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NEED HELP WITH TEST RESULTS
Hi Terri,
I'm absolutely mortified and nervous about this and I keep getting conflicting opinions so I thought I'd ask an expert.
About 6 weeks ago I was sexually assaulted. It wasn't rape by definition, however, the man forced himself on me kissed me on my mouth and all over, fondled me all over and fingered me.
He at the time had a cold sore on his cheek. I also know he was/used to be promiscuous and a heavy drug user.
A little over 5 weeks past the event I went to the gynecologist and got tested for a variety of stds. My main concern of course is herpes since I don't believe you can get the others from what I went through (right?)
I should also note that prior to the assault I had strep throat. During and following the assault I experienced 2 additional strep-like illnesses but tested negative for strep, flu, and mono. I was given antibiotics three times even though the doctors assumed the last two were viral.
SO... my test results from the gynecologist are as follows:
All negative
HIV = nonreactive
HCV antibody/Hep C virus Ab = .1
HSV I/II IgG Rflx I-II Type SP = .2
HSV IgM I/II Combination = 1.50 (H)
I'm so confused by these results. Is there a reason I have any number next to HCV/Hep C? Is it too early to tell if I have herpes, or do I definitely have herpes? What's the likelihood that it's genital? I'm also worried about spreading to other parts of my body like my eyes or genitals. I should also note that I have eczema and no outbreaks so far (that were apparent to me anyway). I do experience canker sores from time to time, which one nurse practitioner said was caused by herpes though my dentist always has said they're different.
Please shed some light. I'm really trying to understand so I can begin healing and coping but I just don't think I can wait the 6 months to re-test that the doctor recommends; I'd like some help and answers now.
Thank you in advance!
I'm absolutely mortified and nervous about this and I keep getting conflicting opinions so I thought I'd ask an expert.
About 6 weeks ago I was sexually assaulted. It wasn't rape by definition, however, the man forced himself on me kissed me on my mouth and all over, fondled me all over and fingered me.
He at the time had a cold sore on his cheek. I also know he was/used to be promiscuous and a heavy drug user.
A little over 5 weeks past the event I went to the gynecologist and got tested for a variety of stds. My main concern of course is herpes since I don't believe you can get the others from what I went through (right?)
I should also note that prior to the assault I had strep throat. During and following the assault I experienced 2 additional strep-like illnesses but tested negative for strep, flu, and mono. I was given antibiotics three times even though the doctors assumed the last two were viral.
SO... my test results from the gynecologist are as follows:
All negative
HIV = nonreactive
HCV antibody/Hep C virus Ab = .1
HSV I/II IgG Rflx I-II Type SP = .2
HSV IgM I/II Combination = 1.50 (H)
I'm so confused by these results. Is there a reason I have any number next to HCV/Hep C? Is it too early to tell if I have herpes, or do I definitely have herpes? What's the likelihood that it's genital? I'm also worried about spreading to other parts of my body like my eyes or genitals. I should also note that I have eczema and no outbreaks so far (that were apparent to me anyway). I do experience canker sores from time to time, which one nurse practitioner said was caused by herpes though my dentist always has said they're different.
Please shed some light. I'm really trying to understand so I can begin healing and coping but I just don't think I can wait the 6 months to re-test that the doctor recommends; I'd like some help and answers now.
Thank you in advance!
A related discussion, Update on :NEED HELP WITH TEST RESULTS (TERRI OR GRACE PLEASE HELP) was started.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I doubt very seriously that given all the underwear inbetween that either of you were at risk for any STD.
Terri
Terri
Terri,
I have a question I've been worried about, if you have time to answer. I recently got a small red pimple on my hand following several small, clear fluid-filled dots on my fingers and palms. They weren't ulcerated or anything and but they itched intensely. They're gone now otherwise I would have them tested.
I didn't mention in my previous post that my exposure involved the man also rubbing his genitals (through his boxers) against mine (through my undergarments) when he lifted my dress.
I'm worried that maybe I got something genitally and spread it to my hands in the shower or that maybe I got it on my hands from my mouth and now have spread it to my genitals.
Ugh. I can't wait until I just test and put this all behind me. But meanwhile, the not knowing is driving me crazy. What do you think? Am I overreacting?
Terri,
I have a question I've been worried about, if you have time to answer. I recently got a small red pimple on my hand following several small, clear fluid-filled dots on my fingers and palms. They weren't ulcerated or anything and but they itched intensely. They're gone now otherwise I would have them tested.
I didn't mention in my previous post that my exposure involved the man also rubbing his genitals (through his boxers) against mine (through my undergarments) when he lifted my dress.
I'm worried that maybe I got something genitally and spread it to my hands in the shower or that maybe I got it on my hands from my mouth and now have spread it to my genitals.
Ugh. I can't wait until I just test and put this all behind me. But meanwhile, the not knowing is driving me crazy. What do you think? Am I overreacting?
I have a question I've been worried about, if you have time to answer. I recently got a small red pimple on my hand following several small, clear fluid-filled dots on my fingers and palms. They weren't ulcerated or anything and but they itched intensely. They're gone now otherwise I would have them tested.
I didn't mention in my previous post that my exposure involved the man also rubbing his genitals (through his boxers) against mine (through my undergarments) when he lifted my dress.
I'm worried that maybe I got something genitally and spread it to my hands in the shower or that maybe I got it on my hands from my mouth and now have spread it to my genitals.
Ugh. I can't wait until I just test and put this all behind me. But meanwhile, the not knowing is driving me crazy. What do you think? Am I overreacting?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are most welcome
I'll be retesting in early august--4 months after exposure. I will definitely post my results then, thank you Terri!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Try not to focus on the IgM test, it honestly is very often falsely positive and should not be used to diagnose genital herpes. If you get a chance, follow up this post with your future results. Best to you, and do your best not to worry.
Terri
Terri
Yes, thank you that does help.
The reason I'm so nervous and confused is that the doctor said that my IgM test confirms that I do have one type or the other and that the only way to know which I have is to wait and re-test in 6 months.
She said not to worry just yet but I'm concerned with my health and the possibility of spreading HSV to others so it's hard not to worry!
I will ask the doctor more specifically about the Hep C results, though I believe she said that meant it was negative. And I'll take your advice and re-test in 4 months. Thank you for explaining this to me!
The reason I'm so nervous and confused is that the doctor said that my IgM test confirms that I do have one type or the other and that the only way to know which I have is to wait and re-test in 6 months.
She said not to worry just yet but I'm concerned with my health and the possibility of spreading HSV to others so it's hard not to worry!
I will ask the doctor more specifically about the Hep C results, though I believe she said that meant it was negative. And I'll take your advice and re-test in 4 months. Thank you for explaining this to me!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This is quite confusing. First, I'm not clear how to read your hepatitis C antibody, but I would guess that it is negative. Our lab only reports out positive or negative, not a number value, so you should ask about that specifically.
The IgM test for HSV is unreliable. This tells you basically nothing. The only reliable test is the IgG. Unfortunately, your doctor ordered a combination test which can't sort out HSV 1 from HSV 2. However, from this, it appears that you are negative for both. By six weeks from possible infection, 70% of those who are infected with HSV will show up positive on the IgG antibody test, so you are doing well so far!
Canker sores are NOT caused by herpes, so the NP was wrong and your dentist was correct.
The kind of exposure that you had really shouldn't put you at risk for anything genital, though it did put you at some risk for oral HSV.
I would recommend that you get retested at 4 months from exposure. Waiting six months will add very little, if anything, to your test results.
Does this help?
Terri
The IgM test for HSV is unreliable. This tells you basically nothing. The only reliable test is the IgG. Unfortunately, your doctor ordered a combination test which can't sort out HSV 1 from HSV 2. However, from this, it appears that you are negative for both. By six weeks from possible infection, 70% of those who are infected with HSV will show up positive on the IgG antibody test, so you are doing well so far!
Canker sores are NOT caused by herpes, so the NP was wrong and your dentist was correct.
The kind of exposure that you had really shouldn't put you at risk for anything genital, though it did put you at some risk for oral HSV.
I would recommend that you get retested at 4 months from exposure. Waiting six months will add very little, if anything, to your test results.
Does this help?
Terri
You are reading content posted in the Herpes 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.
