HSV-1 or GHSV-1

[FSFSFSFS09876]

Hi Terri,

I hope you are well.

I tried to post a longer version of this, but unsure if it came through.

I’ve had ongoing UTI symptoms for 3 months after unprotected sex and oral. Mainly burning before and after urination. Tingling in the urethra, inflamed urethral opening and a small amount of discharge. I found what appears to be a tiny sore on the inside of my urethra

All my panels have come back negative, I didn’t blood test for HSV straight away as the clinic assured me my symptoms were not HSV. I also didn’t know that this was the best way at the time. I’ve been back to the clinic twice and normal doc once. All things are coming back negative.

At 12 weeks I take IgG test for HSV 1 & 2. HSV-1 comes back positive 6.82. My mum had cold sores. I don’t remember having cold sores, but I did get mouth ulcers from time to time as a kid. I’ve had plenty of partners, shared drinks etc.

Can you offer any advice on the below?

• How accurate are ‘Herpes Simplex Type 1/2 DNA – Urine sample
• Could my HSV-1+ number be a new infection? Would it be this high after 12 weeks?
• Do the UTI symptoms add up to GHSV-1?
• If I IgG at 16 weeks and the number stays the same, is it safe to assume I’ve had this for a while? If it goes up at the next test, is it new?

Thank you

[Terri Warren]

• How accurate are ‘Herpes Simplex Type 1/2 DNA – Urine sample
Are you in the US? I think urine testing for HSV is clearly not the gold standard and I am unfamiliar with its sensitivity or specificity.

• Could my HSV-1+ number be a new infection? Would it be this high after 12 weeks?
yes, it could be this high after 12 weeks – a shame that it wasn’t done at the beginning as a baseline – then you could know more about the timing of the infection

• Do the UTI symptoms add up to GHSV-1?
Not at all. HSV 1 in the genital area is a quiet infection and not often active. You describe months of ongoing symptoms – I don’t think they are due to HSV 1.

• If I IgG at 16 weeks and the number stays the same, is it safe to assume I’ve had this for a while? If it goes up at the next test, is it new?
After 12 weeks, any change in the IgG is not significant,no.

Terri

[FSFSFSFS09876]

Hi Terri,

Thank you for your reply.

I’m in the UK. HSV screening is not standard unless you show visible sores. I’ve not had any visible sores, just the symptoms mentioned above and very tiny bumps around my urethral opening. Hence no swab or blood test for HSV.

The full screening was paid for privately, as I wanted reassurance. The company I used said the urine sample could only detect active shedding, I only found this out after questioning them. I’d wrongly assumed it would be the correct tests for everything.

I 100% agree about the baseline test. If I had known more at the time, I would’ve taken it. Hindsight hey.

I have had another IgG at 16 weeks, this came back 6.50 HSV-1. So a very marginal decrease….my understanding is this means nothing?

Most of my symptoms have now gone. Just a minor irritation in my urethra and a very slightly inflamed urethral opening. To be honest, this could now be a figment of my imagination.

Just a couple more questions, if that’s ok?

Could this have been herpes urethritis? My understanding is this is very painful when urinating. My pain has been a 3 at most, mostly irritation and uncomfortableness.

Could I arrange a video call with you? I’d like to get your opinion on the pictures I took. I’m aware there is a cost, this isn’t an issue.

Thank you again

[Terri Warren]

Thanks for clarifiying the urine issue. Clearly, the test could not detect underlying infection but interesting about picking up viral shedding.
Herpes urethritis is usually more than a 3 for pain.
Yes, you can arrange a video call – you can set that up on this website.

Terri

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