Hi , I had an unprotected exposure on nov25th 2023 ,after a month I got wisdom tooth swollen and on lips a small white bump came followed by red rashes on penis inside the skin,followed by high fever. I had std 10 panel test after 70 days of exposure all came negative except hsv1 showing abnormal.I asked women who I was with she normally replied she has common cold sores everyone has . I consulted urologist he saw my situation and prescribed me valacyclovir, and I showed him rashes on my penis he ruled out that rashes are not because of hsv1. It’s been one year two months since my exposure. I had around 6 std panel tests and 18 fourth gen hiv tests and two qualitative hiv1/hiv2 rna tests all came negative except hsv1 . So my question is am I free from other stds. And can I stop using Valacyclovir?or does my usage of valacyclovir is making my other std tests false negative?

Welcome back to the Forum.  I'm not sure why you are taking valacyclovir.  You discussed your positive blood test for HSV-1 with Terri 7 months ago/  The lesions on your penis sound nothing like herpes and the fact that you have already had a positive blood test, presumable related to previous infection as cold sores explains the positive test.  You should believe your multiple STD panels- they are reliable and the valacyclovir you have been taking will not make those tests falsely negative.  There is no evidence that you have an STI resulting from your Nov. 2023 exposure.  It is time to put your fears aside and move forward without concern.  There is no need for further testing.  EWH---

Hi Edward, 

It is not even clear that your outbreak was a manifestation of HSV.   I think you are over reacting.  Transmission of HSV is not as easy as you think.  Most exposures to HSV- even when lesions are present, do not lead to transmission of infection.  Further, with respect to HSV-1 which is the only infection there is any evidence that you might have, over 60% of people have the infection and this cannot be re-infected.  I agree entirely with those who have already urged you to calm down.  ---