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HSV2 Question
Doctor
I have had to repost this as my original question and a response seems to have vanished even though I received a notification my question was answered by Doctor Handsfield.
Last year Dr Hook kindly answered a question which greatly reassured me about a very low risk exposure and HSV2 – I had a body slide with no penetration but slight genital contact. My doctor took a very cautious approach and recommended a test after just 2 weeks which I knew was not particularly definitive. I have since had further test 14 weeks after the exposure (employment reasons) and this was negative .01 IgG for HSV2. So given the very low risk exposure and two negative tests I was very happy. 2 days ago (4.5 months after this exposure) I developed two small red bumps in my pubic hair area which I consulted my doctor on and he said they looked like herpes lesions (although they don’t have the same characteristics I have learned from this site). I mentioned the fact I had a negative test after 14 weeks and he said it could be pimples, folliculitus or still herpes. He has unnerved me by this approach and hence would like to hear your view. I have had no risky exposures (a few times masturbated by a female and hence discounted these) since the previous exposure
The spots are painless and don’t seem to be liquid filled and are situated in my pubic hair half way between my stomach button and shaft.
Given the circumstances I am going to ignore these and get on with my life – despite my doctor’s possible diagnosis am I wise to do so?
Many thanks
I have had to repost this as my original question and a response seems to have vanished even though I received a notification my question was answered by Doctor Handsfield.
Last year Dr Hook kindly answered a question which greatly reassured me about a very low risk exposure and HSV2 – I had a body slide with no penetration but slight genital contact. My doctor took a very cautious approach and recommended a test after just 2 weeks which I knew was not particularly definitive. I have since had further test 14 weeks after the exposure (employment reasons) and this was negative .01 IgG for HSV2. So given the very low risk exposure and two negative tests I was very happy. 2 days ago (4.5 months after this exposure) I developed two small red bumps in my pubic hair area which I consulted my doctor on and he said they looked like herpes lesions (although they don’t have the same characteristics I have learned from this site). I mentioned the fact I had a negative test after 14 weeks and he said it could be pimples, folliculitus or still herpes. He has unnerved me by this approach and hence would like to hear your view. I have had no risky exposures (a few times masturbated by a female and hence discounted these) since the previous exposure
The spots are painless and don’t seem to be liquid filled and are situated in my pubic hair half way between my stomach button and shaft.
Given the circumstances I am going to ignore these and get on with my life – despite my doctor’s possible diagnosis am I wise to do so?
Many thanks
Dear Doctor
absolutely no need to apologise but thanks you anyway and for your greatly appreciated continued (and that of Dr Hook) assistance.
absolutely no need to apologise but thanks you anyway and for your greatly appreciated continued (and that of Dr Hook) assistance.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Apology for the deleted/delayed reply. My fault; I misinterpreted your other threads and thought this one was your third question on the forum since December, conflicting with the maximum of 2 questions every 6 months on the professionally moderated forums (see Terms and Conditions). Please use the contact link to contact MedHelp administration to make sure your credit card is charged only once.
I reviewed your discussion with Dr. Hook in December. I agree with all he said. Like him, and unlike your dermatologist, I would have recommended against HSV testing in this circumstance. However, your test was clearly negative. Further, the negative test (as well as the nature of the exposure) proves that herpes is not a possible cause of the skin lesions in your pubic area. It isn't possible to catch herpes, have a negative blood test 3 months later, and then develop herpes lesions -- assuming, as in your case, there has been no additional exposure to the virus.
Further, herpes outbreaks are uncommon in hair-bearing areas. It is true that the lesions of herpes, folliculitis, and certain other conditions can look very similar to one another, and to that extent perhaps your dermatologist was right to raise herpes as a possibility. But putting together all the known facts, it is quite clear that something other than herpes explains the lesions in your pubic area. And here are a couple of clues you can use yourself: herpes lesions tend to be quite superficial, and can be thought of as being "on" the skin, whereas folliculitis and pimples are deeper ("in" the skin), with firm bumps often topped by a small pus-filled lesion. Second, usually a hair can be seen in the center of a folliculitis lesion, whereas herpes lesions are not typically associated with hairs.
MedHelp moderators are asked to avoid direct criticism of medical advice questioners ascribe to their own doctors. However, from both your thread last December and this one, I have to be suspicious that your dermatologist doesn't understand herpes very well. If this problem continues, you might consider getting a second opinion.
I hope this helps. Best wishes. Apologies again for the delayed response.
HHH, MD
I reviewed your discussion with Dr. Hook in December. I agree with all he said. Like him, and unlike your dermatologist, I would have recommended against HSV testing in this circumstance. However, your test was clearly negative. Further, the negative test (as well as the nature of the exposure) proves that herpes is not a possible cause of the skin lesions in your pubic area. It isn't possible to catch herpes, have a negative blood test 3 months later, and then develop herpes lesions -- assuming, as in your case, there has been no additional exposure to the virus.
Further, herpes outbreaks are uncommon in hair-bearing areas. It is true that the lesions of herpes, folliculitis, and certain other conditions can look very similar to one another, and to that extent perhaps your dermatologist was right to raise herpes as a possibility. But putting together all the known facts, it is quite clear that something other than herpes explains the lesions in your pubic area. And here are a couple of clues you can use yourself: herpes lesions tend to be quite superficial, and can be thought of as being "on" the skin, whereas folliculitis and pimples are deeper ("in" the skin), with firm bumps often topped by a small pus-filled lesion. Second, usually a hair can be seen in the center of a folliculitis lesion, whereas herpes lesions are not typically associated with hairs.
MedHelp moderators are asked to avoid direct criticism of medical advice questioners ascribe to their own doctors. However, from both your thread last December and this one, I have to be suspicious that your dermatologist doesn't understand herpes very well. If this problem continues, you might consider getting a second opinion.
I hope this helps. Best wishes. Apologies again for the delayed response.
HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs 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.
