Exposure and conflicting blood results

[Confusedblossom]

I have a negative Elisa EIA non specific type blood test done at 10 and 6 months post exposure. They both came back negative….no quantitative score was given.

I decided to do a specific type blood test at 7.5 months as I was told I would get a numerical value but I wasn’t. This was an immunoblot test that came back positive for hsv1. At the time I was fighting a mono infection.

I decided to do an elisa blood test again for consistency of blood tests as I assume I seroconverted between 6 and 7.5 months. This test came back negative at 10 months post exposure.

I believe I have oral and genital ghsv1 contracted at the same time from a sexual encounter. I get no lesions orally or genitally and anything that looks like a pimple etc I get it swabbed and comes back negative. I do have however Erie pain in my vulvar and anal area that waxes and whines. Feels like burning most of the time. This has been on going for 10 months. I also have numbness and pain and or pins and needles in face and inside mouth for same period. I was also diagnosed win post viral syndrome from what virus I am assuming hsv1.

I assume I have to do a western blot. I am in canada.

Does this sound like herpes? I can’t imagine my elisa 3 negatives are in the 10%range of false negatives on 3 separate occasions. My only confusion is that maybe my strain of hsv1 does not have the protein that elisa tests for. Does that make sense?

Any thoughts are appreciated!

[Confusedblossom]

Sorry should read first line 10 weeks…

[Terri Warren]

Yes, I would recommend the western blot as you suspected. My experience is that once a person fails to have an infection picked up by the ELISA (but is picked up by the western blot), they miss getting it picked up by the ELISA every time they test.

It really doesn’t sound like herpes to me with no lesions. Have you talked with your regular provider much about this tingling and numbness? If not, I think you should, separate from herpes concerns

I am not a fan of the immunoblot, actually. We used to use it in our clinic, but I found it difficult to read in some cases and it did not sort out low positives that might have been false positives. Please arrange to get the blot to help you clarify what is really going on here.

You’ve got two more questions/posts here, so don’t hesitate to ask me if you need clarification on anything.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Thank you kindly.

I have seen a gynaecologist who told me to go to a neurologist. Saw a neurologist who told me to go to a gynaecologist. MRI negative for MS

Infectious disease specialist couldn’t offer me any help todsy but did refer me to a vulvar clinic. Earliest appt is April 8th.

I would like to do a western blot and will arrange with your clinic. I assume I will call to arrange.

Only problem is I won’t know if it’s an old infection or new as my other tests did not give me numerical results. Basically it’s been almost a year since exposure so if this is a new or old infection, I assume my antibody levels would be similar as I have had no new exposures during this time.

So with a negative western blot, I will clearly believe I am negative.

However, with a positive, what will be my next step bc hsv1 can be anywhere? Do you also do PCR swab test kit so I can do it at home.

I don’t know what’s going on with my body…I am scared and I feel contagious all the time bc I have constant symptoms with varying degrees of pain on different days.

Have you ever heard of herpes causing nerve pain permanently genitally? I know there are no medical studies that support this claim but in your many years of experience…have you ever heard of this from one of your patients? I think the correct term is vulvodynia or sthng like post heretic neuralgia.

Again, so happy you could be a great resource in this stressful time. I have been on a quest for a year and I am no closer to any answers

[Terri Warren]

Yes, a negative western blot would mean you are not infected. I would trust that hands down over the Immunoblot
No, the testing won’t help you know when you were infected (if you are positive), only that you are nor will it tell you where you are infected. I take it you have never in your life had a cold sore on your lip or in your nose?
I have not seen genital herpes cause permanent nerve damage, no.
Let’s take one thing at a time and rule out or rule in herpes. If you are HSV 1 positive by WB we can consider daily home PCR swabs. Yes, we offer that.
Glad you ruled out MS, that worried me but didn’t want to alarm you

You’ve got more one more question, just in case.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

No worries about alarming….honestly, I would have preferred knowing this was sthng vs still having uncertainty. I like people telling it to me straight so I appreciate your frankness and wealth of knowledge.

So I will call to do a western blot. I must come to thrust bc it isn’t offered in Canada

Last question and then I will pay for more should I need.

Does this sound like a primary genital outbreak to you?

During intercourse we my new partner (5th time we had sex), I felt burning inside my vagina during sex. Never felt that sensation before. I couldn’t continue sexes it was not pain but kind of like carpet bunt inside. Anyway I also had lower abdominal pain during sex I thought maybe it was from tensing my muscles and such needless to say we stopped during. I went to walk in right away and had him look internally and externally….he said everything looked good. Not herpes. The next day I had vaginal swelling and still felt burning. Noticed yellow watery discharge.never had that before. Went in to another walk in following day to get checked again. Looked internally and externally and no lesions. Not herpes. Later that day it burned while I peed and went to get checked again as I had a uti. I also was tested for yeast negative and bacterial vaginosis. There was bacteria detected internally it’ll. did not classify it as bv. Took antibiotics burning pee went away. Still pain in vagina sometimes sharpshooting pain and sometimes just. Burning

Keptgettingchecked and no typical lesions seen. Had white fluid filled pimples things on labia tested with thick white discharge that dr said wasn’t hermetic and was. Swabbed negative. Even swabbed the yellowish watery discharge. Negative.

Then had excricating leg pain a week leg w abdominal cramps and discharge. Negative swabs again. No sexual activity

Thenhadextreme bowel,ovements and felt lots of tiny fissures and hemmrpids. Dr wouldn’t swab.

I just don’t get it sounds like classic herpes without lesions. It is possible isn’t it?

My ex partner refuses to get tested and I have no contact with him anymore so I am afraid I am left to figure this out on my own

Took valtrex and did not stop ur I get and extreme pain in vagina and legs (took,eds for 2.5 months)

Excuse typos.

Thank you.

[Confusedblossom]

God so many typos. Apologies. Hope u get the jist.

Anyway been tested for all other stds multiple times all negative.

[Terri Warren]

It’s difficult to hazard a guess about this being a first infection. You saw quite a few providers and I would think it likely if you had herpes, at least one person might have suggested a swab test but it doesn’t sound like they think it was. is it possible? yes. It is likely? no.

I think only the western blot will give us the clear answer that we need now.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Ok will Call to arrange western blot.

Never had a cold sore in my life,no.

All providers say o. It oops exam tell me what it is.

Thank you I will arrange western lot and we can take it from there.

[Confusedblossom]

Oh also I am making a special trip down to USA to do the blood test as I don’t believe it is offered in Canada. If I wait for blood results which is one to two weeks and then it’s positive then I will have to make a special trip down again to get the swabs. Anyway to avoid this?

[Terri Warren]

We can mail swabs.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Ok great. Thank you.

[Confusedblossom]

I just purchased 3 additional follow up questions….best money I ever spent in this ridiculous saga.

Ok. Let’s assume for argument sake I have oral and genital hsv1 with no lesions.

When I feel prodome (eg hip pain or leg numbness or vaginal burning etc) if I get no lesions, where am I contagious? Am I contagious in the entire boxer short region I.e my thighs, my bum, or just my vagina? I am confused.

What if I get sores inside my vagina….do condoms then protect my partner or does vaginal fluid carry the virus too? I heard somewhere that thick skin will not shed the virus. Only sores on thick skin will shed it…is that true?

I apologize if my questions are annoying…..I just can’t imagine this is anything but herpes. I am sure you have heard that a million times.

I have children as well so I am a bit more nervous.

Thanks again

[Terri Warren]

Your questions are not annoying – that’s what I’m doing here!
Viral shedding only occurs from the genital area – not the thick skin of the thighs, buttocks or abdomen.
Most people don’t actually get sores inside their vagina, they get them on the labia or around the anus, but shedding can also occur from the cervix, which you cannot see. But remember that HSV 1 infection genitally recurs infrequently and sheds infrequently. And when you add suppression, that number goes even lower. I think the risk is really low. And your children are definitely not at any risk from you.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Thank you.

My second question is about sexual partners. Can you please let me know if my logic is right here?

If in the future I have a sexual partner and….(of course assuming I have oral and genital hsv1 with no classic lesions)

1) he has oral hsv1, there is a chance he could get genital hsv1 from me but odds are low….do we know how low?
2) he is negative for both oral and genital hsv1 he can get both from me
3) he has genital hsv2, he can’t get oral or genital hsv1 from me as his hsv2 protects him 100% but I can get oral and genital hsv2 from him (realizing oral hsv2 is extremely rare)

Again, so glad to be here and receiving your responses.

[Terri Warren]

1). Extremely low. I have seen it once maybe is 32 years of practice
2). Technically yes
3). Correct

You got it right!!

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Yay! There must be a prize for sthng like this. Lol.

Ok this question is anxiety driven….and a pick your brain question. I know I can’t stop my life waiting for a cure but I want to Hope it will come sooner than later. I feel a great deal of responsibility having a virus like this and don’t know how I will be able to enjoy sex emotionally again.

Are there any potential vaccines or new drugs to assist herpes sufferers with either a cure or a medical cure or at least reducing transmission rates not including conventional antivirals and condoms? Anything you are excited about? When do u realistically think it will come to market (how many years).

Many thanks again!

[Terri Warren]

Yes, there are several things to be excited about! There are three therapeutic vaccines trials ongoing, vaccines to treat people with herpes. And there is also a better oral antiviral medicine out there that needs to get some kinks out before it could be used in the US. I’m thinking maybe four to five years for one of the therapeutic vaccines if it continues to demonstrate success – that’s a big if always, but I am hopeful.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Bought two more questions…..

I have to make travel arrangements for western blot. I would like to know which states do not perform these tests so I can plan my travel and ensure I am picking a state where the airfare is cheapest.

Someone told me there was 7 states that do not perform western blot, one including New York. Could you please name the others?

As well how much does the test cost and are there additional lab costs? Just trying to get a ball park figure.

Thank you kindly.

[Confusedblossom]

And sorry how many days from when I schedule with your clinic to when the blood test is available at the lab?

[Terri Warren]

Can you get your blood drawn there and send it to my clinic? We can get that processed for you for western blot. What do you think?
What city do you live in, if you can’t send it to me? I can give you the closest acceptable city. I don’t have the states with me, but I know New York, Pennsylvania and Florida are in there.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Sorry I misunderstood your post.

That’s odd, a friend of mine is in Florida and he said he did the western blot through your clinic a few months ago.

I would have preferred Florida.

I could do Raleigh North Carolina, or savannah Georgia or anywhere in southern Georgia so I can drive up from Florida perhaps.

[Confusedblossom]

Oh I think u meant here vs there…here meaning Portland Oregon.

If Florida isn’t an option then yes, I can come to your clinic….it’s probably easiest that way I think.

I will check flights etc….

Thank you kindly. I will call when I have flight arrangements booked as I am going to search to see the cheapest flights.

[Confusedblossom]

checked with my friend in Miami Florida he said he did a western blot thru ur clinic a few months back

I would prefer Florida as the flights are way cheaper and shorter for me than to go to Portland Oregon

I have a friend near Clearwater Florida I can stay with

I will call the clinic tomorrow to arrange

thank you for your help you have answered my questions and I feel a bit better about everything

last question I paid for is:

how likely is it that someone shows negative on Elisa that they are positive on western blot does this happen often just wondering what my odds are in getting a positive result . this is probably an impossible question to answer but thought I would try

thanks again

[Terri Warren]

Did you say you are in Canada? I can find you places far closer to Canada than Florida if you tell me the province at least that you live in. Yes, Quest labs is starting to be very careful about sending labs out of state for residents of those states and Florida is one of them. Sometimes it can slip through (like your friend) but I would hate to have you fly all the way to Florida only to be rejected!

Terri

[Terri Warren]

Sure, we can do any of those places. To accomplish this, you need to call the clinic and set up a phone consultation during which time we can settle on a location and tell you all that is involved and become our patient officially. You can tell the front desk that you need a phone consult to set up a western blot.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Thank you Terri, I will call soon as soon as I figure the city.

With all the posts I think you missed my question as to the probability I will be positive in western blot when I have negative elisa and a positive immunoblot.

Sorry, my fault, my thoughts were disjointed on the posts….lots to coordinate for me.

[Terri Warren]

I would trust the ELISA over the Immunoblot but I have no data on how these results compare to western blot results.
Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Ok so western blot thru ur clinic came back positive hsv 1 as I suspected it would.

So I still don’t know where and when I contracted it technically but I believe I have oral hsv1 and ghsv1 contracted at the same encounter. So I am extremely atypical I believe as I have no typical lesions and a lot of nerve pain and tingling and numbness…almost constant for a year. Seems to have subsided mostly now…I also had post viral syndrome from this infection so hard to say what symptom was from post viral syndrome and what from hsv1….I honestly believe it has disseminated in me but could be the post viral syndrome.

I have had eczema most of my life that appears as bumps…never had foliculitis but seems to be happening now unless it’s herpes but no fluid in anything below the waist…just red small bumps not in clusters with no red base. On thighs, tailbone area, bum. I also noticed a tiny cut one half inch below my belly button.

My oral symptoms include yellow crusted pimple behind left ear with a lot of numbness and tingling. I also appear to have sores in my scalp. Now it could be eczema but I highly doubt it as all these issues started at the same time.

So my question:

1) can I get take home pcr swabs mailed to canada…..is this a difficult process? It’s too hard to convince drs here to swab for anything atypical and also I have never had anyone swab internally in my cervix area although I have had examinations that have showed no lesions.

2). If it is disseminated, how risky am I with no fluid filled lesions if these tiny bumps are herpetic?

3) have u seen people get cut type sores on their abdomen or on thick skin rather than mucous membranes?

4) if u don’t shed from thick skin…u told me in a previous post but get sores on thick skinned areas…I don’t get it?

5) I had an encounter w ghsv2 male recently….we both were fooling around (no penetrative sex) I gave him a he and he ejaculated on my tummy….can e virus live in semen. His ob are on his testicles and he is taking aclivor….how much risk do I have here. We were kind of consoling eachother and we got carried away. I thought we were pretty safe and now I am worried about the semen….ugh.

Again, thank u for ur reply…..this question forum is a godsend and it is a wonderful service u are providing which helps ease anxiety and also keeps people informed which can also decrease the spread of the virus.

[Terri Warren]

1) can I get take home pcr swabs mailed to canada…..is this a difficult process? It’s too hard to convince drs here to swab for anything atypical and also I have never had anyone swab internally in my cervix area although I have had examinations that have showed no lesions.

We can mail swabs to Canada as far as I know without an issue. You can certainly gather swabs and ship them back to us. I’m not aware of limitations with shipping from Canada once you have collected them.

2). If it is disseminated, how risky am I with no fluid filled lesions if these tiny bumps are herpetic?

I do not believe at all that you have disseminated herpes. In 32 years I have never seen this in an adult. I have seen a person who had lesions on his finger on his forehead and on his penis though. These bumps do not sound herpetic to me but you could swab them to be certain if you wish.

3) have u seen people get cut type sores on their abdomen or on thick skin rather than mucous membranes?

Yes, I have definitely seen people get sores on their abdomen and thicker skin like buttocks

4) if u don’t shed from thick skin…u told me in a previous post but get sores on thick skinned areas…I don’t get it?

I guess I wasn’t clear that you don’t shed without symptoms on thick skinned areas. But obviously you do shed virus from lesions that are present there.

5) I had an encounter w ghsv2 male recently….we both were fooling around (no penetrative sex) I gave him a he and he ejaculated on my tummy….can e virus live in semen. His ob are on his testicles and he is taking aclivor….how much risk do I have here. We were kind of consoling eachother and we got carried away. I thought we were pretty safe and now I am worried about the semen….ugh.

A very large study out of UW showed semen is an extremely poor carrier of virus. And your tummy skin is thick anyway so I don’t believe that this encounter presented any risk of HSV 2 acquisition to you.

You have a two more question to post.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Thank u Terri….just to clarify,

cut type sores not just fluid filled sores are seen on thick skinned areas, correct?

U can shed with symptoms and no lesions on thick skinned areas, correct?

If I don’t have any visible lesions, where do I assume I shed from genitally?

And orally, if I get symptoms with no lesions, where do I assume I shed from? If I get a sore behind the ear, am I contagious on my lip?

Thanks again, I will range pcr swabs

[Terri Warren]

No, we don’t normally see cut like sores on thick skin. They are mostly blisters. Cut like sores are mostly seen on very thin genital skin.
You can shed with lesions on thick skin but not without lesions on thick skin. The skin is too thick for virus to come to the surface of the skin and get off the nerve ending.
If you have no lesions, virus can be shed from anywhere in the genital or anal area.
If you have a herpes sores behind your ear, you could be shedding from your mouth, yes. Asymptomatic shedding can occur both from the oral and genital areas if both are infected.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Happy New Year’s Eve

A few more questions and then I will make another phone consult and order the swabs….

1) when would u suggest I swab my genital area and where? If I feel pro dome, if I am a symptomatic?

2). How do I swab non fluid filled bumps? Just on the skin? Or do I have to scrape the skin? How easy is it to pick up the virus from non fluid filled bumps? If it says negative should I believe it? Do non fluid filled bumps make unless contagious than fluid filled ones?

3). All my swabs have come back negative that I have done although they are culture swabs and not pcr swabs, would a clear watery yellow discharge be a symptom of primary ghsv1? And if it was swabbed within 24 hrs, why would it come back negative?

4). In ur experience, how rare is a primary ghsv1 with no lesions? I had vaginal swelling and cervix looked fine but they didn’t swab internally, if my cervix was infected, how soon would it look infected with either internal lesions or any other indications after the first initial symptom like a swollen vagina? I had it looked within hrs of any pain and then 48 hours later….is this snuff? Would lesions show up by then?

5). How soon do lesions appear after a primary ghsv1 ob?

6). Are lesions always yellow clear filled blisters or cuts? Are there are white filled ones?

I appreciate ur patience, this is all so very atypical for me….no lesions, everything swabbed negative, Elisa always negative despite western blot positive, constant nerve pain and burning for a year which has now subsided , bumps non fluid filled, vaulters doesn’t work, I just feel like a total freak.

[Terri Warren]

1) when would u suggest I swab my genital area and where? If I feel pro dome, if I am a symptomatic?

Since we don’t know where you are infected and HSV 1 is infrequently shed, you could swab your genitals for a long time without recovering anything. But if you do do genital swabbing, without any symptoms at all, I would swab the entire labia area, the inside of the vagina and around the rectum. My thought here however was for you to swab the lesions that you are describing to see if they are herpes.

2). How do I swab non fluid filled bumps? Just on the skin? Or do I have to scrape the skin? How easy is it to pick up the virus from non fluid filled bumps? If it says negative should I believe it? Do non fluid filled bumps make unless contagious than fluid filled ones? If you have bumps, fluid filled or otherwise, you should swab aggressively over the top of the bump. If it breaks the skin that’s OK. I would guess that blisters are more contagious than non-blisters.

3). All my swabs have come back negative that I have done although they are culture swabs and not pcr swabs, would a clear watery yellow discharge be a symptom of primary ghsv1? And if it was swabbed within 24 hrs, why would it come back negative?

A clear discharge could be a symptom of genital herpes new infection, yes. It may or may not come back negative if swabbed within 24 hours if it was a culture, but more likely it would be positive.

4). In ur experience, how rare is a primary ghsv1 with no lesions? I had vaginal swelling and cervix looked fine but they didn’t swab internally, if my cervix was infected, how soon would it look infected with either internal lesions or any other indications after the first initial symptom like a swollen vagina? I had it looked within hrs of any pain and then 48 hours later….is this snuff? Would lesions show up by then?

A swollen vagina with no lesions is not typical of primary HSV 1, no. Most primary genital herpes type 1 that I have seen does present with symptoms. Lesions normally appear with in 2-10 days for primary infection.

Don’t forget that your infection may well be oral not genital. If you get oral lesions, they should be swabbed

If I am counting correctly, I believe we are once again out of questions for this round. Let me know if that is incorrect.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

thank you Terri….you are correct; just purchased 3 additional ones.

my primary infection or at least what I think was my primary oral hsv1 consisted of swollen lips after 45 minutes of passionate kissing with partner 1 ( never had any kind of sex with him). I suspect the swelling was from the make out session but either way I had 3 tiny mosquito type bumps on my loser lip, no fluid at all….same colour as my lip…dr didn’t swab….gave me valtrex and antihistamine and it went away within 36 hours took both meds….had numbness tip of tongue, tip of roof of mouth, tip of chin…minor for 4 days then went away…went to dr w numbness (different one) after day 4, she saw nothing in my mouth, assumed issue was from kissing

that evening on day 4 of suspected primary oral hsv1, partner 2 kissed me and performed oral sex on me, I performed oral sex on him as well. the hsv status of both of these partners is u known even to this day.

next day and for 5 days later felt extremely tired minor lymph nose swelling and that’s it

on day 13 from oral sex encounter, was having intercourse with partner 2 and that’s when I had my suspected genital primary hsv 1 infection (please see above for details)

ugh ok questions
1) does that sound like a primary oral ob?
2) if it was, it must mean the virus was In my saliva and partner 2 went down on me after kissing me and transferred virus….is it possible for iris to be I saliva with no sores?
3) I have never had a typical cold sore never had a positive swab orally
4) I just have numbness I chin and along to ear sometimes on cheeks and nose but no lesions…sometimes red areas but I also have eczema
5) is 13 days too long for primary ghsv1 from exposure?
6) is it possible to have no lesions In primary ghsv1 and just have clear discharge watery and swollen vagina?
7) in primary ghsv1, dr checked internally and externally at time I experienced pain and swelling and discharge and saw nothing on day 1 and day 3, could lesions internally appear on day 4 from onset of primary, not from exposure? is that too long to get lesions from primary
8) in your opinion, partner 2 who kissed me and performed oral sex on me and apparently rubbed the virus from my saliva into my vagina….does it make sense he would never contract it orally? he never had any kind of ob and if the same activity gave me ghsv1, wouldn’t it give him oral hsv1….I am trying to figure out of he was the giver.
9) I understand it is possible he didn’t get ghsv1 from my primary bc mens penis have thicker skin and perhaps be also didn’t get ghsv1 from oral sex from my primary oral hsv1, but wouldn’t it be easy for him to catch it orally? the same activity gave it to me genitally wouldn’t it give it to him orally unless he had it already?

anyway I don’t know if you can follow my rationale..::I really don’t blame him if he infected me….it happens…he didn’t know….consequence of having sex….I just find it perplexing and I just want to know the odds

10) final question, all my genital sores were never considered herpes by many dr and all swabbed negative but I had prodome and excruciating nerve pain in vaginql and anal area along with legs etc …one lesion I experienced a quick 3 sec tingle before appearing of which was In perenium area dr saw said looked like 2 tiny circular non herpetic lesions like barbell looking with thick white jelly like fluid. swabbed negative within 24 hours of appearing
does this sound like a herpes sore

11) other ones were about same area but were 3 white filled lesions with no red base on perenium area dr didn’t think was herpes at all swabbed negative
does this sound like herpes

12) what exactly do atypical herpes sores look like

ordering the pcr take home swabs tomorrow

thank u kindly

[Terri Warren]

1) does that sound like a primary oral ob?
NO
2) if it was, it must mean the virus was In my saliva and partner 2 went down on me after kissing me and transferred virus….is it possible for iris to be I saliva with no sores?
Yes, it is possible. Did that happen? I don’t know
3) I have never had a typical cold sore never had a positive swab orally
OK
4) I just have numbness I chin and along to ear sometimes on cheeks and nose but no lesions…sometimes red areas but I also have eczema
I can’t say if that is associated with oral herpes or not
5) is 13 days too long for primary ghsv1 from exposure?

It’s pretty long, yes, I have rarely seen anyone show up with a true primary more than 10 days later.

6) is it possible to have no lesions In primary ghsv1 and just have clear discharge watery and swollen vagina?
It’s definitely possible but unlikely

7) in primary ghsv1, dr checked internally and externally at time I experienced pain and swelling and discharge and saw nothing on day 1 and day 3, could lesions internally appear on day 4 from onset of primary, not from exposure? is that too long to get lesions from primary
Four days away from infection is not too long, no

8) in your opinion, partner 2 who kissed me and performed oral sex on me and apparently rubbed the virus from my saliva into my vagina….does it make sense he would never contract it orally? he never had any kind of ob and if the same activity gave me ghsv1, wouldn’t it give him oral hsv1….I am trying to figure out of he was the giver.

No I don’t think that makes much sense.

9) I understand it is possible he didn’t get ghsv1 from my primary bc mens penis have thicker skin and perhaps be also didn’t get ghsv1 from oral sex from my primary oral hsv1, but wouldn’t it be easy for him to catch it orally? the same activity gave it to me genitally wouldn’t it give it to him orally unless he had it already?

The penis skin is not much thicker so that is an error in thinking about this. I doubt that this scenario happened at all.

anyway I don’t know if you can follow my rationale..::I really don’t blame him if he infected me….it happens…he didn’t know….consequence of having sex….I just find it perplexing and I just want to know the odds

10) final question, all my genital sores were never considered herpes by many dr and all swabbed negative but I had prodome and excruciating nerve pain in vaginql and anal area along with legs etc …one lesion I experienced a quick 3 sec tingle before appearing of which was In perenium area dr saw said looked like 2 tiny circular non herpetic lesions like barbell looking with thick white jelly like fluid. swabbed negative within 24 hours of appearing
does this sound like a herpes sore

No

11) other ones were about same area but were 3 white filled lesions with no red base on perenium area dr didn’t think was herpes at all swabbed negative
does this sound like herpes

No

12) what exactly do atypical herpes sores look like

Because they are described as atypical, they can look like anything – a skin split, a raw area, a red raised area, many things.

Honestly, without a more definitive lesion, I don’t think you can know if your infected is oral or genital You are trying so hard to figure this out but really, you can’t. You will have to wait for a more specific lesion to test, either orally or genitally.

Terri

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Thank u for your expertise…sorry this is annoying….I am trying to figure it out

How do I proceed sexually? Do I disclose I have Oral or genital or both? Do I just take antiviral sand use condoms just in case.

I don’t get typical lesions….ever…it’s been a year….so I CPR the bumps they come back negative…doesn’t mean I don’t have ghsv1?

What do u recommend I do?

[Terri Warren]

I think sexually I would advise that if you get a new sex partner you let them you know you have the cold sore virus – HSV 1- that 56% of the population between 14 and 49 have. You only know that you have the antibody to the virus – you don’t know if your infection is oral or genital. I would strongly suggest that your new partners be tested, not only to determine their HSV 1 status compared to you but also to know if they are HSV 2 positive and don’t know it. Eighty percent of those infected with HSV 2 don’t know it.

If you want to specific find out if a bump is herpes, then you can do the PCR swab, yes, do sort out that particular bump which might let you know if you get a similar bump in the future, whether it is herpes or not, right?

You know, in the ’60s, probably close to 90% of the US had HSV 1 and no one ever gave it a second thought. It caused cold sore, everybody had them. Now, because we recognize that cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus, a close question of genital herpes, it has taken on all this meaning and stigma. I would strongly encourage you to not buy into this very emotional response to a pretty benign virus (at least for adults – HSV 1 for the newborn can be devastating but is easily preventable). Think with you head about this, not your emotions if possible.

The likelihood that a new partner will also have this is high. If that is the case, it will be a non-issue.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Thanks Terri

I would just hate to give this to someone genitally

[Terri Warren]

I understand that.
Remember that genital HSV 1, if someone acquires it, may never recur at all.
This virus is so common. I believe you are doing the best you can.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Thank you for your support….I really am but somehow I feel it’s not enough…

Anyway, I am working on it….

Last question….do u think I should blood test for hsv2 based on my exposure with the hsv2 positive male posted on dec 30th at 5:00 point 5

Thank u again….u have been most hopeful

[Terri Warren]

NO! The kind of experience you had does not put you at risk of acquiring his HSV 2 infection.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Hi Terri

It’s been a while

I kind of forgot about things for a while and assumed I would likely never show typical h grnitally or orally

To add confusion to the matter I have developed an oral fungal infection from dry mouth due to te antidepressants I am taking. Got meds for it but hasn’t gone away. Trying a second round now we will see.

I guess there is no tmi but I found a pimple like thing on my labia minora at the base on the inside I actually have to open my area to see it. Looks like a few tiny pimples filled with yellowy white fluid. Not clear more puss like. I have had them there before. On 2 occasions I hve seabed them and they came back negative done by viral culture. We don’t have pcr here in Canada unless for meningitis or neonatal h at hospitals. Both doctors said didn’t look like h and one said I prove it w wouldn’t wear gloves. Of course I insisted for mine and his benefit. Anyway this time it looks more yellowish than whitish.

It’s kind of at a place where discharge would collect.
H
So I am panicking again and will go tomorrow to do a viral swab again and wait 2 weeks again in this hell. Btw it’s ghsv1 I suspect.

I dunno I don’t want to post a pic bc I can’t get a pic of it myself without including the vaginal area.

I have finally saved up enuff money to purchase pcr swabs from u and do a consult call again.

I dunno I am just at a loss. Felt like hearing ur advice on if u think its h while I wait.

Thanks

[Confusedblossom]

I also masturbated today w a vibrator….could the friction cause an ob less than 12 hours later? Or could it just be irrotation?

I am so tired of this. It’s been over a year now. When do I give up?

[Terri Warren]

I doubt that masturbating with a vibrator is going to cause this reaction.
So you know you have HSV 1, now we are just trying to figure out where you have it. I think PCR swabs sent to you for times when you have symptoms is still the best strategy for finding out if a specific thing is herpes.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Yes I have another phone consult w kids to get the pcr swabs on Monday

I am attaching a pic. Can you please let me know if this looks like h.

It is lower vaginal perenium area. 2 dr said looked bacterial. Swab won’t be back til end of next week.
I tried to hide the private areas to just isolate the sore.

I appreciate ur compassion. As u can imagine this has even a year long quest and it’s been very emotional for many reasons beyond just herpes.
Many thanks

[Confusedblossom]

It’s the yellowy sore in the upper left corner

It has refilled twice when dr pricked it to he a sample of fluid.

[Terri Warren]

This looks like it could be a little cyst to me but you are describing it as a sore. Is it an open sore? Is it painful? How long has it been there? Has it changed over time?

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

It started Thursday night. I felt burning in area then I looked with a mirror and saw that. I went next morning to dr and he swabbed and broke open an squeezed stuff out. He said some blood came out too. He also seabed for trick bacterial vaginitis and yeast and all came back negative today.

I noticed on Sunday after irritation went away it was a little red from the scraping that it had refilled. Looked exactly the same as the other in same place etc. so I was confused and went to walk in and said I don’t know if the other dr swabbed it right or it refilled. He said t looked bacterial. He popped it to swab for bacteria (no results yet)

And I look today Wednesday and it has refilled. I think it’s te exact same sore or cyst or whatever.

It never scans or stays open or looks like a cratery sore. I am still burning a bit in area.

Terri I sincerely appreciate your response.

I am swabbing when I should within required times in oral and genital area. I dunno. I have pain in my genitals that comes and goes either burning or pain but mostly burning and it is never a day thy goes by I don’t have it. Sometimes it’s 1/10 and sometimes 10/10 either in my anus or vagina.

I am seeing a vulva specialist in April. I can’t get there any sooner

Wondering if I am having repetitive prodomes and obs and could I be a total freak and just be totally unlucky.

Anyway I realize this is the Internet…there are limitations but I appreciate your service

I hve had other thins swabbed in this exact area within required time I believe an came back negative. Seems like a place where it’s easy for bacteria to stay.

[Confusedblossom]

Oh when te sore was popped both times it didn’t hurt. I don’t think it’s the sore that hurts itself. The area around sore is tender but not painful and the left labia burns towards area it is.
Thx

[Terri Warren]

Herpes doesn’t normally have yellow stuff in it that can be squeezed out, honestly. I think your doctor would know something by looking at it if he/she was concerned about herpes. It certainly doesn’t look classically like herpes to me.
I’m wondering if your labia is tender because people keep squeezing it and picking at it. A herpes sore might well be tender, but not the area around it.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Many thanks Terri again

I feel a bit better

I likely have a few things going on which is making it difficult to diagnose.

Looking forward to the pcr swabs for some peace of mind.

So I think I hve to pay my subscription again. I lost count but I will pay after I post.

So my new partner has oral hsv1. I disclosed my whole hideous story so he knows everything and e was a support to me even til today going thru this. He is a friend and we have decided to be sexual together but haven’t decided on intercourse as this is a friends w benefits thing vs a we will be together forever thing.

So we want to limit risk as much as possible

So should I take suppressives and use condoms if we decide to have genital sex?

What do you recommend in precautions for people who has ghsv1 with partners with oral hsv1

Thank u

[Terri Warren]

I do not recommend you taking precautions having sex with someone who has a history of cold sores an an HSV 1 positive partner, no.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Ok so if I have ghsv1 and partner has oral hsv1 no percaitions necessary that’s good.

Trying to let that sink in

Ok another annoying question…

So I received oral unprotected sex from a known ghsv2 positive male once. He is unaware of ever havin an oral ob. He was on suppressives at te time but missed one dose 3 days before we had unprotected oral.

He did mention a minor sore throat that perhaps may have contracted at work but I dunno I it was a regular virus or symptom of oral hsv2. So I was stupid bc obviously I am risk adverse but he hve me oral unprotected once.

Should I be concerned in ur opinion? What if contracted oral hsv2 and ghsv2 at the same time.

Anyway last post for a while I realize they are lots of hypothetical questions. I don’t want one mistake to give me another virus as I am still trying to grasp the sv1 after one year!!! Hsv2 will devastate me

[Terri Warren]

If your partner had genital HSV 2 then the odds of you getting it by him giving you oral sex is very low indeed, especially since it was only once. I would not be concerned about that particular encounter.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

From feb 5 at 12:19 post….

Can u please clarify for me the response

If I have oral hsv1 and ghsv1 established and my partner has oral hsv1 established then when I perform oral sex on him or have genital sex with him, you don’t recommend any other precautions besides avoiding sex durin outbreaks to reduce transmission to his genitals. That is you don’t recommend antivirals or condoms to avoid him getting it on his genitals.

Is that correct?

So throwing another scenario, if I know my partner has oral hsv1, then do I have to disclose I have ghsv1 if I so confirm I have it there thru the pcr swabs. Or is it sufficient to say I have hsv1.

I don’t want to alarm partners unnecessarily. I do not get classic lesions. Please provide me with hour opinion.

I am newly divorced and finding it difficult to disclose ghsv1 but will not expose a hsv negative partner as I feel it’s not ethical for him to not know risk. But what if we do blood tests and it both shows hsv1, do I have to go into the story about ghsv1 when transmission risk is next to impossible (or is it?)?

Thank you again.

I have a call with Lisa tallbee Monday.

• This reply was modified 8 years ago by Confusedblossom.

[Terri Warren]

Yes, that is correct.
I think is OK to just say you also have HSV 1 but if this relationship gets more serious, you’ll probably end up telling him anyway.
Lisa went home quite sick today so I hope you can talk with you Monday.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

I hope she feels better.

Anyway I had to reschedule my call anyway so looks like I will be havig a phone consult with you! 🙂

Swab came back negative.

I guess I am getting cysts or pimples in the area as it seems like a sensitive area to collect bacteria etc and where discharge would collect.

Only issue is I think I have that going on as well as ghsv1 so it makes it complicated when trying to figure out when to swab and what’s an ob.

Of course there is the possibility I only have oral hsv1 but I highly doubt that.

Anyway talk soon

[Terri Warren]

OK

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

So you are sending me some pcr swabs which is great

I had some tingling on my face (recently had a cold) and my face flared up. Cheeks on both sides, tip of nose, down to chin was raised and red some little dots like a rash but raised. I do suffer from eczema but I have never had a flare up like this. This looked more rash like and had tingling symptoms.

I put a steroid cream on it betamethasone and it sthng for a bit then brought it down significantly. Redness went away. It comes back once in a while but if I keep up w the cream it goes away for the most part.

So my question is if herpes just showed up as a red base w tiny raised bumps on face, would it go away so quickly w cream? And even if it returned and it was less does it mean it’s eczema then? Is there a potential if its atypical h and only red irritation that this cream would make it go away?

Also, if something swabs negative I.e these bumps I have on other parts of my body that have no fluid, is this negative accurate? Is it harder to get a positive swab w atypical herpes because there is no fluid.

In addition, if it is h and is not detected via swab, I will assume if I follow all necessary protocols like swabbing writhing 24 hour period etc can I then assume if it’s h and of the swab still is negative that the viral load is low and hence is not likely that contagious?

Just trying to prepare myself for worst case

Thank you

[Terri Warren]

Generally speaking, steroids make herpes worse because steroids take away the cellular immune response which is necessary to control herpes. I have had excellent success getting herpes swabbed from very minimal presentations, even without fluid. The rest of question made no sense to me, sorry. Perhaps you can clarify.

Terri

[Confusedblossom]

Thank you

I just want to know how reliable pcr swabs are.

That is if it swabs negative can I truly believe it’s negative or is the alternative belief it still could be positive but pcr didn’t pick it up bc no fluid in “sore” and atypical presentations are very difficult to detect h

Basically if it’s negative is it really negative?

[Confusedblossom]

U said u have excellent success so I guess that answers my question

And an aggressive swab over area is fine to pick up h. Do I have to scrape the “sore” or papule off would that be better?

[Terri Warren]

getting to the base of any lesion would be helpful, yes.

Terri

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