Testing At 12 Weeks Post Exposure

[LadyValkyrie]

I was exposed to genital HSV (type unknown) on September 18th, 2021 during an active outbreak. The sores did not touch me, but I understand that doesn’t matter. I’ll forgo the story.

I seem to have all the symptoms except for actual lesions.

I went to my local urgent care and got tested on Tuesday. This past Saturday would have been 12 weeks post exposure.

My results came back this morning and they were negative. I have a follow-up appointment to get tested again by my gynecologist at 15 1/2 weeks post exposure.

My question is, since I tested negative for HSV 1 & HSV-2 at a little over 12 weeks (86 days to be exact), how likely is this to be accurate and not a false negative (I believe this was a type specific blood test) and can I relax a little now?

[LadyValkyrie]

I guess I should include more of what I experienced symptom wise.

I first got tested at 13 days post exposure because I was freaked out and did not know a lot about herpes. During that time, I had some irritation down there and some itching. It started at the top around where my clit is and went down to around my anal area. They did not check it at urgent care, just did the full STD panel, which was all negative.

I was still freaked and went to see my gynecologist. She did an exam and said she say the irritation and that she saw nothing that indicated herpes. She also did an IGM test. This was 2-3 weeks post exposure. I know those tests are not very accurate, but it was negative. The irritation went away on its own in about a week.

I have anxiety issues and after I disclosed to someone that I possibly came in contact with it, I started getting irritation and itching in the same area, but a little more widespread. It was not as bad as the first time. Just enough to freak me out. Then, the next couple days, I had a headache that lasted maybe an hour, if that, then I got a runny nose, etc. This was about a week ago. The irritation is pretty much gone, but I’m still experiencing twinges every now and again and I’ve gotten a lower back ache the last couple days. My right leg and right arm also ached for about a day and my right leg has been every now and again.

It’s also important to note I’ve been on my period for two weeks. This is my fault because I missed some of my birth control and have had two periods back to back. I think this could explain some of the symptoms.

I haven’t felt any pain and it was only slightly uncomfortable and I just felt tired. Which could also be due to my period, I think. I am also itching everywhere. From the top of my head to my hands to my back. I’m not sure if this is my anxiety.

I guess my second question is, when can I be certain I don’t have it based on the information I provided?

may have a third question after the response

[Terri Warren]

The IgG test for HSV 2 misses 8% of infections compared to the western blot and the HSV 1 IgG misses 30% of infections, compared to the western blot. So you can decide based on those statistics how much more clarity you need about possible infection.

Your symptoms, to me, do not sound herpetic as you’ve had no sore. People can be infected without presenting sores but it is much less common.

Terri

[LadyValkyrie]

Thanks, Terri.

I have since found a couple of bumps on my butt cheeks. A rash has formed in between my butt cheeks, but the irritation elsewhere is a little better. I’m not sure what the bumps are though. There is some itching occasionally still though.

I have since inquired and the person I was exposed by said he “thinks” it’s HSV-2 that he has.

I’ve also done more research and read that it can take some people 6 months to develop type specific antibodies. I have hypothyroidism and PCOS and am not sure if either of those would affect the length of time it takes to make antibodies.

If this is true, how can the Western Blot detect it in those people at 12 weeks post exposure?

Unfortunately, I cannot afford the Western Blot test. Although, it would help alleviate my mind as I am still a nervous wreck and jumping at every abnormality or sensation.

[Terri Warren]

Neither of your symptoms would interfere with antibody development for HSV. If you cannot afford the western blot, you could do an IgG test at 12 weeks out and see what you get. It’s so hard to know if this could be herpes or not as your symptoms are not very specific for herpes. Lots of people have bumps on their butt checks and the rash should evaluated in person if possible.

Terri

[LadyValkyrie]

Hey Terri, I’m back.

Thanks for your responses.

I had my IGG test by LabCorp (no index value given) at 12 weeks and it was negative.

I followed up with my gynecologist (who told me that antibodies won’t show up in IGG tests if the virus is dormant…) at 15 1/2 weeks and that test was completed by Qwest (no index value given) and it was negative.

I’m trying to do my best to let this go. During my exposure, there was an outbreak. We used a condom. However, he rubbed the tip of his member on me and partially put it inside me. The sores did not touch me (I understand this doesn’t matter). He was taking Valtrex or one of the other meds and when he showed them to me, they were very tiny.

I still have had no typical herpes like lesions. However, I experience some sort of twinge or pin prick or prickly sensation around my inner thighs, vagina, and around my anal area daily. The irritation and rashes appear around the time of my period.

This last time (has happened twice since exposure) the pricking sensation and random inner thigh aches have persisted. I had one spot that looked as if it could be a pimple, however, it never ulcerated, looked like a blister, or anything. It lasted less than a week and it was on my inner thigh.

I had something similar to feeling like a hemorrhoid around this time. Irritation still occurred around my anal area, like a small rash, however, it improved greatly and is almost gone in less than 24 hours after using Nyastat (and something else) cream.

I have had no pain. Just felt uncomfortable and when I had the vaginal irritation, it was a little swollen. No pain during urination.

The rash was gone by the time I was able to see someone. Also, during my first irritation issue two weeks after exposure, I tested negative for BV & yeast. I also have random almost burn like feeling in random spots from thighs, to vagina, to butt.

I can’t afford the blot, but I can’t move on. I’m paralyzed with fear and anxiety. I’m not sure what to do now

[Terri Warren]

Your doctor is totally incorrect. You will make antibody even if the virus is dormant, whatever that means. We know that if the virus is in your body, a good antibody test will pick up infection, even if you aren’t having an outbreak.

Terri

[LadyValkyrie]

Thank you for your response.

It feels like this is never ending.

First, I had a new rash pop up on my inner thighs. I went to the dermatologist because I couldn’t get in to see an OBGYN. The dermatologist said that he thought the rash was due to heat and sweat and he prescribed an anti fungal cream and medication. The rash is going away.

When I was applying the cream, I went a little lower than the rash. I knew there was a bump there before, it’s right on the area that I get HS (acne inversa). However, when I ran my finger over it, it leaked out fluid like a blister would. It was not painful and it was watery and bloody. It’s still there and it is still slightly filled on one side. It’s been there for 1-2 weeks, but the leaking didn’t happen until Friday. I went straight back to the dermatologist and saw someone different, but she believed it was my acne inversa because it lines up in the same spot I usually get it and it’s purpleish in color.

I still feel random twinges, pin pricks, and burning sensations.

Yesterday, I was nauseated and had diarrhea and lower back ache. It went away towards the evening, but was back this morning when I woke up. It also burned to go to the bathroom (#2, not pee).

The dermatologist did another IGG test, but the first one I saw stated that my first two tests being wrong (12 weeks and 15 1/2 weeks out with negative results) is highly unlikely and that I should let it go.

This last test I got done Friday and is also a different lab than the two I had it done at before. This one would have been drawn 1 day before 18 weeks.

The issue I’m having is all of these things that keep popping up and happening. It’s been something every day since the end of November. At least twinges and pin prick sensations.

I’ve also read that it takes some people 6 months to seroconvert.

Based on my symptoms, time line, and tests what would be your recommendation? I’m struggling very bad with this and think that this has traumatized me.

[LadyValkyrie]

Hey Terri..

I obtained the results of my third test. The dermatologist did a IGM and IGG test.

The results were non reactive to IGG HSV 1 & 2, but was 1.11 for the IGM.

I don’t understand why the IGM would still show and not the IGG at this late stage at almost 18 weeks post exposure…

[Terri Warren]

With 92% certainty, you don’t have HSV 2. Forget the IgM test completel. It never should have beend one. Your symptoms are not consistent with herpes. If you cannot accept the IgG results or want further confirmation that you are negative, the herpes western blot is your next move.

Terri

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