Symptoms and igG test result

[questions023]

Hello, I have a few questions about a recent possible exposure. I’m concerned about the chance of contracting genital herpes. I will try to keep the information concise and useful. Thank you in advance. I am a 29 year old male. I have had a total of two partners in my life, both female.

A little over eight weeks ago, I had protected sex with a new partner. The sex consisted of vaginal penetration and oral sex. Within a week we had sex 5 times. A condom was used for the duration of each sex act, including oral sex.

This woman did have some (healing looking) bumps around her pubic mound area, quite a few, that she explained as razor burn. But she assured me that they never broke open or displayed the common symptoms of herpes blisters. I trust this person, and feel she is being honest.

After the five sexual encounters we had, I developed a itch in my groin around the scrotum. I immediately became really concerned and decided to shave around my groin so I could better see it. I have never done that before and there was a lot of itching and general uncomfortableness added from the act of shaving the area. I ended up visiting a local healthcare provider and was prescribed cream for a yeast infection. It seemed to help. I’m not sure if it would make a difference, and I am not trying to be crude, but our sexual encounters were kind of long lasting about 60 minutes each time I think.

Around a day or two of first sleeping with this woman, I had a kind of small ache in my tailbone area. I literally started a new job at the same time as this relationship started and I remember specifically sitting on a really uncomfortable stool all day at work doing paperwork. I would like to attribute the tailbone pain to that, but I have read that soreness in that area can be because of genital herpes. It has persisted up until now, two months later. It’s not a strong feeling and I think I’ve made it worse because I have often examined myself in the mirror to examine myself down there and I kind of balance on this part of the back. So I think that might explain it, hopefully. And the only other real thing that stuck out for me is kind of stretch marks around the anus. They appear to be stretch marks around the anus following the direction of the anus folds. They don’t really actively hurt or itch and there’s no blisters down there, but I have been itchy recently around my anus and groin, and also while at work the top of my buttcrack area. The itching almost goes away when I am at home. But there is no rash at all on the tailbone…or blisters anywhere. I hope the itching might be attributed to my new job, which requires a lot of walking, miles every day, and sweating in these areas, even though it’s winter here ( I dress really warmly). Lastly, I did have two small bumps (not at the same time) that were filled with thick puss on my penis. They didn’t really tingle or itch or hurt. It appeared to be up to high on the shaft to be an ingrown hair, but it might have been an inflamed fordyce bump or I’m not sure what else. But the pus was very thick and whitish, or maybe beige in color. I don’t know if I’m imagining it or not, but the last couple weeks it seems a slight tingling sensation on the scrotum periodically.

Recently in the last couple weeks I’ve had itching on the scrotum which the anti fungal cream didn’t seem to help but I just started a anti fungal spray that pretty much eliminated the itch down there.

At the seven week mark I took a test at Labcorp for the hsv 1 and 2 igG test. The results came back negative for both. There were no specific numbers included for my levels, only that my numbers tested <0.91 for both. My question is can you tell me approximately how it’s looking…if I can expect another negative result at the 16 week mark? And if so, can you assign approximate percentages?

I want to thank you for your time, and I really appreciate your insight and expertise in this area.

• This topic was modified 8 years, 10 months ago by questions023. Reason: deleted a sentence

[Terri Warren]

It sounds like you have been very carefully and planful about your sexual encounters. Good for you!
Nothing you have described for me sounds anything at all like genital herpes. Her rash sounds like folliculitis from shaving as does yours! Though I well aware that shaving in the pubic area is “The thing” to do now, it does open hair follicles and frequently causes folliculitis as well as on opportunity for HPV and HSV to enter more easily. Your scrotal symptoms do sound like yeast, and I’m glad the spray is helping.
Tailbone pain for two months is not a sign of herpes but it does sound like you need a more comfortable place to sit at work!
My opinion is that your HSV index values will remain the same if you decide to test again.
Before you start having sex with your partner without condoms, if you were thinking of doing that, it might be good for her to be tested as well so there are no surprises down the road. But for now, I think things look great for you.

Terri

[questions023]

Thank you! Your reputation and obvious knowledge in this area make me feel a lot more comfortable with your thoughts. The only thing I’d want to clarify is that I only sat in that chair one day, all day, just to do some paperwork.

I have included two photos that I just noticed after looking down there today. I inspect at least once daily, very thoroughly. I am guessing this is from using a shirt to masturbate with and it caused this, I hope. The first photo is right after I finished masturbating and noticed this under the head of my penis. The second photo is after I washed and dried it off. I’ve since put some Benadryl on it and hope it heals ok and is not anything bad. These photos are from today. The photos are graphic, and I hope that is ok.

Before I washed the area off, I urinated and (sorry for the following, but I feel it might be useful) dabbed some urine at the site of what is in the photos. No stinging or itching or pain or anything. I’d read that it is common for people to get stinging if urine gets in contact with herpes lesions. Afterwards I just washed it off and used Benadryl. I will post the other photo in another post after this one so you can see both. I hope it attaches ok.

Please let me know your thoughts on this. I hope my next post to you is at the 16 week mark with a negative test. Thank you in advance for your time and help.

[questions023]

and here is the other photo.

[questions023]

and for some reason I couldn’t edit the previous post to include this. Maybe a month or a little more ago I remember seeing a very small not itching or hurting or painful little bump that did burst and out came a seemingly small amount of fluid. It was on the penis shaft I think about halfway up. It is possible it could have been pus that just rubbed around but I remember it burst really easily after I spotted it during examining my body that morning and it released a little something that seemed to moisten the skin around it a little.

I don’t know if it could have been caused by friction from walking or irritation or what could have cause it. But I’m almost 100% positive it didn’t create an ulcer or anything. It was singular and very tiny. Since I wore a condom would a primary herpes infection manifest on the penis?

If any other these pictures or any of what I’ve written after your reply seems suspicious or concerning, please let me know. I’m sorry I couldn’t include all of this easily and neatly in one post for you.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 10 months ago by questions023. Reason: added one sentence

[Terri Warren]

None of the pictures came through.

Terri

[questions023]

Hi Mrs. Warren. Hmmmm, I’m not sure why they didn’t post. But everything looks normal now, so I don’t feel it’s worth your time for that issue. But would you mind answering my last post, please? The one regarding the single tiny bump that didnt hurt or tingle or itch or anything? It did easily pop while being examined and release some liquid or possibly puss. I dont think it was on a red base. It might have been flesh colored or clear, the bump itself. Does that sound concerning to you?

I was wondering if it would show up on the middle of the shaft since I wore a condom…and I feel I noticed that maybe two or three weeks after the last possible exposure. Before this encounter I had never looked in that area much at all. Since this new partner I have checked my genitals at least once daily. I’m using this experience as a way to practice more caution and control in my sex life. I’ve not had sex in over seven weeks and will be sure to abstain until the 16 week point, which I’m hopeful comes back good. At this point I beleive I’ve told you every possible symptom I’ve noticed.

Thank you again.

[Terri Warren]

If you had new herpes I would not expect a single lesion that popped. It would more likely be on a red base and it might well hurt. This single bump does not sound like herpes to me. either.

You have now used up all of your questions on your subscription. If you have more questions, please feel free to renew.

Terri

[questions023]

Hello Mrs. Warren. Thank you for answering that.

I just purchased a few more questions. I do have a slight update in possible symptoms.

Almost a week ago, I had a slight periodic itch on my inner left thigh. It itched off and on slightly for 2-3 days. I didn’t even think to look down and inspect it as I’ve calmed down on the herpes panic. I think it was yesterday that I noticed several clustered bump looking things in a patch of less than 1″ by 1″. I put Benadryl cream on it a few times and no difference. I rubbed alcohol on it yesterday with no stinging or pain and today I did the same, and today there seemed to be one slight sting. It’s maybe just a bit sensitive and I noticed this area stung while I took a hot shower yesterday.

At work I’ve had to wear thermal underwear almost every day because of the cold. I work outside and walk on average 3-5 miles a day. I have included three pictures from today in a link below since last time my photos did not upload for some reason, so would you please have a look at them? As you can see, my hairs in this area have been pulling out I think by all of this walking and the underwear. You can see some short hairs just growing back in and my hope is that these bumps are a form of ingrown hairs/folliculitis or some other kind of dermatitis.

The area and bumps kind of glisten when looking on at an angle. To see the photos in their full size, you just have to click each photo. It is an album of three pictures. They are all of the same place on my thigh, but angles and lighting differ.

3 photos

The only other new thing is yesterday I noticed some kind of pin prick sensations all over my body, bottom of foot, arm, leg, randomly….only lasting a second and maybe happening 1-2 an hour. I’m concerned it might be related to herpes neuropathy. Also, I’ve had some sharp pain a couple times this morning in my right outer hip. And also since yesterday some random pain in my calf, feet, heel and arm. It could be considered pretty mild, I think. Last month I had a weird sensation that I thought was caused by my boots being too tight, because it stopped after I loosened them. That feeling was like someone pouring warm water on my inner left shin, a few inches above the ankle.

In summary, Can you tell me what you think of the photos? And can you also tell me what you think of my possible nerve related pain? From my previous posts it didn’t seem you thought there was much to worry about, but I’m just trying to follow up and be as knowledgeable as I can.

I’ve looked for hours online and I can’t find anything that really sites the prevalence of neuropathy in herpes. I’m wondering statistically how common it is, and since you have seen so much herpes related symptoms, I feel very confident in your answers…As before, thank you for your help!

[questions023]

oops, this link is embedded and it won’t allow you to see the full size. to see the full size photos, which are easier on the eyes, please click the link in the upper left hand corner that says imgur to be taken to the site where you can click on the images for a big view. sorry about that, and thanks

[Terri Warren]

I am able to see the photos. They look like mild folliculitis might look and they don’t look like herpes looks.
In my experience, true neuropathy with herpes is rare. People with diagnosed herpes do have sometimes a pain down the back of the legs or if it is facial, tenderness in the face and sometimes it hurts to brush hair or wash the face. Your symptoms sound very random and not like the herpes nerve reactions that I see.

Terri

[questions023]

Thank you so much. Unfortunately today I have a strange crawling feeling in my left leg in between the groin and knee. It started about 2-3 hours ago. I’m hoping this is just anxiety doing this. The feeling is like a weird crawling sensation of a very small patch of skin. It seems to be felt on the skin and not underneath it. Off and on for the last few hours very predictably, every 5-10 seconds it happens for about 1 second. It’s happening now actually. No pain or real sensitivity. Unfortunately I’ve been snowed in and my work has been cancelled the last few days and this has been on my mind again. I’m sure this sensation is happening, and I’ve read that it could be attributed to herpes….but I’ve also read that it could be attributed to anxiety.

Do you have any thoughts on this Nurse Warren? Thank you again for your time

[Terri Warren]

well, judging by your pictures, it doesn’t look like herpes, no. I think this fits well with your negative antibody test at 7 weeks. You may be feeling something, but there is at least a 70% chance you don’t have herpes, based on your lab test and the pictures don’t fit with herpes. I would guess at this point that you don’t have herpes.

Terri

[questions023]

Thank you again. I think I have one more question left. If not, please let me know. I noticed today 2 scratches side by side on my outer hip/thigh area. A small area around the scratches seems sensitive. I read somewhere that herpes might manifest as scratches for some people. I have two photos. If you click the the link that says imgur it will allow you to see the full size images if you click on the images on that site. Does this look like it could possibly be herpes?

I don’t remember getting scratched today, but noticed the stinging when I got in the shower tonight.

http://imgur.com/a/VlvK3

I apologize for what may be irrational. I am just over 10 weeks out from the last possible exposure and will test again in a couple weeks. Thank you for all of your help, Nurse Warren.

[Terri Warren]

I actually think you ran out of questions – you paid for 6 posts and you have posted 7 substantive posts, per my count. Please go ahead and pay for another round of questions. I trust you will do that and I will answer your questions.

This looks nothing at all like herpes to me. I’m not clear that herpes really looks like scratches. I wouldn’t say that. you might be confusing scratches with cuts, which herpes can look like.

You aren’t being irrational, I don’t think, you are just worried and hyperaware of any different skin condition.

Terri

[questions023]

Thank you for answering that question (and all the others) for me. I have renewed the subscription and did have another question or two for you, please.

I did not notice any cold sore on the mouth of that woman while we were together, and we kissed often. But I remember now, about a week or two after she went home, I noticed I had a white blister right on my tonsil. It made is a bit sore to swallow. My throat had hurt for maybe a day or two before I looked at my throat and poked around back there after seeing this white blister thing. It was maybe half the size of a pea. It apparently popped and the throat soreness disappeared immediately. I don’t think I had a fever at that time. I looked online and the blister looking thing looked exactly like a tonsil cyst. I am thinking that is what it was. I just wanted your input on that, because if you suspect it might have been hsv-1, I had concerns about possible accidental auto-inoculation. Also, I don’t know if it would matter or not but I know she has hsv-1 orally, because she said she did, and she actually had a cold sore about a week or two after the last time we had any physical contact I think. I don’t know if viral shedding or whatever precedes oral hsv-1 or not.

One other small question. This was in late December. I have not had any physical activity with anyone since then. I did read somewhere that hsv-1 can be spread through breath, is that correct? I remembered that this woman did actually blow on my irritated genital area (after I’d shaved down there and it got irritated) to try to make me feel more comfortable. I don’t mean to be crude by saying that. She’s a very sweet person and only meant well. I just didn’t know what the possibility was for hsv-1 transmission via breath around my genitals. I did wear a condom for the only oral exposure she performed physically, but didn’t even think about this possible transmission through breath until recently. Is this a valid concern?

Anyway, thank you, as always for your time.

[Terri Warren]

HSV 1 cannot be spread by breath, absolutely incorrect. That is not a worry. And if she performed oral sex on you with a condom and it stayed in place, then I am not concerned about that being a risk for transmission. She did, right, use a condom the whole time while giving you oral sex?

Terri

[questions023]

Hi again. Yes, the condom was on the entire time. I was somewhat concerned when during the encounter that teeth made contact with the condom, but I didn’t notice any obvious tears or anything after the encounter was finished (went from oral to vaginal penetration). I wish now I had looked closely and examined the condom more. This whole thing is made worse by my OCD (diagnosed), because it’s always looking at things from the possible outcomes, or, with hsv-1 thinking of that 1/10 or so number that may pass through undetected.

The literally only other thing I don’t think I had mentioned here was about something I mentioned to the nurse where I got checked out before. I guess I forgot to mention it earlier. I woke up one night (was very anxious around this period) and felt a weird kind of crawling or similar sensation just below the penis head. I masturbated and then went back to sleep. Never has it reoccurred. And I kept a very close eye on my genitals for the last three months and nothing showed up at that spot. I don’t remember when this was, but it was maybe 2 months ago or more. The nurse there said it could be many things. That was the time I was diagnosed with a yeast infection. So I guess I just kind of forgot to mention it because the nurse kind of dismissed it, and also since I didn’t have any direct contact with this woman without a condom.

My questions are:

1. The blister I noticed on my tonsil, did that sound like a possible hsv-1 related blister?

2. Also, It has now been 11 weeks since the last time she and I had sex. I plan to test at the 12 and 16 week marks to be certain. Do you think it is safe to say if I test negative at 12 weeks, that I will continue to test negative? And if so, can you tell me the approximate percentages?

At this time I notice this is my last question, so in case I don’t have any further issues or questions, I want to thank you for your help. Your expertise has helped me put my situation in perspective. You continue to help us even on the weekends, and I want to say it’s appreciated!

[Terri Warren]

1. The blister I noticed on my tonsil, did that sound like a possible hsv-1 related blister?

I’m unclear why you think you might have contracted HSV 1 at this encounter. You were not the giver of oral sex to her, right? If you were not the giver of oral sex to her the only way you would get HSV 1 is from kissing.

2. Also, It has now been 11 weeks since the last time she and I had sex. I plan to test at the 12 and 16 week marks to be certain. Do you think it is safe to say if I test negative at 12 weeks, that I will continue to test negative? And if so, can you tell me the approximate percentages?

If you are negative at 12 weeks, I think there is a 95% chance it will stay that way, yes.

You are most welcome. If you have other questions, you can always renew your subscription.

Terri

[questions023]

Hi again. OK, I subscribed again. And thank you. No, I did not practice oral sex on her at all.

We did kiss every day for 2 weeks, while she was here. We kissed often and deeply every day. I’m certain after talking with her that she said she gets cold sores, but I did not ever see any cold sores while we were kissing. It was a whirlwind relationship and she returned home 2 weeks after I met her. This relationship was unexpected. I’m 29 and have only been with one woman before her.

The blister appeared basically on or right beside my right tonsil. It was white in color and the pain disappeared entirely after I poked around and it popped. I don’t recall there being a fever associated with this blister. It caused soreness for about a day or two before I saw and popped it. My right lymph node on my neck was swollen either at this time or sometime shortly afterwards. Image searches online for tonsil cyst are very similar to what I saw. It was a white color, and I only saw one blister. At this time I think tonsil cyst is possible as an explanation, but since you’re an expert in these matters, I was seeing if it was possibly hsv-1.

1) I was wondering if this sounded like the primary hsv-1 oral infection due to the kissing we shared?

And that 95% number sounds very promising, so I will schedule my next blood test very soon. Thank you in advance Mrs. Warren.

[Terri Warren]

I would say that if you were going to get a primary HSV 1 infection, your symptoms would be more noticeable than a single blister on your tonsil. And also, when I have seen herpes in the throat with a true first infection, the sores are not white, they are more ulcerated and open looking.

So now I get it about your concerns about getting HSV 1 from kissing. The thing is, what are you going to do to avoid getting HSV 1? Never kiss anyone? At some point, there needs to be a benefit vs. loss analysis done about the possibility of getting HSV 1 infection in life.

Terri

[questions023]

Hello Mrs. Warren. I have an update. I was kind of concerned because in the last couple days I had some sharp pains behind one of my knees and I literally just was looking at my penis after work today because the left side of the glans has been a little sensitive to the touch (rubbing against pants etc I notice it’s a little sensitive) the last 3-4 days. I noticed on the shaft just below the head a wound.

It doesn’t hurt or sting and in one of the attached photos the area is stretched and another one not stretched. I don’t know what caused this but my first thought went to herpes, but hopefully it’s not. the sex I had with this person was protected every time (about 5 times total) for the entire time. I didn’t know if herpes would show up in this area since I was wearing a condom.

I was planning on going to get tested within the next week. Tomorrow makes 16 weeks from the last genital to genital exposure, and 15 weeks from the last genital to oral (protected) exposure. I have made arrangements and can do the next igg blood test anytime during the next couple weeks. Do you think if I test tomorrow and it comes back negative I can put this behind me?

Attached is the photos I mentioned. The third photo shows a little red area on the head where it’s sensitive (hopefully due to friction) but it’s not showing up very well in the photo. Can you please tell me if this looks like a herpes ulcer to you? It’s only this one place. I don’t know if possibly it could have been caused by underwear rubbing or masturbation? Thank you for listening and your advice.

View post on imgur.com

[Terri Warren]

Its a very small area but possible to be herpes, though unlikely. I’m sorry I can’t say for certain. I think the next set of tests should be helpful. If the HSV 1 is negative and you are still worried, you could get a western blot since one of your exposures was oral and the WB is better at picking up HSV 1 than the screening test. Wish I could be more certain for you!

TErri

[questions023]

Thanks for your reply! I just noticed that I didn’t address your last message. I actually wasn’t that concerned about hsv being on my mouth, but I was concerned about possible autoinoculation, and that was what my concern was….if she had given me hsv 1 from kissing and the fear of possibly autoinoculating myself. If I have any further concern in the future I might just take the WB, thanks for letting me know.

Quick recap:

1. All physical contact was with a condom. Sex ~5 times within one week with that woman.

2. The first igg test result was at 7 weeks, and it was negative for both HSV 1 and 2.

3. The photo that I’d submitted yesterday has already almost healed it looks like, and it looked very fresh yesterday when I first saw it. I now feel this mark was caused by friction.

Today marks 16 weeks since last possible exposure. Today I went to get another test that included testing for 8 different things, including an igg test for HSV 1 and 2.

If the HSV IGG tests both come back negative again this time, after it’s been 16 weeks from last possible exposure, do you feel I can reasonably conclude that I am negative for both HSV 1 and 2? I have not had any sexual contact at all with anyone for 16 weeks.

Thank you again

[Terri Warren]

Yes, I feel that your tests now would be reliable, especially for HSV 2.

Terri

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