› Forums › Herpes Questions › Confusing results and diagnosis
- This topic has 11 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 3 months ago by Terri Warren.
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September 17, 2015 at 7:31 pm #9462JadedpixieSpectator
Hi Terri. 13 days past exposure I had a bump on my labia minora which became an ulcer (kissing ulcer) with some yellow pus the next day. Immediately i went to my gynae who first diagnosed it as herpes, gave me antivirals and took a PCR swab (it was within 48 hours from first ulcer) which came back negative for HSV 1 & 2.
The ulcers became huge bleeding ulcers with pus on both side of my labia minora within days. The ulcers were so huge and badly infected, my labia minora was swollen. My gynae suspected it was chancroid and gave treatment (a jab). I too may have Bacteria Vaginosis from the yellow discharge (they couldn’t do a cervical swab as my vagina was in excruciating pain) which I saw a dermatologist who gave me medication. Swab test done also showed gram positive bacilli. I too had UTI. I was totally healed 4 weeks after my first ulcer after a lot of potassium permanganate sitz bath, metronidazole and unasyn. Both gynae and dermatologist said it may not have been herpes.
What’s confusing is I did (in Malaysia we don’t have type specific blood test) a HSV igg test 23 days past exposure and the results were
Hsv 1: 37.9
Hsv 2: 10.5
Under 9: negative, 9-11: grey area, 11 above: positiveMy question is, do you reckon I indeed had a genital herpes outbreak? Secondly am I able to order a western blot to be shipped to Malaysia?
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September 18, 2015 at 8:36 am #9474Terri WarrenKeymaster
Yes, this does sound like a typical herpes outbreak to me. Sometimes PCR misses an infection – I have certainly seen it happen in my own practice. Have you ever in your life had a cold sore on your lip?
I think if you retest down the road a ways, like 12 weeks from now, I”m guessing your values will be higher.
If you have blood drawn and shipped to us ,we an process the western blot, yes.
Do you know anything about the herpes status of your most recent partner?Terri
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September 18, 2015 at 8:43 am #9477JadedpixieSpectator
Thanks for the prompt reply. No I haven’t had an oral outbreak. No I do not know about my partner status as that person chose to cut all contact once I asked.
Please advice how do we go about getting the western blot. Also do you know how or where can I get a biokit from my location in Malaysia?
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September 18, 2015 at 10:18 am #9490Terri WarrenKeymaster
I don’t know at all how to find a Biokit in Malaysia. If you can get your blood drawn, you can ship it to the clinic and we will have it run for you.
Terri
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September 18, 2015 at 2:10 pm #9511JadedpixieSpectator
Ok noted. May I ask why was my outbreak so severe? I reckon it’s not very normal to have such bad infections? I’m asking as I had such a traumatic experience if I were to have another outbreak I hope it’s not as such
- This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by Jadedpixie.
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September 18, 2015 at 4:42 pm #9526Terri WarrenKeymaster
IF it is herpes and you’ve had no previous herpes infection, then it is normal to have a severe outbreak with first infection. Usually, the first outbreak is the worst. Once your body has an opportunity to build an immune response, future outbreaks are generally much milder.
Terri
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October 9, 2015 at 12:41 am #9968JadedpixieSpectator
Hi Terri
I did another IGG type specific test, 3 months post exposure and I was found negative for HSV2
Results as follow
HSV 1: 19.5 (positive)
HSV 2: 3.5 (negative)
The range in Malaysia test is
Below 9 = Negative
9-11 = Grey zone
11 and above = PositiveCan I trust my second blood test 3 months post exposure to be HSV 2 negative? Could I have Genital HSV 1 instead or it could have been chancroid as my Gynae suspected as my PCR swab was negative for both HSV 1 & 2?
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October 9, 2015 at 1:56 am #9970JadedpixieSpectator
Sorry HSV 2 result 5.9 (negative)
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October 11, 2015 at 8:56 am #9993Terri WarrenKeymaster
Being unfamiliar with the normals range, I’m afraid I can’t help you with knowing exactly how to read this. If this initial outbreak was HSV 2, I would expect to see an increase in the values on the testing. You asked earlier if you could have a western blot shipped to us and you can. We need to talk with you first, but this can be arranged. Had you recently had a new partner, have they been tested? That would be the other way to approach this.
Terri
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October 11, 2015 at 8:20 pm #10011JadedpixieSpectator
Well basically initially my HSV 2 result 3 weeks post exposure was in a grey area nearing positive. However my second test result 3 months post exposure is negative. HSV 1 was positive in both 1st and 2nd test. I need to find out which lab would assist me with a western blot test. My question was would my second test result be trust worthy?
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October 11, 2015 at 8:24 pm #10012JadedpixieSpectator
As I mentioned before I do not know if my partner at that time has HSV as he isn’t cooperative. I just need to know if a test result 3 months post exposure for HSV 2 which turned out negative is trustworthy and if I am likely to have genital HSV 1 since it was positive in both first and second test
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October 13, 2015 at 6:55 am #10026Terri WarrenKeymaster
Hmmm. The problem is the sores. If you had had no sores and these results, I would be somewhat reassured, even though the first one was in the gray area. But you did have sores. And a clinician that thought there were herpes. And you had lots of pain. It is possible that you have HSV 1 genitally, yes. Were you recently the recipient of oral sex? That is the most likely way HSV 1 is transmitted to the genitals.
It could also have been chancroid, yes, in which case, you’re all done with treatment and will be fine. So hard to know!
I’m sorry but I’m not sure how else I can help you here unless you wish to ship us a western blot. If you do decide that you want to do that, please contact Roger at our clinic at the number on this website.
Terri
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