Aa
blister on base on penis, is it herpes?
Hi Doc, i had an encounter with a prostitute, we didn't have sex but she grind her genital against my penis while i was lying down with a condom on. I wasn't erected the whole time so i figure the condom wasn't on completely. 3 weeks later a rash started at the very base of my penis where it joins my testicles, on the left side where alot of pubic hair grows. Then 4 small blisters appeared after 1 day on the same spot, i scratched it while taking a shower then it all poped on the same day. Some clear puss and little blood. I figure that might be the spot where the condom wasn't covered since i wasn't erected. I went to a doctor and he said it might be herpes but he couldn't do a test because it started to crust, then he prescribed me some drugs for HSV2, the drug name starts with a "V". The blister wasn't itchy at all, and i have no other symptoms that describes a herpes, but i do have a little ache on the inside of testicles, the ache feels like when force is applied on the testicles. The sores healed after a little more then a week, then i went in and took a blood test and still waiting for result. Its been a month now, and i do still feel a little constant itch on my penis and sore testicles. 2 days ago i found a grey bump on the inside of my lip, its been two days and its still there i can not pop it because it feels like there is a thick layer of skin on top of it. I did not kiss the prostitute and didn't have any oral contact the entire time. Could i have herpes? Please help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Tengineer's comment is correct (I think he means the result is equivocal between 16 and 22). There is little clinical experience with the test, but it is a type-specific ELISA and the interpretation probably is similar to that of other more common tests, such as HerpeSelect (Focus Technologies) and the HSV Captia test (Trinity Biotech). With those tests, the numerical results are different, but those that are only slightly above the positive cut-off often are false, even though technically positive. But the Euroimmun test has not been studied in such detail.
Accordingly, my best guess is that a result of 25.2 may be false, because it is proportionately not high above 22. Combining that with the atypical nature of your symptoms, I am still inclined to believe you don't have genital herpes. However, I cannot be certain.
My advice is for you discuss all this with the doctor who ordered the test. If s/he is uncertain about the interepretation, you should have yet another blood test. If you go to the same lab and Euroimmun is done again, and if the number continues to rise, it probably means you have HSV-2. Or you could ask your doc to try a different lab, preferably one that does one of the more commonly used tests named above. (In the US, Quest laboratories use HerpeSelect and Labcorp uses Captia.) Or you could go straight to an HSV Western blot test. For WB, the lab would need to send a specimen to the University of Washington clinical lab in Seattle.
Accordingly, my best guess is that a result of 25.2 may be false, because it is proportionately not high above 22. Combining that with the atypical nature of your symptoms, I am still inclined to believe you don't have genital herpes. However, I cannot be certain.
My advice is for you discuss all this with the doctor who ordered the test. If s/he is uncertain about the interepretation, you should have yet another blood test. If you go to the same lab and Euroimmun is done again, and if the number continues to rise, it probably means you have HSV-2. Or you could ask your doc to try a different lab, preferably one that does one of the more commonly used tests named above. (In the US, Quest laboratories use HerpeSelect and Labcorp uses Captia.) Or you could go straight to an HSV Western blot test. For WB, the lab would need to send a specimen to the University of Washington clinical lab in Seattle.
i tried this test..it is equal between 16:22 ...it is company name is (euroimmun) from Germany....they said on the website it is sensitive like herpesselect
Hi doc, thanks for the reply. These values are in EU/ml units, i asked for the OD value but they couldn't provide and yes these tests are HSV type 2 specific test, i did not test for HSV 1 in both cases. I will ask for the name of the test.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
First, you can ignore the IgM results. They appear normal, but IgM testing is always unreliable.
I am unfamiliar with any IgG HSV blood test that gives numbers as high as 14.7 or 25.2, or whose cut-off is as high as 22. For the tests with which I am familiar, most weakly positive results -- i.e. barely above the cut-off -- are false. Combining the test result with the exposure and symptoms you had, I still am inclined to beliefe you didn't catch herpes. However, you should confirm this interpretation with the doctor or clinic where you were tested.
If you would like to provide more details about the test -- it's name and whether it was a type specific test for HSV-2 -- perhaps I will have more to say about it.
I am unfamiliar with any IgG HSV blood test that gives numbers as high as 14.7 or 25.2, or whose cut-off is as high as 22. For the tests with which I am familiar, most weakly positive results -- i.e. barely above the cut-off -- are false. Combining the test result with the exposure and symptoms you had, I still am inclined to beliefe you didn't catch herpes. However, you should confirm this interpretation with the doctor or clinic where you were tested.
If you would like to provide more details about the test -- it's name and whether it was a type specific test for HSV-2 -- perhaps I will have more to say about it.
hi doc, the first blood test was done on Nov. 3rd, which the result turns out IgG 14.7 igM 0.253 which is in the normal range. Then i had a second test on Dec. 6 which the result IgG 25.8 (normal is below 22) IgM 0.222 positive for IgG value. Since i took Valtrex for 3 days starting from oct 26 to 28, could that change the result of my first blood test? What are the chances of a false positive of the second test? I recall the testicle pain that i encounter could be mistaken for groin lymph node pain which add to one of the symptoms of herpes. Please help, thank you very much.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Such brief treatment will have no effect. Anti-herpetic therapy is believed to be a problem with blood tests only when taken on a prolonged, ongoing basis.
Thanks doc, much appreciated. I took valacyclovir for three days starting from Oct 26-28 and went in for a blood test on Nov 3rd. Will that alter the results? I understand that there could be a false negative result with the blood test but would the results be a false positive from taking the med? Thanks.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum.
Herpes is rarely if ever transmitted by genital contact without penetration ("grinding"). It's theoretically possible but I have never seen such a case, and certainly there are other common skin conditions that could explain your symptoms, especially folliculitis (hair follicle infection). Also, initial herpes outbreaks don't take 3 weeks to show up; mostly it's 2-5 days and almost always within 10 days. And herpes rarely occurs in hairy areas -- whereas folliculitis always does.
The testicular aching and penile itching are definitely not herpes symptoms -- they sound more anxiety-related than anything else. The oral bump also doesn't suggest herpes and undoubtedly has nothing to do with the sexual exposure or your genital symptoms.
For all those reasons, I doubt you caught HSV. Still, given your description and doctor's suspicion about herpes and treatment for it, you should have additional tests to know for sure. Treatment can alter blood test results, so if you still are taking it (valacyclovir, trade name Valtrex), stop now. Wait until 6-8 weeks have passed since the onset of the rash, i.e. about 10-12 weeks after the sexual exposure, then have an HSV blood test. If before then you develop any new penile blisters/sores, visit your doctor within 1-2 days so the lesions can be tested directly for herpes.
In the meantime, I really wouldn't worry about this. I doubt herpes or any other STD is the problem. But return with a follow-up comment to let me know how things go if and/when you have additional HSV testing.
Regards-- HHH, MD
Herpes is rarely if ever transmitted by genital contact without penetration ("grinding"). It's theoretically possible but I have never seen such a case, and certainly there are other common skin conditions that could explain your symptoms, especially folliculitis (hair follicle infection). Also, initial herpes outbreaks don't take 3 weeks to show up; mostly it's 2-5 days and almost always within 10 days. And herpes rarely occurs in hairy areas -- whereas folliculitis always does.
The testicular aching and penile itching are definitely not herpes symptoms -- they sound more anxiety-related than anything else. The oral bump also doesn't suggest herpes and undoubtedly has nothing to do with the sexual exposure or your genital symptoms.
For all those reasons, I doubt you caught HSV. Still, given your description and doctor's suspicion about herpes and treatment for it, you should have additional tests to know for sure. Treatment can alter blood test results, so if you still are taking it (valacyclovir, trade name Valtrex), stop now. Wait until 6-8 weeks have passed since the onset of the rash, i.e. about 10-12 weeks after the sexual exposure, then have an HSV blood test. If before then you develop any new penile blisters/sores, visit your doctor within 1-2 days so the lesions can be tested directly for herpes.
In the meantime, I really wouldn't worry about this. I doubt herpes or any other STD is the problem. But return with a follow-up comment to let me know how things go if and/when you have additional HSV testing.
Regards-- 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.
