Hi Terri, long time follower of the forum. I was recently open and honest about the number of sexual partners I have had with a woman I am about to marry. She is very concerned that I am an asymptomatic carrier of HSV 1-2 she has had no reason to test as she has never been sexually active, obviously this is causing me a lot of anxiety because I had never thought about this and always thought HSV would present with some sort of sign. Since the thought popped up in my head I have been experiencing itchiness in my groin that turns red but never ulcerates or scabs or develops into lesions and I have been hyper aware of any skin changes in the genital or lips area. I am afraid due to my previous sexual history I may be an asymptomatic carrier or experiencing atypical symptoms of hsv since as we know these all aren’t as obvious as they can be and can often be missed. Also since travelling quite a bit for work and having been run down and stressed for a week I developed an incredibly itchy rash around my anus but again no lesions or anything to swab. I was wondering if I should do one of those take home tests or the diasorin test to potentially find out my true status. And was wondering if you have ever seen an hsv 2 positive patient just simply develop a dry skin rash around the anus and groin. Looking forward to your response. 

Also have been experiencing this prodormal feeling in my penis for the past 4 months but no development of sores or lesions as well at the same time too.

Also upon self examining I have noticed two new pimples on the shaft of my penis there is no fluid to swab however. I fear that I may have been carrying hsv-2 now and due to the stress it is starting to flare up it is directly on the shaft of my penis and only visible when light is flashed on it. 

The generalized itchy rash without any specific lesions does not sound like HSV to me.  Once someone is worried about HSV, this can trigger thoughts that symptoms you normally might ignore, now raise questions about whether anything in that area could be prodromal or herpes symptoms.  In your situation, I think either doing an IgG with LabCorp or a Western blot would be appropriate.  Most people who have herpes don't know it, for both HSV-1 and HSV-2, so testing would offer you and your partner an opportunity to be aware of any herpes concerns that might exist.  I don't recommend the Quest test, Diasorin, due to a relatively high rate of false positives.---

I am in Canada we only have the diasorin are you aware of anywhere in Canada that offers the same test that you are referring to. If it turns out to be a high positive I wouldn’t want to waste my time with the western blot and just accept my diagnosis. 

If not I will work with you on the western blot. Money isn’t an issue for being aware of my true status. I would imagine that anything herpetic would show symptoms like a pimple or anything that can be swabbed at least if self examining for 6 months though no? 

I am not aware of anywhere in Canada that does the Roche test that is the better test, no.  But I can help you get the western blot.  If money is not an issue, can you fly to the US to get drawn for the blot?---

Unfortunately work hinders me from doing so at this point in time is that a requirement I thought shipping samples were allowed. 

Well, they have been but UW has now been encountering issues with customs that is making it more difficult.  Perhaps the best thing for you to do is to contact UW and ask about if this is possible now.  206-685-6066.  I just tried to help a woman get the blot in Canada and it was challenging for sure and I'm not clear if she was even able to do it - I think she just decided to fly down on a weekend and get it drawn in Seattle.---