Looking for help, Still convinced I have hsv2

[James12345]

Hi Terri I’m at 27M from the UK who over the last few years I’ve had several sexual partners. I also want to add that I do have some health anxiety. My last possible exposure was November 2021. I didn’t have any symptoms (that I noticed) before last December 2021, when I had 1 single red bump in the pubic area (which I’m sure was an ingrown hair as I’d just shaved that area) but this led me search possible causes (I know not the best idea!) and one thing was hsv2. Although that disappeared within a few days and with no crust/scab. However a few weeks later I had some tingling at the base of my testicles which has been on and off ever since. I went to my GP about the tingling and they said there was nothing wrong with the skin and prescribed some steroid cream, which did seem to help a little. Although still not convinced I ordered a herpes IGG home test kit (through LetsGetChecked) in January which came back negative:

26/1/22 hs1 igg 0.528
hsv2 igg < 0.5

As this was only about 8 weeks past exposure, I did another test in June (6 months or so post exposure) which was also negative:

13/6/22 hs1 igg 0.462
hsv2 igg < 0.5

And although I’ve tested negative I’m still getting these nerve tingles around my testicles, as well as in my feet. And since September time my skin around the right side pubic area has been sore/irritated on and off since with no visible symptoms. Generally all symptoms I’ve noticed only whilst sitting or laying down not doing anything. This led me to do a 3rd test on 28/11/22 with a different company, Better2Know, also negative (no values given). Having researched the accuracy of the igg tests and found it misses 8% of hsv2 infections I’m still concerned I may have it.

Sorry for the long post but any advice would be appreciated as my health anxiety is making it difficult to think about anything else at the moment.

I’m considering trying to arrange a western blot for peace of mind as I’ve seen you can help with this from the UK?

[Terri Warren]

We can arrange a western blot to be sent out of the UK, yes. However, nothing you’ve described here makes me concerned that you have HSV 2. If you decide to do the blot, I can connect you with someone in London who is very good at this. We would need to meet via telehealth first.

Terri

[James12345]

Hi Terri thank you for your reply I did see it and tried to move on following your response however , I still have what feels like an itch or tingly sensation around the testicles/genital area despite there being nothing that looks like sores/rashes.

Do you know the approximate cost of getting the blot done from the UK and how would I arrange a telehealth meeting with you if I decide to go ahead and arrange the blot?

Thanks

[Terri Warren]

I’m sorry, but I don’t know the cost. We work with a woman in the UK who handles all the details. She’s just lovely, and she would know that information. You would need to have a telehealth visit with me first before we would arrange the blot.
The telehealth visit and the test itself total $325. I don’t know what she charges for a blood draw or how much it costs to ship the sample from the UK to the University of Washington.

Terri

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