis you mentioned.  I asked about herpes and he immediately said nope.  

I think it is best I make sure to take my xanax for anxiety.  Now I am afraid of a false positive.  How often and why do those happen?  If it does, should I even consider testing again?

Regardless, I know I need to move on.

As always, thank you for your time.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to our Forum.  I'm sorry to hear that you continue to worry about your encounter in 2010.  The chance that the lesions you describe are your first manifestation of HSV, three years after a virtually no risk exposure, are very very low.  When you combine the location and uncharacteristic description of the lesions you are now concerned about, the likelihood that this is HSV is lower still.  There are numerous other dermatological conditions such as fungal infections and folliculitis which are far more likely to be causing your lesions than HSV.  I urge you not to worry about this.  If you feel you must, you could rule out HSV with a PCR or culture test of the lesions.  Personally however, even without testing, I am confident that your lesions are not HSV.

It is time for you to move forward from your guilt over the events of three years ago.  I hope my comments will help you to do so. EWH

[bruce76]

I should also add that my sex life with my wife has dramatically improved for many reasons and in the last 3 years she also hasn't had any signs of herpes.  Now I know it can be dormant, but she was tested during pregnancy for STDs and all were negative.

Thanks