I really need to clear my doubt. Is 2nd test a must?

[faofff]

Hello. I’m 23 yr old male, very active in sports and healthy eating. I have been reading quite a number of posts here but I still have to ask my questions so I decided to pay. Heres my story.
I have never ever wash my foreskin before, uncircumsized., on 22nd dec I slept with a girl(it was a one night affair, theres no way am I able to contact her nor ask her about her status). Had unprotected oral and protected sexual.
25th dec while I was working in very tight pants, I felt very uncomfortable with my penis and keeps pee-ing. Then I start to discover white stuff, which I found out to be stigma. However I see rashes appearing all over my penis ( I had it before, later on then I realize its a condition call balanitis) so I visit the doctor. Doctor suspected herpes. So I keep washing and within 3 days the rash went away.
Went to see another doctor and he assure me its not herpes. 3 weeks later it came back after masturbating, and again it disappear within 3 days, I keep thinking it might be inflammation as I’m too rough with my penis. at the 7th week, I gave in to my emotions. And I took HSV 2 igG blood test. 9th of February Result came back 1.19, positive. However it really puzzles me. It is 10th week currently, I have never had cold sores, no burning sensation, no issues urinating, no blisters, no nothing. All my symptons just led to basically balanitis and I literally dont feel anything. I read alot about false positive and was thinking to go for a retest at 12week mark at another clinic. I don’t understand my ratio no. either. I have been trying my best to spot symptoms but to no avail. I have accepted that I have herpes, but this doubt just won’t go away.
I’m living in Singapore, theres no way I can find a western blot in my country. Up till date 7th March 2015 I have no symptoms, no lesions no nothing. I feel perfectly normal and fine, but couldn’t find a convincing reason to accept that I have herpes. At the very most is just recurring rashes, thats all to it. I been through tons of medical forums and researchers told me I very likely have a false positive as well. I have read alot of your replies and know you have your knowledge and experience with herpes patients. I really need to clarify this. I have seen posts where you ask people to go for WB and post where you mention some people are low positives and doesnt require a 2nd test… so should I go for a 2nd test?
Regards to my sexual history, shes probably the first intercourse I had ( really unlucky to contract herpes )

[Terri Warren]

I’m not at all convinced that you have genital herpes. There is a good chance that your result is a false positive, yes. If you were my patient, I would recommend that you wait 16 weeks and then get a western blot. I know that you don’t have them there, but if you want to have one done, we can ship you a kit for that. But honestly, you have a very low positive result here and the chances that you would contract genital herpes at a one time sexual encounter with protected intercourse is so low, statistically!

What do you think?

Terri

[faofff]

Hi Dr Warren, thank you for your reply. It is very reassuring to hear you saying that. I do not have the budget to order a western blot.. will another round of blood test at my local doctor suffice?
If I were to take a 2nd round of blood test and came back with another round of low positive does that mean I actually have herpes but I’m asymptonic?

[Terri Warren]

If you do another round of tests and you came back with another low positive, we would still be in exactly the same place, not knowing what is going on – whether you were infected or not.

Terri

• This reply was modified 8 years ago by Terri Warren.

[faofff]

Hi Dr Warren, since this is my last post I want to clear my last doubts.

Firstly, how much does it cost for a western blot to be ship over?

Secondly, what about those that have herpes but asymptonic? I have seen alot of forums that people state people have herpes but they dont know about it.

Thirdly, if I go for a normal blood test and came back negative, does that mean I have herpes?

Lastly, I still do not have symptoms.. if its as you said, its statistically low, I did see your reply to another user that he did not need to go for retest…do I really need to?

[faofff]

Sorry, I beg your understanding, I accidentally forget to add in the most crucial question, does Masturbation cause a herpes outbreak? like rash after masturbating

[Terri Warren]

I think if a person has a low positive, it is still a positive and has the potential for being a true positive. A negative person who has very little risk may not need retesting. Each person’s situation is a little different.

You could find out the cost of the western blot and shipping by contacting roger@westoverheights.com He will look up all the shipping charges for you.

A normal blood test? You mean a blood test for something else? Only a herpes antibody test can tell you if you have herpes or not.

Masturbation does not normally cause any symptoms unless it is prolonged or rough, no.

This is your final post on your subscription. If you have more questions, you can renew your subscription.

Terri

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