Test results

[Chasbaby]

Terri,

As you know, I’m a hypochondriac with severe anxiety and ocd.

As a reminder, I had protected sex twice in one night with my partner back on March 21st. He said he got checked in January and came out clean for everything, but I still had my doubts.

I got tested at 4 weeks and came out negative for everything but HSV 1, but I’ve had this for years. I have not had an outbreak, only strange symptoms. I have had mild itching on my pubic area, and burning on my outer lips, sometimes on the outside of my labia majora. This might be due to the excessive touching and rubbing that I do to check for any bumps or lesions daily. The burning does not last after I’ve stopped touching for a day. With that being said, I’ve never had any lesions, bumps or sores. I got tested at almost 11 weeks (1 day short of 11 weeks) and everything came back negative. I do not want to check my hsv 2 index number though, because if it has climbed my anxiety will sky rocket. Also, my Gyno told me it could take up to 6 months for herpes to show in the blood, but I’ve seen you and serveral others state 3 months. I was practically a week away from 3 months.

Questions:
Is it time to put this hsv 2 scare in the past?

Should I even bother checking my index number, or just take the negative result for what it is?

How conclusive do you think my 11 week negative test is?

Would you advise me to test further?

[Chasbaby]

Also, my doctor order specific tests for hsv 1 and hsv 2, but I am confused as to whether I got the IGG test or IGM? I asked the lady at Sonora lab quest and she said they did both IGG & IGM. My doctor told me I was hsv 1 positive (which I’ve been for years) and hsv 2 negative.

I read that IGM test are not type specific and cannot distinguish between hsv 1 and hsv 2, which leads me to believe I had the IGG.

Questions:
If they could distinguish between which hsv type I had, it had to be an IGG test, correct?

Is it time I put this hsv 2 scare behind me?

How accurate is my hsv antibody negative test at 11 weeks?

Should I even bother looking at my index value, or just except my negative for what it truly is?

Would you advise me to test further?

[Terri Warren]

If they could distinguish between which hsv type I had, it had to be an IGG test, correct?
The IgM test reports out as type specific, but it isn’t type specific, so I can’t be certain what test you had done.

Is it time I put this hsv 2 scare behind me?
I think the chances you have HSV 2 are extremely small.

How accurate is my hsv antibody negative test at 11 weeks?
As I’ve said in many posts, I like to wait until 16 weeks for the final test. However, in your situation, I think the chance that you would change from negative to positive, if indeed HSV 1 and 2 IgG was done, is extremely small.

Should I even bother looking at my index value, or just except my negative for what it truly is?
I don’t think the index value is important, no.

Terri

Would you advise me to test further?

[Chasbaby]

Thank you Terri!

Here are my results listed below.. If I’m reading this correctly, they did both IGG and IGM, which came out negative for both except the IGG hsv 1 (as I said before, I’ve always tested positive for this). Also, it looks like my hsv 2 number stayed below .2 which makes me feel a whole lot better.

Question:
Am I reading this correctly?

how do you interpret these results?

[Terri Warren]

I would interpret them in the same way that you are. It’s laid out a little weirdly with the IgM in the middle,but I think you are correct

Terri

[Chasbaby]

Thank you for all your help Terri! I appreciate it, really.

At this point, would you advise me to do further testing?

[Chasbaby]

Also, I may seem to be presenting signs of a yeast infection.. Can we definitely rule out that this is not a sign of herpes given my 11 week negative result?

[Chasbaby]

Ugh Terri, I just have seemed to convince myself that I still have herpes somehow. I still have mild itching and burning of I touch too much. Also have nerve pains in my leg that last a couple seconds. Also, I haven’t shaved so I feel like sometimes I get poking feelings in my genital area.

My psychologist said she thinks my symptoms are all mental and explained to me how, when we are convinced of something we seem to notice every little thing about that situation, even though there’s nothing wrong. Do you agree?

Questions:
Do you think these are herpes symptoms?

Do you agree with my psychologist?

[Terri Warren]

I agree with your psychologist. I do not think these are herpes symptoms.

terri

[Chasbaby]

So you would not recommend I test further?

Thank you for all of your help Terri!

[Terri Warren]

If you do not believe that you parter tested negative then you can test once more at 16 weeks for HSV 2 if you would find it helpful. If you believe him, then this may not be necessary.

Terri

[Chasbaby]

Okay, thank you for your advice.

Do you believe there would be a small chance it would change from negative to positive from 11 weeks to 16, especially since my index value has stayed the same?

[Terri Warren]

i think there is a very small chance indeed, yes.

Terri

[Chasbaby]

Just one last thing, I wanted to confirm my test results with you. I was hoping you could tell me if I had an IGG test done the second time I was tested at 11 weeks.

Below is attached my test results at 11 weeks.

I’ve consulted with individuals on medhelp and they said my hsv 2 negative result at 11 weeks is almost 95% accurate and should not be concerned anymore, regardless of symtoms I get. My pee has been burning today when i urinate and my mind automatically goes to the negative- herpes.

Also, I will pay for additional questions so you can answer this last question. Thank you Terri!

Questions:
Do you see that an IGG test was done here?

Since it is negative at 11 weeks and my index values have not changed, should I be worried about symptoms anymore such as my burning when peeing?

Is it time to put this behind me?

[Terri Warren]

Yes, you had an IgG type specific antibody test done. It is the correct test.
You know what I think about the testing. We have no data that I am aware of stating the accuracy of the IgG antibody test at 11 weeks vs. 16 weeks. I would say it is very unlikely that you will test positive at 16 weeks if you do test; I just can’t give you an exact percentage.

Terri

[Chasbaby]

Thanks so much Terri.

Can I get your advice on one last thing? I am becoming more and more confident that I do not have hsv 2.

However, I have questions about my hsv 1 diagnosis that I hope you can help me with.

In 2013 I got oral from boyfriend and then two weeks later got a yeast infection, or what I thought was a yeast infection. I don’t recall having any bumps or anything, but I also wasn’t looking internally for them.. I just didn’t feel any bumps. I used Monistat and I felt better the next day, but completely better after the second day. 4 months later I got my first Std test for everything and came back positive for hsv 1 with a >8.0 index. Other than this yeast infection, I’ve never experienced another one or any unusual symptoms. The yeast infection was just sore, and mildly itched.

In my childhood I remember kissing a boy that had cold sores on his mouth, but I never got them. In 7th grade I woke up one morning with multiple blisters right under my nose, inside a red ring. It looked horrible. I went to the doctor and she immediately said it looked like herpes and asked about my sexual activity. Of course being young, I had not been with anyone, so then she changed her diagnosis to inpentigo. In July of 2013 I got this same blister like sore right underneath my nose again, but thought it was just inpentigo again. My parents get cold sores too if that means anything.

Questions:

Based on my history, do you believe my hsv 1 infection is orally?

Should I be concerned about this yeast infection that I got two weeks after receiving oral?

[Chasbaby]

My gosh, I am really freaking myself out Terri. I honestly trust your opinion and advice though, so i’m hoping you can help me with this problem. After doing so much research, I am really confused as to where my hsv 1 infection is located at. I also paid for new questions.

As I stated before in Jan of 2013, I had unprotected oral and vaginal sex with my ex boyfriend. Anyway, about 2 weeks later I got a yeast infection, or what I thought was a yeast infection. It started with my vagina internally being sore and midly itched. I never looked in the mirror for bumps or lesions though, I just know i didn’t feel any. I had a whitish discharge that smelt like yeast. It may have been kind of yellowish, but i’m almost CERTAIN it was white and thick. I immediately thought he had given me chlamydia, but then i decided I would try over the counter meds and if that didn’t help, then i would go to the doctor. I used monistat and after a day i felt better, and 100% better by the second day. My ex did not have any sores on his mouth. I’m scared because Dr. HHH has stated that yeast infections typically do not have a smell to them, yet all of my friends that get yeast infections get a “yeast like smell” as well. My vagina was not throbbing, and i did not have any flu like symptoms. In June of 2013 i got tested for the first time ever, and got tested for everything. Everything came back negative besides hsv 1 with an index value of >8.0. I’ve never gotten another yeast infection since or unusual symptoms since.

Back to my childhood. I use to kiss my boyfriend on the mouth all the time when he had cold sores on his lips, but never got an outbreak. Then in 7th grade I woke up with multiple blisters underneath my nose that were clustered together and inside a red ring. It itched and burned super bad. I went to my doctor and she diagnosed it as herpes, but then changed her diagnosis to impentigo when she found out i wasn’t sexually active. I got this same blister like sore in July of 2013, but thought it was just impentigo again. I’ve been reading conflicting information on the internet and cannot decipher if these were cold sores or impentigo. I’ve read that usually an individual only gets impentigo one time in their life and does not usually occur in older individuals. I was 19 when i got the second outbreak. I’ve also read that impentigo usually occurs underneath the nose and cold sores are around the mouth, but then have also read that cold sores do occur underneath the nose as well. The second time i got an outbreak i remember scratching underneath my nose and then the next day got these blisters in a cluster. I’ve read that impentigo is caused by a scratch that gets infected, but cold sores usually come back in the same place, and my breakouts came back in the same place.

questions:
Based on my history, do you believe my hsv 1 infection is orally or genitally?

Should i be concerned about this yeast infection i got two weeks after oral sex?

[Terri Warren]

I would say that your HSV 1 is almost certainly oral. The lesions that you describe under your nose are very typical herpes lesions. I don’t know why you doctor changed their opinion because you weren’t sexually active. All you need to have done is kiss someone to get oral herpes- either a partner could have kissed you with this or a parent or grandparent. Your symptoms are classic, classic, classic.

Terri

[Chasbaby]

Oh my gosh, that just put me at so much rest.

So, I should not worry about this yeast infection that got that cleared up with monistat two weeks after receiving oral?

[Terri Warren]

No, it sounds surely like a yeast infection to me. And I agree that yeast infections smell “yeasty”

Terri

[Chasbaby]

Hi Terri,

I know that we have established that my HSV 1 is probably oral but I just have doubts in my mI do not get cold sores often. Two days I noticed that my butt crack hurt and burned. It itches a little bit, but do you have any idea what it may be?

Questions:
I have never had an outbreak of hsv 1 genitally, so can we conclude that I will never have one?

Does this look herpetic?

[Terri Warren]

This does not look herpetic, no. But if might look a little fungal (yeast). We see a lot of this particularly in the summer.

Terri

[Chasbaby]

Thank you so much Terri.

In regards to my hsv 1 infection, we have established that I have had lesions underneath my nose that are similar to a coldsore. It’s just weird to me because I have only had two outbreaks in my entire life, which makes me question the infection site or if that is typical.

Questions:
Since I have never had an outbreak of hsv 1 genitally, can we conclude that I will never have one?

[Terri Warren]

I never say never. But I would say that I seriously doubt that you will ever had one – seriously.

Terri

[Chasbaby]

I’m sorry to keep bothering you Terri, but I refuse to live in worry/fear about my HSV 1 infection. I need your help.

As I mentioned before, in 2013 I got tested for the first time in my life and everything came back negative besides hsv 1. I thought that was kind of odd because I had never had an outbreak genitally or orally. Then I remembered when I was in junior high I use to always kiss my boyfriend on the mouth when he had cold sores because I wasn’t aware this was herpes. I never got an outbreak though. Then one day in 7th grade I woke up with a cluster of blisters underneath my nose inside a red ring. It looked awful. It looked like I had a flesh eating disease. My doctor first diagnosed it as herpes, then said it was impentigo because I was not sexually active. So I always thought that was just impentigo. In 2013 after my hsv 1 positive test result, I got another lesion underneath my nose but it was no where near as bad as the first lesion I got. It was in the same spot as the first lesion I got in 7th grade, so I just thought it was impentigo. When I got tested for the first time in 2013, I had a positive test result with greater than 8.0. Prior to that only two people had given me oral sex and only for like a minute. Neither had cold sores on their mouth.

Then this week I went for a run on a trip and later on noticed this intense burning in my buttcrack (pics are above). I went to the doctor and he said it was a bacterial infection since the anti-fungal didn’t work (only used it for one night). The area was just red, burned and itched a little bit. After putting the medicine on it, the red area then got a tear or slit. I tried a different anti fungal and it took away the pain and redness in half a day, but the tear thing is still there but with no pain. It’s flesh colored now. I know you said it looked like a fungal infection, but the fact that a tear developed scared me. This started Sunday night and the pain was gone by wednesday after I put lotrimin on it (so three days). This would be my initial outbreak if it was herpes.

Questions:
Does this sounds like herpes?

If I’ve never had an outbreak genitally, should I still be concerned that my hsv 1 infection is genitally?

If this is herpes this would be my first outbreak, is it possible to have your first outbreak years later after contracting it?

Or do you think based on my history my hsv 1 infection is orally with the lesions underneath my nose?

[Chasbaby]

I should also add that I paid for new questions, and the area was red for two days before the slit/tear appeared. The tear/slit appeared after I put the bacterial medicine on it & it seemed to really aggravate the red area so I discontinued it and got lotrimin which cleared it up in half a day.

Please, please don’t forget to answer my questions above and read my history. Thank you Terri!

[Terri Warren]

People sometimes do get slits in the skin from yeast – the yeast breaks down the skin to the point where it can no longer hold together and it breaks – not uncommon at all. The bacterial medicine could have irritated it, yes. It sounds nothing like herpes to me.

Yes, I definitely think the lesions under your nose are herpes, type 1. They recur, they were present before you were sexually active, your are HSV 1 positive, it all totally fits!

Terri

[Chasbaby]

Thank you Terri!

Questions:
So since we established that the lesions underneath my nose sound like herpes lesion, can we conclude that I do not have hsv 1 genitally?

Since I’ve never had a genital hsv 1 outbreak, can I expect to never have one?

I’m constantly worried and checking myself down there, and I just want to put this phobia past me. My therapist has been helping me along the way as well.

[Terri Warren]

Yes, I would conclude from all the information that you have given me that you do not have HSV 1 genitally. You got the things under you nose before you started having any kind of sex, correct?

Terri

[Chasbaby]

Correct, I got the first lesion in 7th grade and then I got the second lesion in 2013. By 2013 I had had sex, but when I got the first lesion I was not sexually active. Is it weird that I’ve only had two outbreaks in my life?

[Terri Warren]

No, not really.

Terri

[Chasbaby]

Terri,

I just want this living nightmare to be over. A couple days ago I felt a bump down there, but didn’t think much of it. But last night I felt like the bump had gotten bigger, so I took a look in the mirror and saw this. I went to the ER and they said it looked like a blocked gland since it did not hurt or itch. They said they had no reason to think it was herpes. As we’ve stated before, I am clear of all STD’s besides hsv 1 but we have established that it sounds like my infection site is orally since I’ve had similar symptoms to a cold sore underneath my nose twice. Once again the bump does not hurt & I only notice it because I inspect myself down there a lot. I know I can’t transmit HSV 1 orally to my genitals by autoinoculate on cause I’ve had it for years, but I am very concerned. I have not had any sexual contact in month as well.

Questions:
What are your thoughts on this?

How could this possibly be herpes if I have never had an outbreak genitally in over the years that I’ve had hsv 1?

[Chasbaby]

I meant i have not had sexual contact with anyone in MONTHS. Please read above and answer my questions. I am worried sick.

[Terri Warren]

The picture is very fuzzy. But from what I can see I would agree that it is a blocked duct, yes. And being seen by a provider vs. me on the internet trying to sort things out is by far better.

What did they suggest? Hot packing?

Terri

• This reply was modified 6 years, 11 months ago by Terri Warren.

[Chasbaby]

Yes, they said to apply warm compresses on it. I took a warm bath this morning, so you might not be able to see the bump as much but this is the best picture I could get. It seems to of gone down a bit with the warm bath.

Questions:

I just don’t understand because we have established that i have had similar lesions to cold sores under my nose before, so how could this possibly be a genital outbreak?

I haven’t had sex in MONTHS, literally

[Chasbaby]

My finger is pointed to the bump in one of the pictures, in case you can’t see it. Should I be concerned? I paid for new additional questions as well.

[Terri Warren]

If the hot bath helped and it is almost invisible now to me, this is not herpes!
I’m not clear what it is going to take for you to actually believe that you don’t have genital HSV 1 and to stop worrying about these various bumps that most people get from time to time. What do you think it will take?

Terri

[Chasbaby]

Terri,
Thank you so much for all of your help and advice. I can only imagine the frustration you have with me.

The bump is still there and a little tender, but not painful. It doesn’t hurt when I walk around or anything, I wouldn’t even notice it if I didn’t touch it. Could it be an abscess or cyst? I guess I freaked out because I’ve never had a bump like this before and I’ve seen you tell patients that it is possible to get your first outbreak years after you’ve contracted the virus. I know we’ve established that I’ve had lesions similar to cold sores underneath my nose twice before, but I guess it’s just gonna take some time for me to realize those were cold sores because my family gets them on their mouth. I had never seen them underneath their nose before like mine.

What are your thoughts? Time to put this behind me?

[Terri Warren]

It could definitely be a plugged duct that became inflammed.
I am not frustrated with you, I am frustrated FOR you that this has been so difficult for you.
If it helps at all, I get cold sore at the bottom of my nose sometimes too. It’s all in that nerve group and the fact that yours recurs is important in making the differential diagnosis.
So let’s look at this objectively. We know you have HSV 1 infection from your antibody test. We have know you likely have HSV 1 under your nose recurrently. We know that people don’t get the same virus in a new location on their body after the first infection is well established. We know that you had your first cold sore before you started having sex. Though nothing is 100% true, it seems to me that the evidence is strongly present to believe that you have HSV 1 only orally.

Terri

[Chasbaby]

Terri,

Thank you for your patience, and for thoroughly explaining everything to me. When I looked up what a cold sore underneath the nose looked like, it looked exactly like what I got the 2nd time around rather than impentigo. I wish my doctor would of thoroughly examined me before jumping to conclusions because you can tell a big difference between impentigo and a herpes lesion. Cold sores are multiple blisters in a cluster, rather than red sores that are spread out and then break open like impentigo, correct? My first outbreak was absolutely terrible, I couldn’t even go to school. It was just a cluster of blisters in a more circular form.

Also, that bump is still there and visible. It does not hurt, itch or bother me. Even if I touch it, its just a slight bit tender but not even. I wouldn’t notice it if I didn’t look at it. It is kind of hard. I don’t know whether or not to be concerned. The warm baths aren’t helping take it away.

Questions:
Do you think its weird to only have 2 hsv 1 outbreaks in your lifetime?

Should i consult further medical assistance for the bump or just wait until it goes away?

[Terri Warren]

I think you should continue to hot pack the bump if it is still there.
It is not weird to only have two cold sores in your lifetime, at all!

Terri

[Chasbaby]

Okay, and we can pretty much rule out hsv 2 genitally as well since my 3 and 11 week hsv tests were negative with values lower .2 correct?

Also, my partner randomly texted me one day and said he tested clean for everything because he knows how concerned I am about this stuff if that means anything. I never saw the results.

[Terri Warren]

Yes, I think we can almost rule out HSV 2, you know that I like 16 weeks to have passed before we can have a final western blot or ELISA antibody test for HSV 2..

Terri

[Chasbaby]

The bump is still there and I am freaking out. I know you said it was a normal pimple, but my minds just going to the negative side.

Questions:
Would I be experience an outbreak 4 months after my encounter, even though I tested negative at 11 weeks?

[Terri Warren]

If you are worried about the bump, please go back to see your provider.
Not everyone develops symptoms with infection: that’s why we use antibody testing.
You have posted 26 questions on this round of subscriptions and paid for 18. I would appreciate it if you you would catch up with the 8 questions you have not paid for before you post anything else. Please count the posts yourself to verify if I have counted incorrectly.

Terri

[Chasbaby]

I apologize Terri, but I did pay $40 for my questions. One question I accidently sent twice and another post was just to correct something. So I counted a total of 6 questions for $40. Thank you for all of your advice, and I apologize about the payment issues.

I went to my Gyno and she said she could barely even see the bump. She said it looked like nothing. Last night I took a hot bath and then this morning the bump had a whitehead so it must of popped by the time I got to the doctor. I also got tested again at 16 weeks.

Questions:
What do you think the likelihood of my hsv 2 test being negative again after my negative 4 & 11 week test results?

[Terri Warren]

I think the likelihood of a negative for HSV 2 is very high, honestly.

I was counting the total posts on this whole series of posts.

I think we are finished here, really. I have nothing more to add.

terri

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