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Confusion: Symptoms and Negative Tests
Hi there,
So I'm very confused. A year and a half ago I had an encounter that left me terrified of herpes. I had two blood tests done and both came back negative for HSV-1 and HSV-2. However, after that specific encounter I had genital symptoms that included tingling and itching around the thighs and anus. However, no lesions ever developed. About 10 months ago I had another forced encounter. Six months after I was tested again twice for HSV-1 and HSV-2 and both tests were negative (all four were IGG and there was also an IgM done on top of most of them). I have been having facial burning and tingling, similar to the genital symptoms. Again, no sores or lesions present, just some occasional redness. Would those 4 tests be completely conclusive at this point, at a six months and six months post encounters? Also, would herpes ever manifest as a pimple-like bump under the skin that doesn't head? What do you make of the tingling? Psycho-somatic or a skin thing or herpes?
Thanks so much.
So I'm very confused. A year and a half ago I had an encounter that left me terrified of herpes. I had two blood tests done and both came back negative for HSV-1 and HSV-2. However, after that specific encounter I had genital symptoms that included tingling and itching around the thighs and anus. However, no lesions ever developed. About 10 months ago I had another forced encounter. Six months after I was tested again twice for HSV-1 and HSV-2 and both tests were negative (all four were IGG and there was also an IgM done on top of most of them). I have been having facial burning and tingling, similar to the genital symptoms. Again, no sores or lesions present, just some occasional redness. Would those 4 tests be completely conclusive at this point, at a six months and six months post encounters? Also, would herpes ever manifest as a pimple-like bump under the skin that doesn't head? What do you make of the tingling? Psycho-somatic or a skin thing or herpes?
Thanks so much.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The swab should be taken from a lesion. We are really finished with this particular post. The standard is two follow up questions, and I think we are well past that. If you have more questions, you need to do a new post. Thanks
Terri
Terri
From the urethra I mean that he put the swab deep inside my urethra, he said it was more accurate. However, my sores were not there. They where half on the side of my glans half right under it.
I already thought it wasn't taken properly, that is why I said I was desperate because I could't trust the doctors in asia. I was asking though because I have read here on other posts that some people got also urethral swabs checking for herpes, that is why. I thought that maybe, if you are having an outbreak,you might be shedding also inside your penis.
I already thought it wasn't taken properly, that is why I said I was desperate because I could't trust the doctors in asia. I was asking though because I have read here on other posts that some people got also urethral swabs checking for herpes, that is why. I thought that maybe, if you are having an outbreak,you might be shedding also inside your penis.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A herpes swab should always be taken from a lesion, as aggressively as the patient can tolerate. What do you mean, from the urethra? He swabbed the urethra? Is that where the lesion was? I am confused.
Terri
Terri
Hi Terry, thank you so so much. I am sorry, this is my last question I promise.
The urethral PCR for HSV that the doctor did to me after 20 hours my last and worst "outbreak" started, is it accurate? I mean, would it show signs of herpes or it is not reliable at all because it should have been done rubbing the sore instead of urethral? The doctor said urethral was more accurate but I trust you more. Note that the sores where worst than ever, I mean the outbreak was in its highest point.
Thank you Terry I just hope you can help me with this last question.
The urethral PCR for HSV that the doctor did to me after 20 hours my last and worst "outbreak" started, is it accurate? I mean, would it show signs of herpes or it is not reliable at all because it should have been done rubbing the sore instead of urethral? The doctor said urethral was more accurate but I trust you more. Note that the sores where worst than ever, I mean the outbreak was in its highest point.
Thank you Terry I just hope you can help me with this last question.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
About 40% of new genital herpes in the US is HSV 1 now.
Whether you do the western blot is your call. I think we've discussed this at length now.
This is my last post on this thread.
Terri
Whether you do the western blot is your call. I think we've discussed this at length now.
This is my last post on this thread.
Terri
Ok thank you so so much Terri, you are helping me a lot. I am traveling around asia, and I can't trust the doctors here because they don't even know how to do a PCR swab (remember that they took the PCR from my urethra when there where obvious sores on my glans). So I am desperate as you can imagine.
I meant that, from all the people that has genital herpes, just in 10-15% of the cases is type 1, so that is why I was thinking that my chances of having the type on for a 5-10 minutes encounter it was really low, also because from what I gather it's less contagious than the type 2. Therefore, and regarding my low budget, do you still think I should go for a WB, or a Herpes Select would do? Since they have pretty much the same accuracy for HSV-2...
I meant that, from all the people that has genital herpes, just in 10-15% of the cases is type 1, so that is why I was thinking that my chances of having the type on for a 5-10 minutes encounter it was really low, also because from what I gather it's less contagious than the type 2. Therefore, and regarding my low budget, do you still think I should go for a WB, or a Herpes Select would do? Since they have pretty much the same accuracy for HSV-2...
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I don't know what you mean by 15% of people have HSV 1 in the genitals.
I've not seen herpes present at consistent redness only over several weeks, no.
Given your test results, I honestly don't know if you have HSV 1 or not, anywhere on your body. But if it is genital, these symptoms don't sound like it.
Terri
I've not seen herpes present at consistent redness only over several weeks, no.
Given your test results, I honestly don't know if you have HSV 1 or not, anywhere on your body. But if it is genital, these symptoms don't sound like it.
Terri
To clarify, the mild burning comes a few times a day, for a while (can be 20 minutes, or 5), and then stops. Some days it doesn't come, but i probably have it 4 days a week. It is true that when my mind is busy I feel it much less often than when I am sitting and worried if I have herpes, but I do not think it is all in my mind.
Ok so I will probably get the WB once I get to USA in a couple of weeks. However, don't you think the change of me having HSV1 is really low, taking into account that I just had sex for like 5-10 minutes, and HSV 1 is not that likely to be passed genitals to genitals, plus just 15% of people have it in the genitals...? I mean, I think I have a higher chance to have HSV 2, so I was wondering if it might be more worth it for me just to get a Herpes Select now that has been 6 months post exposure (because it's cheaper basically, I'm traveling and on a really low budget..).
On the other hand, when you say "herpes generally does not present as persistent redness alone", you mean that sometimes it does? And also, what do you think of the coming and going mild burning I have been having since everything started (5 months ago), even though I have been now 1,5 months without redness? Honestly Terry, what do you think are the odds all of this is herpes related?
On the other hand, when you say "herpes generally does not present as persistent redness alone", you mean that sometimes it does? And also, what do you think of the coming and going mild burning I have been having since everything started (5 months ago), even though I have been now 1,5 months without redness? Honestly Terry, what do you think are the odds all of this is herpes related?
Ok so I will probably get the WB once I get to USA in a couple of weeks. However, don't you think the change of me having HSV1 is really low, taking into account that I just had sex for like 5-10 minutes, and HSV 1 is not that likely to be passed genitals to genitals, plus just 15% of people have it in the genitals...? I mean, I think I have a higher chance to have HSV 2, so I was wondering if it might be more worth it for me just to get a Herpes Select now that has been 6 months post exposure (because it's cheaper basically, I'm traveling and on a really low budget..).
On the other hand, when you say "herpes generally does not present as persistent redness alone", you mean that sometimes it does? And also, what do you think of the coming and going mild burning I have been having since everything started (5 months ago), even though I have been now 1,5 months without redness? Honestly Terry, what do you think are the odds all of this is herpes related?
On the other hand, when you say "herpes generally does not present as persistent redness alone", you mean that sometimes it does? And also, what do you think of the coming and going mild burning I have been having since everything started (5 months ago), even though I have been now 1,5 months without redness? Honestly Terry, what do you think are the odds all of this is herpes related?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Sometimes one test picks it up when another doesn't.
Honestly, your risk is so low, if you have HSV 1, I doubt it would be from that encounter. But if you are asking me if you can trust the results, I would say you can with 90% certainty.
Terri
Honestly, your risk is so low, if you have HSV 1, I doubt it would be from that encounter. But if you are asking me if you can trust the results, I would say you can with 90% certainty.
Terri
To clarify, if one test wasn't picking it up would another? What is the likelihood of the tests never picking up an HSV1 infection? I just am so confused and distraught over this whole thing.
Since I've done two of the tests plus the IgM and they were all negative for HSV1, despite having a 1/10 chance of it not picking up, would you think that is definitive? Should I believe I do not have HSV1 despite the weird itching and burning on my face?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Lack of sensitivity means the test isn't great at picking up cases of infection.Herpes generally does not present as persistent redness alone.
terri
terri
ok thank you so much. But what do you mean the lack of sensitivity for HSV 1 of the test? I don't know what test they did to me, I just know they checked for IGG Ab for both HSV 1 and 2.
Also, isn't it really wierd that it took 3 months of coming and going redness (it would be there 4 days, then go for 2-3 days...) until I got what it looked more like and herpes outbreak? For what I've read herpes never does that...is it possible though?
Also, isn't it really wierd that it took 3 months of coming and going redness (it would be there 4 days, then go for 2-3 days...) until I got what it looked more like and herpes outbreak? For what I've read herpes never does that...is it possible though?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Interesting. The blisters obviously have me concerned and the lack of sensitivity for HSV 1 of the antibody test. You may want to consider the western blot as well, for the same reason.
Two things: 1) if you ever get this again, insist on a PCR swab test. Don't take no for an answer about this
2) you should not test for cure of chlamydia until three months have passed. The test picks up dead organisms so it is very important not to test too soon. Honestly, Reiter's Syndrome can happen but is pretty rare in my experience. I would encourage you to work with a rheumatologist on this one, but keeping in mind that you likely don't have resistant CT. New studies do show Azithro is not as effective as doxycycline for treating chlamydia, however.
terri
Two things: 1) if you ever get this again, insist on a PCR swab test. Don't take no for an answer about this
2) you should not test for cure of chlamydia until three months have passed. The test picks up dead organisms so it is very important not to test too soon. Honestly, Reiter's Syndrome can happen but is pretty rare in my experience. I would encourage you to work with a rheumatologist on this one, but keeping in mind that you likely don't have resistant CT. New studies do show Azithro is not as effective as doxycycline for treating chlamydia, however.
terri
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The ELISA misses about one in 10 cases of HSV 1 so there is a 10% chance it missed an HSV 1 infection. The western blot is more sensitive for HSV 1.
Terri
Terri
Hi Terry, I am kind of in the same situation (symptoms and negative tests). Could you please check out my post on the Herpes Community? I paid for an expert answer but I could not submit my question here I don't know why, it did not work. I am sure there is a way to check that I paid. So I paid and I had to post it on the other forum...could you take a quick look please? I am desperate. It's called "Is it Herpes", from the 4th of May. Thank you so so much.
With the most recient two negative IgGs and the negative IgM for HSV1 would you recommend doing the Western Blot or do you think that is sufficient to indicate that I wasn't infected with HSV1?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If the forced encounters included forcing you to be the giver of oral sex, then the worry still would be HSV 2, not HSV 1. Thus I would trust the antibody test, yes. If the risk was HSV 1, the western blot would be quite a bit more sensitive than the ELISA, but I don't think that is the concern.
terri
terri
Also, do you know what the statistical accuracy of IgG and IgM tests are? I keep coming across conflicting information, from between 65% accuracy and 98% accuracy and I'm not sure what to believe.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Terri,
Thank you so much for your help. Both of the mentioned encounters were sexual assaults by two different assailants. So you do not recommend further testing at this point? It would not be likely to not have a recognizable outbreak and not produce antibodies that could be seen in tests? And would you recommend seeing a dermatologist? The itching/burning tends to occur on my right eyelid, high on my right cheek and radiates from the right corner of my mouth my jawline. With my current freak out (for lack of a better word), there is a small under the skin zit around the area of my mouth/chin that is irritated. There is some redness but my skin is prone to redness so that on its own doesn't seem out of the ordinary.
Thank you again
Thank you so much for your help. Both of the mentioned encounters were sexual assaults by two different assailants. So you do not recommend further testing at this point? It would not be likely to not have a recognizable outbreak and not produce antibodies that could be seen in tests? And would you recommend seeing a dermatologist? The itching/burning tends to occur on my right eyelid, high on my right cheek and radiates from the right corner of my mouth my jawline. With my current freak out (for lack of a better word), there is a small under the skin zit around the area of my mouth/chin that is irritated. There is some redness but my skin is prone to redness so that on its own doesn't seem out of the ordinary.
Thank you again
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I would believe the results of your antibody tests. But I am concerned about your statement of "another forced encounter"? What does that mean?
The symptoms that you describe are very common among people who have herpes worries. I suspect we all have them but don't really give them another thought until we are worried about something like herpes.
Herpes lesions normally do not appear as a bump under the skin that do no thing else. Usually, herpes lesions will blister, then open, then scab.
But what about the "forced encounters"?
Terri
The symptoms that you describe are very common among people who have herpes worries. I suspect we all have them but don't really give them another thought until we are worried about something like herpes.
Herpes lesions normally do not appear as a bump under the skin that do no thing else. Usually, herpes lesions will blister, then open, then scab.
But what about the "forced encounters"?
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.
