[Question #8234] Wound/ulcer on base/scrotum area
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47 months ago
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Hey there so I had a talk with dr handsfield a few days ago on this topic and have since received blood test results (if you wouldn’t mind skimming it, if it’s not him answering) My IGG test for HSV 1 and 2 were both negative. The last time I had sex was protected and it was 60(bit over 8 weeks) days from the time my blood was drawn a few days ago. Before that it had been a long time. I also had the spot swabbed as the doctor I saw suspected it could be herpes. It was a single open wound/ulcer on my scrotal skin near the base of my penis .. I guess this wouldn’t be covered by a condom .. didn’t really itch or hurt very much. It looks like it’s healing like a normal wound.. I’d say I noticed it looking better a day after I went to the doc. For a one time encounter is negative blood work at 8 weeks a good indication that It’s something else(ik 12 is ideal)? It just looked a lot like a single herpes ulcer to me.. Idk what it could be, and Ive been in shambles , I’d like to just have them not test the swab and go on with my life.
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47 months ago
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The swab was taken Wednesday morning.. it was a rapid viral culture… I guess I’m just wondering how much I can rely on a negative IGG test 8.5 weeks after exposure (I never noticed anything until this lesion 8 weeks after a single encounter). Dr hand field seemed confident the tests would be negative… I’m just worried about this swab because I don’t understand what would cause such an open wound/sore/ulcer.
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47 months ago
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Okay I also just got more test results from the swab. I was under the impression she was doing a viral culture and it would take 2 weeks.. but I just had results sent to me “herpes simplex by PCR
Location: Scrotum
HSV 1: Negative
HSV 2 : Negative
Does this mean I’m in the clear?? I’m a little confused
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
47 months ago
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The timing is quite good for the testing to be done - at 8 weeks out I think you would pick up most infections, within the limitations of the test's ability. And a negative PCR is excellent. I agree that it is highly unlikely that this is herpes, but we can't give you 100% certainty, as I'm sure you understand. If you ever get this again, do another swab test and if you still feel unsettled about the result, you can get the western blot for herpes, though I suspect you may not live in the US. Does that help at all?
Terri
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47 months ago
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I do live in the US .. I’ve had negative IGG results before a year ago. but have slept with one person one time since (8.5 weeks ago) .. is it likely that the IGG and PCR would be negative but the viral culture that takes longer not be? The doctor explained it poorly honestly lol
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47 months ago
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She also said that tha IGG wasn’t a good test and the IGM was better ..and that it can’t be spread when you don’t have lesions .. which I know from scouring these forms (bad health anxiety) .. is not true at all. I THINK she ordered igg/igm from the blood .. and PCR/culture from the swab… can I rely on the igg and PCR results?? Or am I wrong and the others more accurate
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
47 months ago
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The PCR is the most accurate swab test. Compared to PCR, the culture misses 75% of HSV 2 infections.
The IgM is a terrible test and the CDC says never to use it to try to diagnose herpes and there is much cross-reactivity between the herpes viruses with this test. Yes, the IgG is a reasonable test though it misses 30% of HSV 1 and 8% of HSV 2 compared to the gold standard western blot for herpes.
Terri
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