[Question #13114] Question #12708 Follow-Up
 |
2 months ago
|
I had a baseline HSV 1 and HSV 2 igg done a few
days after this encounter: I was HSV1 positive and HSV2 negative as expected
(I'm in Canada so we aren't provided with our index values)
The following week after this encounter, I had a weird cut looking "lesion" on my inner thigh. I went to a sexual health clinic within 36 hours of noticing it, the doctor examined me and said it did not look herpetic at all and that a swab would be definitive since the lesion was open. She even asked if it hurt when she was swabbing, I informed her that it did not hurt at all. I did not have swollen lymph nodes or any other symptoms aside from the lesion which was a little itchy at times but not painful at all. The PCR swab test was negative for HSV1 and 2.
I have been very distressed during the past 3 months, basically convinced that I have acquired HSV1 or 2 genitally. In early May, I noticed an almost shiny red oval shaped spot under my foreskin. It was not raised or painful and had no lesions or vesicles, but did get itchy a couple of times while I had it and it took more than 4 weeks to disappear. I went to a sexual health clinic and had it looked at by another doctor who said it did not look herpetic at all but they would swab it anyway if I would like. The PCR swab came back negative for HSV1 and 2.
The following week after this encounter, I had a weird cut looking "lesion" on my inner thigh. I went to a sexual health clinic within 36 hours of noticing it, the doctor examined me and said it did not look herpetic at all and that a swab would be definitive since the lesion was open. She even asked if it hurt when she was swabbing, I informed her that it did not hurt at all. I did not have swollen lymph nodes or any other symptoms aside from the lesion which was a little itchy at times but not painful at all. The PCR swab test was negative for HSV1 and 2.
I have been very distressed during the past 3 months, basically convinced that I have acquired HSV1 or 2 genitally. In early May, I noticed an almost shiny red oval shaped spot under my foreskin. It was not raised or painful and had no lesions or vesicles, but did get itchy a couple of times while I had it and it took more than 4 weeks to disappear. I went to a sexual health clinic and had it looked at by another doctor who said it did not look herpetic at all but they would swab it anyway if I would like. The PCR swab came back negative for HSV1 and 2.
|
2 months ago
|
I had another HSV1 and HSV2 igg blood test taken on May 31st, over 13 weeks from original exposure which came back again positive for HSV1 and negative for HSV2. How should I proceed from here with future partners? I've been noticing itchiness, tingling and different things though I realize I may have been less aware or bothered by such things prior to this HSV scare. Can I be confident in my HSV2 testing? I've had several partners over the years and in relationships, usually unprotected once I've known someone long enough and we've been tested. I’m single and would like to get back to dating but I just want to be confident in my status. Do I just wait for anything else to pop-up and get that swabbed? Would you recommend I do the western blot?
Thanks so much for this service, your insight is immensely appreciated.
Thanks so much for this service, your insight is immensely appreciated.
 |
Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
2 months ago
|
Have you ever had a cold sore on your lip or in your nose? if yes, then that's where the HSV 1 antibody is coming from
The HSV 2 reliability depends upon the brand of test kit used and I doubt you're going to find that out. In the US, the LabCorp test is the best, aside from the western blot which is best.
With your heavy focus on HSV concerns, you might want to do the blot to get the most reliable results.
Terri
--- |
2 months ago
|
I've never actually had a cold sore on my lip, no. The test where I'm from in Toronto is a DiaSorin Liaison CLIA igg test - does this make sense? Do you have any information on the efficacy of this type of HSV blood test?
How hard would it be for me to get the Western Blot in Toronto and roughly how much would it cost? Can I be at least a little confident in the 2 negative swabs and 2 doctors stating that my symptoms didn't look herpetic?
If you were me, would you feel the need to spend the money for the Western Blot in this situation? I would like to put this behind me and resume dating as normal - I could just simply have anything that pops up swabbed (if anything pops up at all)
|
Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
2 months ago
|
That test has many false positives and you may want to consider the blot though it will cost you around $450 US dollars to do it.
I wouldn't do the blot because half the adults in the US (and likely Canada) have HSV 1, many without recognized symptoms, and without genital symptoms typical of HSV and clinicians have told you it isn't HSV and your HSV 2 is negative, that's a lot of money. But peace of mind is worth everything so if it would help you to do the blot and you can afford it, then do it!
Terri
---