Hi Doctor, I will try to make this as concise as I can. Meds:  BP and Thyroid

2/20.   Front part of testicles turn bright red. Shaft red also. Develop bumps on shaft. Head had many bumps. No itching.  At the same time my nipples became very painful. Bumps around nipples. No blistering.

3/ 1.  Urgent Care.. Dr confirms bumps are not herpes.  Ran STD test all neg except following.  Labcorp shows HSV 1 IgG 62.30 (had since I was a kid) HSV 2 IgG 4.73. Doctor was not confident I have herpes 2 based on history.

3/ 6,  New Dr gave me an anti fungal cream and said bumps and lesion were no herpes.  Reviewed HSV 2 results and he said nothing to worry about. You may have been exposed but not infected. 3/10.  Occasional sharp stabbing pain about 1 inc inside the shaft.  No pain when urinating.  Pin like pain on shaft.

3/30. Went to Urologist. Shaft still red but now have left testicle in much pain.  I Believe it was epididymis. .  Amox. Clav 875 4/ 15,  Pain getting worse.  My GP changed prescription to doxycycline hyclate 100mg    Cleared it up.

My penis is still very sensitive. The pain in my penis shaft comes and goes. I am now itchy in groin area and entire body. Face included.   Having pin pain on penis head occasionally.  Putting vaseline on penis helps with the pin pain.

 I had 2 doctors question the HSV 2 results. Are my symptoms herpes related? What are your thoughts? 

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. 

Your symptoms sound nothing at all like herpes and I believe you have confirmation of that from physicians who have actually seen you in person.  They sound very fungal to me.  Herpes would not cause diffuse redness nor testicular pain nor itching all over your entire body and face.  Have you tried any antifungal medicine yet?

On the other hand, an IgG of 4.73 probably indicates that you are both infected with HSV 2 and infectious to others.  The CDC recommends that people who obtain an index value between 1.1 and 3.5 get a confirmatory lab test and the best is the herpes western blot.  Your index value is above that and so traditionally, we don't confirm those but if you want confirmation, a western blot can be ordered from the University of Washington.  I would say there is at least a 90% chance that the western blot will confirm your HSV 2 positive result.  If you want more information about the meaning of a positive IgG herpes test, please read the 2015 CDC STD treatment guideline section on herpes testing and the meaning of a positive antibody test and the need for confirmatory testing.

Please let me know what other questions you might have

Terri
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HI Terri

 Regarding fungal creams the answer is yes.  I used desonide and econazole nitrate creams twice a day for several weeks.  I think I over used it because skin stayed red and very dry and blistered badly at one point. Once I stopped, redness was gone and pain subsided.  Not sure if it was the doxycycline that clear the redness.

When I first had the redness on my testicles my nipples where extremely painful. Presently my breasts are much more sore than my nipples.

My penis pain is still there.  I notice when I examine my penis I see  shiny little breaks in the skin. At bedtime the pain and itching is worse. This has been going on for some time now.  

Is it possible that this is a mild case of shingles?  Could shingles exposure elevate IgG scores?  Is it possible I have some form of skin infection? 

Maybe I am in denial.  I have had 2 partners in the last 7 years and they don't have herpes. I was tested 5 years ago and came out neg. I just feel its possible that other conditions are playing a roll in the IgG test results.   Am I crazy for thinking that? 

No, I don't believe at all that this is a mild case of shingles. And no, Shingles would not elevate your IgG scores.  But it is certainly possible that you have some type of skin infection particularly if the doxy seemed to help. 
You can most certainly get a confirmatory test for your HSV 2.  If you tested negative by IgG five years ago and no one you've had sex with since is positive by IgG test (not just telling you they are negative), if you were my clinic patient, I would order confirmatory testing for you.  I had someone with a 3.73 on their IgG test this week order a western blot and it was completely negative.  There are a few possibilities here:  1) your test 5 years ago was an IgM not an IgG test 2) you tested too soon after an encounter with someone that might have been infected, though it doesn't sound like that from the history that you give 3) one of the partners you've had is actually infected and isn't telling you or doesn't know - when you say they don't have herpes, do they know that from IgG tests or just from having no symptoms they believe are herpes? 

I would suggest that you see a dermatologist to help you sort out the redness problem in the genital area and consider getting a herpes western blot to confirm your IgG test results.

Terri
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Hi Terri,   Two days after a some external sex play (non intercourse) all the redness and the problems stated.  It may all be related but I'm not sure.   If the ImG test came in negative  approx 14 days after the encounter but the IgG test came in at 4.73 do you think that encounter was where I could of contracted the herpes?
I have not had any breakouts but I have itching all over my body. Is that a normal herpes reaction?
Also My testicles are again bright red again in a very defined area. No creams seem to help. Is that a normal herpes reaction?

I do not think at all that you contracted HSV 2 at the external sex play encounter, no, your IgG index value is too high for you to have contracted HSV 2 two weeks prior.  The itching all over your body is unlikely to be related to herpes.  Also, a red scrotum is not a sign of herpes either, Art.

Terri
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