Concerned

[Concerned2023]

Hi Terri!

Hope you are doing well

First off i would like to thank you for all the work you do!

Here is my story, i tested positive for both hsv1 and hsv2 on igg test (no numbers provided)

I went to my family doctor for my annual check up and completed to normal tests ( blood samples & urine) that she usually does every year

To my surprise my test came back positive for hsv( not type specific) well not really a surprise considering i have had cold sores in the past mainly as a child

My doctor explained to me it was probably due to that and not to worry

I went home and obviously started overthinking all the symptoms i might of had in the past (genitally) and i remembered getting a “rash” down there, more specifically on my labia who had gotten stuck to my underwear and hurt/burned when i pulled it off, it then obviously stang a little when i urinated

I looked down but did not see any ulcers or sores, more of a rawish rash that was kind of rough and sensitive to the touch

It went away on its own in a few days

Because of this incident i started to be extremely paranoid about my hsv test results

I convince my doctor to get a type specific hsv test to calm my nerves

I did it and.. it came back positive for both.. i was devastated.. it was an igg test but there was no numbers

The same “rash/cut” has come back a few times, lets say 5-6 times in the course of 8 years and its aways same symptoms, looks like a cut, sticks to my underwear, painful to touch or rub, no sores or lesions, unless they are so small i cant see them, but honestly i have spent hours on end looking down there and i cannot recall ever seeing an actual sore

I am very concerned that i might have herpes type2

I would like your input on this

Do my symptoms resemble herpes outbreak?

Should i do a western blot or wait and get a swab next time this happens?

Considering my positive igg test and symptoms do you think i have herpes?

Thank you so much for your time

[Concerned2023]

Sorry terri i forgot to mention that the rash/cut is fairly tiny (looks like paper cut)
Hope this helps

[Terri Warren]

You could do a couple of different things. You could wait until the rash comes back and have a swab test done of the rash or you could do a western blot. IgG tests without index values are really tough.
Yes, it is possible that this rash is HSV but without a swab test or western blot, its difficult to know. But you need an accurate diagnosis, for sure.

Terri

[Concerned2023]

Thank you for your reply!

A few more questions

Is there a reason i do not an a score to the test? This was done a very long time ago. Is it common? Are they accurate tests? Ive read alot of the questions on this forum and most people have a score to fall on and i did not. I live in Canada if this helps

I will definetely try to do a swab next time. My only concern is that this “cut” if its even a cut is extremely small, myself have a hard time seeing it sometimes and can go away in as little as 2 days sometimes 3 if i pick at it. Is this common with hsv? I believe it needs to “ooze” for a swab to be accurate or am i completely off? The correct test is Pcr right?

Also how can i get the blot? Do you know any clinic or lab in montreal that can help with this?

Do you think repeating an IGG test would be beneficial as well?

Thanks terry!

[Terri Warren]

I work with people in Canada to get the blot all the time. The people at UW can work out shipping you a kit if you get them a shipping label. Then you could have a teleconference with me. I don’t believe the blot is available anywhere in Canada.

Even if the cut is small, it can be swab tested and it should be swabbed on the first day that it appears, ASAP.

I’m not clear that repeating the IgG would be useful for you.

Terri

[Concerned2023]

Ok thanks terri!

Sorry to repeat but if it common to not have a level/score to the igg test? Why do some have and others dont

Also is it common for a hsv rash to leave in as little as 2-3 days?

Thanks!

[Terri Warren]

oh sorry, missed that. It depends on the test ordered. The immunoblot does not give an index value at all. That could be what you had or it could be that the lab that did the test just doesn’t report out the index value. A herpes recurrence could heal that quickly, yes

Terri

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