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Tested positive for HSV
Hello Doctor,
I’m 31 years of age, residing in Mumbai, India. I had unprotected oral sex exposure (received oral sex) with a CSW three months ago. Post the exposure, I got urethritis. After being treated with antibiotics for 3 weeks, while the urethritis went away, my penis glans and foreskin had a lot of inflammation. I was then prescribed urispas and anti-inflammatory medication for 2 weeks. However, that did not ease the inflammation. So I was prescribed a corticosteroid ointment for about 6 days twice a day. After applying it, 65-70% of the inflammation went away. The doctor advised me against applying the ointment for another week as it could reduce the sensitivity of the penis. It has been a month now after applying the ointment and the inflammation of the penis glans has not reduced after the initial relief.
Couple of days ago (three months after exposure), I got tested for HIV, HSV-1&2, Hepatitis B&C, syphilis, SGOT, SGPT, Creatinine, RBC in a diagnostic lab specialising in microbiology that was recommended by another doctor. I have tested positive for IgM antibody test for HSV 1&2 (value of 1.25, which the lab has mentioned has been rechecked) while tested negative for the IgG antibody test for HSV 1&2 (value of 0.35). I have tested negative for the other STD’s. However, my SGPT value was indicated high at 90. My SGOT value was at 48. Please note that I don’t drink alcohol or smoke or take drugs.
I had the following questions:
• Has HSV has caused my SGPT levels to rise? Does HSV affect the liver? Do I need to get tested for Hepatitis A or any other STD’s?
• Do I need to be on medication for treatment of HSV-1&2? Will taking medication for HSV-1&2 alleviate the inflammation of the penis glans and slightly of the foreskin and the tingling and burning sensation in my penis? If not, what course of treatment would you recommend for the alleviation of penile symptoms mentioned above?
• What tests would recommend for the high SGPT value?
I’m 31 years of age, residing in Mumbai, India. I had unprotected oral sex exposure (received oral sex) with a CSW three months ago. Post the exposure, I got urethritis. After being treated with antibiotics for 3 weeks, while the urethritis went away, my penis glans and foreskin had a lot of inflammation. I was then prescribed urispas and anti-inflammatory medication for 2 weeks. However, that did not ease the inflammation. So I was prescribed a corticosteroid ointment for about 6 days twice a day. After applying it, 65-70% of the inflammation went away. The doctor advised me against applying the ointment for another week as it could reduce the sensitivity of the penis. It has been a month now after applying the ointment and the inflammation of the penis glans has not reduced after the initial relief.
Couple of days ago (three months after exposure), I got tested for HIV, HSV-1&2, Hepatitis B&C, syphilis, SGOT, SGPT, Creatinine, RBC in a diagnostic lab specialising in microbiology that was recommended by another doctor. I have tested positive for IgM antibody test for HSV 1&2 (value of 1.25, which the lab has mentioned has been rechecked) while tested negative for the IgG antibody test for HSV 1&2 (value of 0.35). I have tested negative for the other STD’s. However, my SGPT value was indicated high at 90. My SGOT value was at 48. Please note that I don’t drink alcohol or smoke or take drugs.
I had the following questions:
• Has HSV has caused my SGPT levels to rise? Does HSV affect the liver? Do I need to get tested for Hepatitis A or any other STD’s?
• Do I need to be on medication for treatment of HSV-1&2? Will taking medication for HSV-1&2 alleviate the inflammation of the penis glans and slightly of the foreskin and the tingling and burning sensation in my penis? If not, what course of treatment would you recommend for the alleviation of penile symptoms mentioned above?
• What tests would recommend for the high SGPT value?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
I'm afraid you are the victim of overly aggressive STD testing that would not have been recommended based on your symptoms and sexual history. Most important, almost certainly you are NOT infected with HSV. The IgM antibody tests for HSV are notoriously unreliable. Given your negative IgG results 3 months after your most recent sexual exposure, you can be certain you were not infected and your IgM result is falsely positive. Below is the link to a thread that discusses HSV IgM testing in more detail. FYI, we never use the IgM test in my clinic -- for exactly these reasons.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Confusiion-over-other-IgM-Herpes-posts/show/248394
I would also judge that the penile irritation symptoms -- once your nongonococcal urethritis had cleared up -- were not at all suggestive of herpes or any other STD. From all the information provided, including the other blood test results, it is clear you acquired no STD during the sexual encounter aside from NGU.
Finally, I have no advice about your liver enzyme anomaly, except that the first step normally would be to repeat the test. But for sure this has nothing to do with any STD or your sexual encounter, so it is outside the topics for this forum. You should discuss it with your personal physician.
Most important is the good news that you can put the HSV IgM test result and herpes out of your mind. You dont have herpes.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
I'm afraid you are the victim of overly aggressive STD testing that would not have been recommended based on your symptoms and sexual history. Most important, almost certainly you are NOT infected with HSV. The IgM antibody tests for HSV are notoriously unreliable. Given your negative IgG results 3 months after your most recent sexual exposure, you can be certain you were not infected and your IgM result is falsely positive. Below is the link to a thread that discusses HSV IgM testing in more detail. FYI, we never use the IgM test in my clinic -- for exactly these reasons.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Confusiion-over-other-IgM-Herpes-posts/show/248394
I would also judge that the penile irritation symptoms -- once your nongonococcal urethritis had cleared up -- were not at all suggestive of herpes or any other STD. From all the information provided, including the other blood test results, it is clear you acquired no STD during the sexual encounter aside from NGU.
Finally, I have no advice about your liver enzyme anomaly, except that the first step normally would be to repeat the test. But for sure this has nothing to do with any STD or your sexual encounter, so it is outside the topics for this forum. You should discuss it with your personal physician.
Most important is the good news that you can put the HSV IgM test result and herpes out of your mind. You dont have herpes.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No STD causes the sorts of symptoms you describe. Most penile skin rashes, on the glans or elsewhere, are not due to STD, and this forum does not provide detailed advice on non-STD health problems. I'll just reiterate that this is clearly not an STD and undoubtedly has nothing to do with your CSW exposure 3 months ago. The only possible connection is that you might have a yeast or other fungal infection triggered by the antibiotic therapy you received for the NGU you apparently acquired during that event.
My advice is to continue to work with your doctor; or if you have not seen a dermatologist, that would be a reasonable next step.
That will end this thread. Take care.
My advice is to continue to work with your doctor; or if you have not seen a dermatologist, that would be a reasonable next step.
That will end this thread. Take care.
Doctor Hansfield, thanks for your reply on herpes. I feel relieved. I wanted your advice on my penile symptoms. The penis glans and part of the foreskin burns when I touch it. The extent of the inflammation has reduced after applying the topical corticosteroid Ointment MMS (Mometasone Furoate Cream IP) a month ago for two times a day for 6 days. I wanted to confirm if the condition that I’m suffering from is balanitis.
Could the inflammation of the penis glans been caused by abrasive contact with the CSW’s teeth during oral sex? According to my physician, abrasive contact with the CSW’s teeth could have affected some nerves in my penis glans. He had also prescribed a nerve vitamin for a month.
I have read in some websites that topical corticosteroids can be applied until remission for upto 2 weeks for treating balanitis. My physician has however advised against using it further, saying that it would reduce the sensitivity of the penis. It has been a month now after applying the ointment and the inflammation of the penis glans has not reduced after the initial relief. Do you think my physician has advised me correctly in restricting usage of the corticosteroid ointment to 6 days?
Will the balanitis condition go away on its own? Do I need to do a sub-preputial swab?
What course of treatment would you recommend for the alleviation of my penile symptoms?
Could the inflammation of the penis glans been caused by abrasive contact with the CSW’s teeth during oral sex? According to my physician, abrasive contact with the CSW’s teeth could have affected some nerves in my penis glans. He had also prescribed a nerve vitamin for a month.
I have read in some websites that topical corticosteroids can be applied until remission for upto 2 weeks for treating balanitis. My physician has however advised against using it further, saying that it would reduce the sensitivity of the penis. It has been a month now after applying the ointment and the inflammation of the penis glans has not reduced after the initial relief. Do you think my physician has advised me correctly in restricting usage of the corticosteroid ointment to 6 days?
Will the balanitis condition go away on its own? Do I need to do a sub-preputial swab?
What course of treatment would you recommend for the alleviation of my penile symptoms?
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.
