Do I have genital herpes?

[stillconfused121]

Had 3 different oral sex partners and 2 intercourse partners. With intercourse, we used condoms for protection. I had sex two times (once per partner i.e. one night stands). This all happened June-August 2014. I have not had sex (oral or otherwise) since then.

Fall of 2014, my full STD results came back and I was cleared for everything except HSV 1 & 2. I’ve had sores on my tongue and inside my mouth when I was a kid so I can understand how I had HSV 1. My numbers for HSV 2 were very low even though I re-tested 2 more times. I found my numbers from the first two exams were greater than 1 but less than 2. I didn’t ask for the numbers of my third test. One of my intercourse partners got tested and told me he was clean.

My doctor said it was positive, and told me that I did not need a Western Blot test. I went ahead and got one anyways. The Western Blot test said I am positive for HSV1 and negative for HSV2.

With this whole trial, I am confused about my own body.

Now, I am trying to determine if I have genital herpes (either with HSV1 or HSV2). I have had no symptoms except for intense itching (which could be a sign of anything). Last month, I found a bump on my perineum. It was, as you can imagine, hard to tell and, being on vacation, I could not see a doctor. The bump had a white top that I accidentally popped and it bled a little. The bump then was flesh colored and sore for 1-2 days then it disappeared before I could get it looked at.

In my opinion, the bump was a zit and the itching was because of tampons/ shaving/ and uncomfortable underwear. But I know I can be wrong.

In your professional opinion: Do I go with what my doctor said or the Western blot test? Do I have genital herpes?

[Terri Warren]

You definitely go with the western blot!!
Many physicians are not yet up on the literature about the problem with low positive HSV 2 results. Half of all people who test between 1.1 and 3.5 are false positives. This topic is even covered in the latest CDC STD treatment guidelines – I would refer your doctor to that reference if he is still saying you don’t need the western blot. And good for you for pursuing that. So you don’t have HSV 2. As far as your HSV 1 infection goes, if you have never had a cold sore on your lip (not a canker sore in the mouth), we don’t know where your HSV 1 infection is – oral or genital The bump you describe does sound like a pimple to me, but if you get lesions either orally (including inside your nose) or genitally (anywhere in the boxer shorts area) you should have them swab tested for herpes to try to sort out where your HSV 1 infection is in your body.

Terri

[stillconfused121]

Terri,

If I ever get a bump down there again, I will most definitely go to the doc.

I’ve had sores inside of my mouth that look like the picture below which makes me think I have oral herpes. I got the pic from http://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/1101/p1075.html

Given the fact that I’ve only been exposed to two partners that potentally have HSV – 1 and have only had intercourse 2 times, I honestly think that I have HSV -1 orally since childhood. I feel like it is statistically improbable that I have contacted it through protected intercourse.

But you are the expert, what do you say?

[Terri Warren]

those look like canker sores to me but when they are just on the inside of the lip, as in the second picture they are herpes about 50% of the time.

I agree with you assessment – more likely oral than genital.
Terri

[stillconfused121]

I ALWAYS get them on the inside of my lips and they hurt like a b…

Finally, after A WHOLE YEAR of confusion and sadness, I can say that this trial is over. I have oral herpes.

Thank you.

[Terri Warren]

You are welcome.

Terri

[Author]

Posts