[Question #180] herpes

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111 months ago
I was possibly exposed to Herpes 1 and 2  10 weeks  ago. I have had no systems and have tested negative @ 9.5 weeks with IgG blood test.
I have a vague feeling (like a very light pin stick) on my scrotum that comes  when i am worrying about exposure, and it disappears immediately when i relax and focus on other concerns. This feeling has been persistent since exposure.

When the sensation occurs my whole skin feels itchy. This goes away with relaxing. Since the feeling has been persistent can i assume i would have antibodies if i was infected?

Are the IgG tests pretty reliable at 11 weeks which i will schedule this week?

Should i see either a urologist or dermatologist?

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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
111 months ago
Testing at 11-12 weeks should be just fine.  If you've had no symptoms and test negative at 9.5 weeks, there is over a 70% chance that you will stay that way.  At 6 weeks, there is a 70% chance that what you get for a result will be the same at 16 weeks.  Also herpes does not present as a tiny pin prick sensation.  It helps that this sensation goes away when you are focused on other things or really relaxed.  It's funny what tricks our brain can play on us when we are concerned about a particular sexual contact, isn't it?  Herpes also does not present as full body itching. 

you actually do not need to see a physician in order to get testing if that is what you are asking about which specialty to use.  You can order your own IgG testing from several online services that use the same big labs (Quest and LabCorp) that physicians might usually use.  The results will come to you and if you have questions about them or help with interpretation, please let me know on this board. 

Best,
Terri
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111 months ago
Thank you for your response. If i test again at 3 months and test negative can i tell partner i am clear? Or do i need to wait longer?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
111 months ago
If you test negative at 12 weeks, you should be fine to tell your partner you are negative, yes.  No test is perfect, but this test is very good indeed to detect HSV 2

Terri
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