Shocked by HSV2 Negative Test

[lasithiou]

Hi,

About a year ago I got very ill.

Flu like symptoms
2 red, painful dots on my penis
Pain when urinating
Ulcers in the mouth
Fever

I went to a doctor who said he thought it was Herpes and gave me aciclovir tablets. I was ill for about 20 days in total.

I have never had any further outbreaks but I have assumed that I am positive for HSV2. I have a new partner now and I have been using condoms. I got a Herpes blood test done and I was shocked to see it come back as Positive for HSV1 but Negative for HSV2.

I questioned the result and was told I probably had a genital HSV1 infection. But this doesn’t explain the initial symptoms which match those of a HSV2 infection… correct?

I have told my partner that I tested negative for HSV2 and she wants us to stop using condoms but I am confused and worried.

Any help out there?

L

[Terri Warren]

HSV 1 and HSV 2 presentations are exactly the same. You cannot tell from a lesion or outbreak if it is HSV 1 or HSV 2 – only a swab that is positive that can be typed will tell you that OR later, an antibody test that is type specific. Sounds to me like you have HSV 1 genitally. If your partner also has HSV 1, then condoms are not necessary.

Terri

[lasithiou]

Thanks Terri

But I am pretty sure I have had a coldsore before as a child. So if it was a HSV1 infection why would I have got so ill?

L

[Terri Warren]

You know, over the years I have been a bit less confident about childhood histories of cold sores. Were they on the outside of the mouth? Inside of the mouth? Does a parent substantiate your memory? I don’t mean to insult you honestly but sometimes people get canker sores and cold sores mixed up.
It is always possible that they symptoms that you had were not herpes, right?

Terri

[Author]

Posts