Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question. I also scanned your discussions on the herpes professional and community forums. The evidence you didn't catch genital herpes is overwhelming and conclusive.
First, the exposure was low risk; I would guess the odds of of catching HSV (of either type) from the sexual expousre described are well under 1 chance in 10,000.
Second, despite what you believe -- or "learned" by searching online -- your symptoms are not suggestive of a herpes. Both the nature of the symptoms and their timing and pattern are wrong. Herpes lesions may tingle itch or burn, and recurrent herpes outbreaks (but not the initial infection) can be preceded by neurological prodrome with various aches and pains -- but in the absense of lesions, these symptoms do not suggest herpes.
Third, your negative test results confirm you were not infected. I don't know how to intepret your description of a "qualitative" test -- maybe an older, non-type specific test. If so, it is highly reliable. When those tests are positive, they are difficult to interpret and do not distinguish HSV-1 from HSV-2. However, negative results are solid evidence against infection HSV.
Is it possible you were infected despite the low risk? Or that some of your symptoms could be related to genital herpes? Or that the blood test results are misleading? Maybe yes. However, the statistical chance is astromomically low that all three of these would break the wrong way. The overall information available amounts to conclusive evidence against it.
Those comments address several of your specific questions. I see no need for any additional testing for HSV, with any kind of test. As for other causes of such symptoms, I'm confident they are not due to any STD or any other infeciton. If they have anything to do with your sexual exposure last June, it's probably psychological, originating with anxiety over the event and/or your worries about herpes. I suggest you see a physician you trust then follow his or her advice about potential causes. In the meantime, I recommend you continue (or resume) your normal sexual relationship and practices with regular partner. No harm will come -- and I think it would do you a lot of good.
I hope this has been helpful. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Hello, I appreciate the quick response with your professional opinions that mean a great deal to me as this has been the most difficult time in my life. I just want to clarify a few things regarding your response. My two HSV tests were IGG type specific for both types. They only report to the clinic Negative, retest, or positive result. No numerical #'s. I called the Lab to discuss and they could only say that there is a numerical # but they only provide the outcome. It is qualitive test not Quantitive. They reassured me that anything suspicious or close to equivocal would warrant a retest. I have read and been told that you can have symptoms of herpes and not get sores. That my initial symptoms could happen without sores. Also, it states window period is 2-20 days which still means I fall into this category. Why would my penis have these sensations after my situation and not be because of this mistake. My mind cannot believe it is not in some way due to my June situation ( this past June, only 3 + months ago). Have you ever had patients or anyone on this forum with similar symptoms who actually turned out to have herpes?
You mention timing?
You mention nature and pattern? what do you mean by these not adding up?
I understand there is nothing I can do to change what I did but your suggestion to return to normal sexual relationship is hard for me to take as I do not in any way want to hurt my partner.
I appreciate your time and await your response. Thank you
This information does not change my opinions or advice.
"Why would my penis have these sensations after my situation and not be because of this mistake?" They may well be due to "this mistake". If so, an emotional response to a sexual exposure and decision you regret is the most likely explanation.
Take my advice and accept my reassurance or not, I don't care. But trust me on this: there is no way you have anything that can hurt your partner.
And that's my last comment on this thread.
Hello, I understand you mentioned you will not comment further, however, I recently got results back from a Western Blot (13 weeks past exposure)that show I am positive for HSV 1. I guess my two previous IGG tests didn't pick this up. The infectious disease Dr. said that with the results of the blot and the IGM and IGG tests that this is most likely a past infection from years ago. My question is now that this info is available, with my symptoms mentioned above, my exposure could I have contracted HSV 2 and have not tested positive at 12 weeks on IGG and 13 weeks on blot? I still get same aches in legs, buttocks and have had the three episodes of burning in my urethra ( July 1-5, Aug 3-7, sept 12-15, and one day on sept 19). No sores but all this is confusing. Please let me know what you suggest. Thank you for your help.
Half of all adults have HSV-1, mostly oral, mostly acquired in childhood. And 10% of all people with HSV-1 have negative IgG tests -- so there's nothing unusual in these results.
Otherwise, this result confirms all that I said above. You don't have HSV-2 and herpes does not explain any symptoms you have dscribed. I have no additional advice beyond what I said above. Do not have any more herpes tests and resume or continue sex with your regular partner. You may have to just learn to live with your symptoms, or consider psychological counseling to address them further.