Constant Itching, Low Positive IGG, Negative Western Blot. Next Steps?

[bend2020]

Hi Terri,

Back in August I slept with a woman who disclosed to me she has ghsv1. Two weeks later I began experiencing itching all over my body (neck, elbows, chest, lower legs ect…) but particularly intense on my butt and inner thighs. After further discussion with the woman I slept with she said she actually wasn’t sure if she had hsv 1 or 2.

I went to the doctor to discuss the itching, she thought it was anxiety and told me to come back if I developed a rash or the itching didn’t resolve. Within a week or two the itching resolved and I never developed a rash.

In late November the itching came back, this time more intense. Still all over my body but particularly intense on the butt and also my eyes. I got an IGG test which came back 1.16 for HSV 2 and 7.34 for HSV 1. I then got a western blot that came back negative for both HSV 1 and 2. While waiting for the western blot results I did a 10 day course of valtrex (1000mg twice daily) which had no effect on the itching. I still have had no clear visible symptoms despite checking often. At one point I had some barley noticeable redness on my penis that lasted about 12 hours. I have been constantly itchy for about a month and a half at this point.

I am now unsure about my status. Should I get more testing done? Is this type of persistent itch without a rash indicative of HSV? Are there other STI’s that could cause this type of itch? Thanks

[Terri Warren]

Your type of itching is NOT indicative of herpes, no. I’m glad you got the western blot to know that you do not have HSV 2. 10 days of Valtrex would not impact your western blot results, no. I am assuming you’ve been evaluated for scabies? Also, it could be something fungal. Herpes infections, either oral or genital, do not induce full-body itching

Terri

[bend2020]

Thanks Terri. I have not been evaluated for scabies or fungal infection. I will see the doctor again soon to follow up on these possibilities. My Doctor thought that my itchiness was most likely related to me anxiety about possibly being HSV 2 positive. I do have a previous history of stress related itching, although it manifested quite differently then.

When a follow up Western Blot is negative after a positive IGG do you typically do more testing to confirm? Or should I trust the Western Blot as it is more accurate?

[Terri Warren]

That’s possible also.
And I definitely do believe the western blot – no need to do any further confirmation after that is negative IF the person has waited 12 weeks from a concerning encounter to test AND has not taken an extended course of antivirals.

Terri

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