HSV-1 & 2 Concerns – 11 weeks

[PeaceofMindSearching]

Hi Terri,
About 12 weeks ago I had unprotected sex with a new partner. Prior to any interaction I asked about her sexual health and whether she was tested and she said she was fine. About 9 days after, I woke up with what I believed was a minor swollen lip (rarely noticeable). After doing quick research I panicked and went to urgent care. The physician looked at my face and asked if I had a history of cold sores, which I do not. I was skeptical on his assumption as I did not have any blister or rash on my face but an ingrown hair from trimming my mustache a few days before. He swabbed the area and the test came back negative. However, after his visual “diagnosis”I have suffered from severe health anxiety and OCD. I went to multiple doctors and dermatologist for information but none seemed worried that I contracted anything.

I went to get an HSV 2 test on week 5 and 11 and they both came back negative. I got an HSV-1 test on week 8 and 11 and that came back negative.

However, I believe I have been feeling “tingling” on my upper lip that comes and goes. When it happens i monitor it but nothing ever appears. I also experience some ache in my mustache area where the initial ingrown hair was but never any rash.This ache appears after I trim my mustache or constantly think about what that physician said. Around week 6, I developed what I thought was pink eye but went away after a day and read HSV 1 can effect the eye. I went to the eye doctor and nothing alarming was caught. However, I have been dealing with eye issues for a few weeks now and am concerned whether this would be HSV related? I was told it was dry eyes.

I am not sure if the feelings and sensations I have are all mental and anxiety related but would really like some peace of mind.

Would you recommend taking the blood test again for both HSV 1 & 2 if they both were negative around 11 weeks?

Does this sound like Herpes to you or should I put it to rest?

Does it really take 12 weeks for antibodies?

[PeaceofMindSearching]

Hello Terri,

I wanted to add that I experience some mild irritation above my lips in my mustache area usually in the same spot on the left and sometimes the middle. I don’t see any visible rash and never experienced any blistering or scabbing. This feeling comes about almost every other week. I’ve been prescribed clindamycin phosphate from a dermatologist which I use at night here and there but don’t really notice any difference. The feeling of mild irritation will exist for a few minutes and then go away. It feels like a very very light burning feel.

I’ve been freaking out because an old friend is back in my life and I want to push things forward with her.

Does this sound like HSV1?

Should I get another test?
I tested HSV1 on week 8 and 10.5and both were negative
I tested HSV2 on week 5 and 10.5 and both were negative.

Do you recommend a western blot?

Thank you for your help and this forum!

[Terri Warren]

It doesn’t sound like HSV 1 but obviously, I can’t be certain about that.
The IgG test misses 30% of HSV 1 infections compared to the blot so the blot would certainly be the best possible test to sort out your HSV 1 status. It only misses 8% of HSV 2 so that one is far more reliable.

This just goes to show how powerful a verbal diagnosis from a provider with no lab back up or a result on a poor test (like IgM) can impact the mental health of someone who has some health anxiety or actually anyone, for that matter.

You should consider the negative swab in this pictures as well – that is a good thing

Terri

[PeaceofMindSearching]

Hello Terri, thank you for the feedback! I have a few additional comments. The irritation i mentioned, i noticed occurs a few days following mustache trimming. It lasts for a day or two but then goes away and never any sign of a rash. Feels irritated in dry which could result in the “burning” feel? I have never experienced any blister, bumps, or rash. I look everyday.

Would HSV1 show up on a consistent basis?

In regards to the eye, would HSV effect that? I read that it would appear if the virus already lives in the body. Possible cause of stress?

How long is the western blot process? I know it’s pretty pricey and I currently cannot afford that at the moment. I want to believe the negative tests and move forward but I have lots of trouble due to the verbal diagnosis that I received.

I really want to put this to rest and forget about it. I keep freaking out every time the thought comes.

[Terri Warren]

HSV 1 oral infection would be intermittent, not continuous.
Oral herpes could include the eye yes, same nerve group.
The western blot take about 3 weeks from the time of the appointment with me or whomever and test results, if the sample requires shipment to UW

Terri

[PeaceofMindSearching]

Thank you for the feedback, I really appreciate this forum!! I just have a few additional questions to try put this behind me

1. I read in an earlier post on the forum that first outbreaks have major/stronger symptoms? From what I described above, would you consider them major symptoms?
I did not have a fever, body aches, sore throat, etc.

2. Due to the reliability of the IGG HSV-1 blood test, have you experienced many seroconvert with the western blot?

3.Would a cold sore present itself as a single bump with no fluid or would that be an ingrown hair? It was located right above the mustache on the left side. Due to the picture policy for the forum, do you accept any emails?

4.I want to rule out my eye issue being associated with HSV as it’s still on going after 6+ weeks and does not appear to have the symptoms HSV eye infections have such as red, swelling, pain, tearing. I did not experience that. Also, is it true that an eye infection would present itself if the virus lived in you for some time?

5.Do you think I can put this past me? Does this sound like HSV-1?

Thank you!

[Terri Warren]

1. I read in an earlier post on the forum that first outbreaks have major/stronger symptoms? From what I described above, would you consider them major symptoms?
I did not have a fever, body aches, sore throat, etc.
No, not really

2. Due to the reliability of the IGG HSV-1 blood test, have you experienced many seroconvert with the western blot?
Yes, that’s how we know what percent the IgG test misses.

3.Would a cold sore present itself as a single bump with no fluid or would that be an ingrown hair? It was located right above the mustache on the left side. Due to the picture policy for the forum, do you accept any emails?
No, not emails either. Cold sores would normally NOT present as a single bump with no fluid.

4.I want to rule out my eye issue being associated with HSV as it’s still on going after 6+ weeks and does not appear to have the symptoms HSV eye infections have such as red, swelling, pain, tearing. I did not experience that. Also, is it true that an eye infection would present itself if the virus lived in you for some time?
Not necessarily. Not everyone with oral herpes has the virus travel along the top branch of the trigeminal nerve and show up on the eye.

5.Do you think I can put this past me? Does this sound like HSV-1?
It does not sound like HSV 1 to me. Only you can know if you can move past this without the better test, I’m afraid.

Terri

[Author]

Posts