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HSV2 Testing Concern
Dr,
Some years ago I attended for a full STD screen following an amsterdam exposure (possibly did not even happen as I was very drunk). Everything came back negative except NSU. I was treated but it recurred despite treatment on a number of occassions and despite no new exposures. I have been reassured on a number of occassions that this poses no threat (& possibly never did as all cultures were negative). This all occured a number of years ago and took a large toll mentally on me. However, I was never tested for herpes (HSV2) at any of the number of clinics I went to. I am currently still having protected vaginal sex with my wife but we want to start having unprotected sex shortly. Recently I have been having concerns about possible HSV2 infection that I may have picked up from that amsterdam exposure. I have never had any blisters or sores that I am aware of apart from some pain around pubic bone area. Perhaps I didn't focus on the HSV2 possibility because I was so tied up with NSU.
1) Should I get tested for HSV2 & if so what test? (I have HSV1 since childhood). I am concerned about a possible false positive & feel if I tested & got a false positive it would set me back mentally as it took me a long time to deal with NSU.
2) Is pain in the pubic bone region a symptom of HSV2?
3) What advise would you offer at this time, now 7years on from this incident & how should I proceed with my wife?
Some years ago I attended for a full STD screen following an amsterdam exposure (possibly did not even happen as I was very drunk). Everything came back negative except NSU. I was treated but it recurred despite treatment on a number of occassions and despite no new exposures. I have been reassured on a number of occassions that this poses no threat (& possibly never did as all cultures were negative). This all occured a number of years ago and took a large toll mentally on me. However, I was never tested for herpes (HSV2) at any of the number of clinics I went to. I am currently still having protected vaginal sex with my wife but we want to start having unprotected sex shortly. Recently I have been having concerns about possible HSV2 infection that I may have picked up from that amsterdam exposure. I have never had any blisters or sores that I am aware of apart from some pain around pubic bone area. Perhaps I didn't focus on the HSV2 possibility because I was so tied up with NSU.
1) Should I get tested for HSV2 & if so what test? (I have HSV1 since childhood). I am concerned about a possible false positive & feel if I tested & got a false positive it would set me back mentally as it took me a long time to deal with NSU.
2) Is pain in the pubic bone region a symptom of HSV2?
3) What advise would you offer at this time, now 7years on from this incident & how should I proceed with my wife?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are perseverating about STIs when there is no reason to. I'm not sure if your concerns are driven by some residual guilt ot some other factor. Brief answers to your qeustions:
1) Even today I have a pain in my right lymph node, this has occured on a number of occasions previously. I guess this is what got me thinking of HSV as I heard this could be a symptom of HSV. However at the same time I also have a twitching muscle between my anus and scrotum (like a pelvic floor twitch). Could these two be linked and be a sign of CPPS as opposed to HSV or is sore lymph nodes a sign of HSV? Again CPPS was mentioned in one clinic when NSU wasn't responding to antibiotics.
Pain is a lymph nodes is highly non-specific and may have many causes, if your discomfort is even at a lymph node (it really takess a clinican to be sure). There is no relation between this and the "twitchy" areea you mention. CPPS is a diagnosis of exclusion. You already have recurring NGU, no reason to seek other "tags" for your symptoms.
2) I also have had outbreaks of an itchy anus in recent times but could not see any legions as such. I think this only started a few years after the possible exposure. It was however very painful at times and red. Would this be a sign of HSV?
No. It could be hemmrhoids however.
3) When I presented at the STI clinics (both public and private) I explained about my possible amsterdam exposure with a sex worker. As stated I can't be certain it even happened. This was my only ever possible exposure apart from my wife. I take on board what you say above but based on this did the clinics act correctly by not testing even though my possible encounter could have been high risk? Were they wary of a false positive?
the Amsterdam event is ancient history and you have been tested since. Time for you to get over it.
4) What would a typical "negative" result be for a HSV2 HerpeSelect type test?
Meaningless question
5) Would a single exposure (if occured) be likely to result in HSV2 if a window sex worker was positive?
NO!!!
You need to get over this. This is not an STI or a risk to your wife. EWH
1) Even today I have a pain in my right lymph node, this has occured on a number of occasions previously. I guess this is what got me thinking of HSV as I heard this could be a symptom of HSV. However at the same time I also have a twitching muscle between my anus and scrotum (like a pelvic floor twitch). Could these two be linked and be a sign of CPPS as opposed to HSV or is sore lymph nodes a sign of HSV? Again CPPS was mentioned in one clinic when NSU wasn't responding to antibiotics.
Pain is a lymph nodes is highly non-specific and may have many causes, if your discomfort is even at a lymph node (it really takess a clinican to be sure). There is no relation between this and the "twitchy" areea you mention. CPPS is a diagnosis of exclusion. You already have recurring NGU, no reason to seek other "tags" for your symptoms.
2) I also have had outbreaks of an itchy anus in recent times but could not see any legions as such. I think this only started a few years after the possible exposure. It was however very painful at times and red. Would this be a sign of HSV?
No. It could be hemmrhoids however.
3) When I presented at the STI clinics (both public and private) I explained about my possible amsterdam exposure with a sex worker. As stated I can't be certain it even happened. This was my only ever possible exposure apart from my wife. I take on board what you say above but based on this did the clinics act correctly by not testing even though my possible encounter could have been high risk? Were they wary of a false positive?
the Amsterdam event is ancient history and you have been tested since. Time for you to get over it.
4) What would a typical "negative" result be for a HSV2 HerpeSelect type test?
Meaningless question
5) Would a single exposure (if occured) be likely to result in HSV2 if a window sex worker was positive?
NO!!!
You need to get over this. This is not an STI or a risk to your wife. EWH
Thank you for your swift reply doctor. One final clarification post if you don't mind as reading through other posts I think the questions below may help other posters as well as myself.
1) Even today I have a pain in my right lymph node, this has occured on a number of occasions previously. I guess this is what got me thinking of HSV as I heard this could be a symptom of HSV. However at the same time I also have a twitching muscle between my anus and scrotum (like a pelvic floor twitch). Could these two be linked and be a sign of CPPS as opposed to HSV or is sore lymph nodes a sign of HSV? Again CPPS was mentioned in one clinic when NSU wasn't responding to antibiotics.
2) I also have had outbreaks of an itchy anus in recent times but could not see any legions as such. I think this only started a few years after the possible exposure. It was however very painful at times and red. Would this be a sign of HSV?
3) When I presented at the STI clinics (both public and private) I explained about my possible amsterdam exposure with a sex worker. As stated I can't be certain it even happened. This was my only ever possible exposure apart from my wife. I take on board what you say above but based on this did the clinics act correctly by not testing even though my possible encounter could have been high risk? Were they wary of a false positive?
4) What would a typical "negative" result be for a HSV2 HerpeSelect type test?
5) Would a single exposure (if occured) be likely to result in HSV2 if a window sex worker was positive?
Thank you again.
1) Even today I have a pain in my right lymph node, this has occured on a number of occasions previously. I guess this is what got me thinking of HSV as I heard this could be a symptom of HSV. However at the same time I also have a twitching muscle between my anus and scrotum (like a pelvic floor twitch). Could these two be linked and be a sign of CPPS as opposed to HSV or is sore lymph nodes a sign of HSV? Again CPPS was mentioned in one clinic when NSU wasn't responding to antibiotics.
2) I also have had outbreaks of an itchy anus in recent times but could not see any legions as such. I think this only started a few years after the possible exposure. It was however very painful at times and red. Would this be a sign of HSV?
3) When I presented at the STI clinics (both public and private) I explained about my possible amsterdam exposure with a sex worker. As stated I can't be certain it even happened. This was my only ever possible exposure apart from my wife. I take on board what you say above but based on this did the clinics act correctly by not testing even though my possible encounter could have been high risk? Were they wary of a false positive?
4) What would a typical "negative" result be for a HSV2 HerpeSelect type test?
5) Would a single exposure (if occured) be likely to result in HSV2 if a window sex worker was positive?
Thank you again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum. I'll try to help. In preparing to answer your questions I reviewed your earlier interchange on the International STD Forum. I agree with what was said. Your recurrent NSU is non-chlamydial in nature and likely non-infectious and not a threat to you and your partner. I also sincerely doubt that HSV is contributing to this. If it were, I would expect you to have had genital lesions. Almost all HSV urethritis is accompanied by visible genital lesions.
1) Should I get tested for HSV2 & if so what test? (I have HSV1 since childhood). I am concerned about a possible false positive & feel if I tested & got a false positive it would set me back mentally as it took me a long time to deal with NSU.
I recommend against HSV testing. You are so unlikely to have HSV that you are more likely to have a false positive test than to make a diagnosis of HSV.
2) Is pain in the pubic bone region a symptom of HSV2?
Absolutely not.
3) What advise would you offer at this time, now 7years on from this incident & how should I proceed with my wife?
I would suggest that as long as you and your wife continue to be monogamous that you proceed with unprotected intercourse without fear or concern..
I hope this comment is helpful. EWH
1) Should I get tested for HSV2 & if so what test? (I have HSV1 since childhood). I am concerned about a possible false positive & feel if I tested & got a false positive it would set me back mentally as it took me a long time to deal with NSU.
I recommend against HSV testing. You are so unlikely to have HSV that you are more likely to have a false positive test than to make a diagnosis of HSV.
2) Is pain in the pubic bone region a symptom of HSV2?
Absolutely not.
3) What advise would you offer at this time, now 7years on from this incident & how should I proceed with my wife?
I would suggest that as long as you and your wife continue to be monogamous that you proceed with unprotected intercourse without fear or concern..
I hope this comment is helpful. EWH
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.
