very nervous

[terrifiedguilty]

Dear Terri Warren,

My story begins last fall. I had a small cut just inside my outer labia. I went to obgyn office, saw the p.a. who said it didn’t look anything like herpes and not to worry. I did have bv, which is not surprising as I have it chronically, along with bouts of gbs. A month later, in October 2014, I had another cut in the same area. Neither cuts burned, filled with fluid, scabbed, or were terribly red. I again went to the office, saw another p.a. who again said it didn’t look like anything concerning. I did get a igg blood test, which came back equivocal for 1&2. My actual dr. reassured me that it meant negative. 3 months from then I had a repeat blood test which came back negative. In February of 2015 during a brief separation from my partner, I had a one time protected vaginal only sex with another man of unknown status. I reconciled with my current partner shortly after. On May 30 I noticed a bump in the area between my rectum and vagina, that felt like a lump inside my skin. I am super paranoid of herpes and went to my gp the next day, who said it was just a pimple. Because of my high anxiety level, I went to obgyn, saw the p.a., who also said it was just a pimple. Neither one of them seemed concerned. Can I trust their expertise and just move past this? I am a 43 yr old female with one regular parter for 2.5 years, with the exception in February. Because of infidelity on his behalf, I made him test last year, June 14′, and results were negative. I have read the forums by Dr’s Hook and Handsfield, who both state a protected encounter is very low risk, and they don’t recommend testing without a lesion. Do you consider the pimple a lesion? Right now it feels like a tiny lump inside my skin.

[Terri Warren]

I think your risk of having herpes, giving the timing of everything and the testing that you have had done, is really low.
So to make certain I have everything correct: your only encounter after having had a negative IgG antibody test was one protected intercourse in February of this year? And you’ve had no testing since, correct? And your partner tests negative for HSV 2?

Terri

[terrifiedguilty]

Yes. 1 protected encounter in Feb 2015. No testing since. My regular partner tested negative last June.

[terrifiedguilty]

The lump is located more on my lower rectum.I had to point it out to the p.a. at my obgyn. I’ve had it for almost 10 days. I am hyper vigilante about my body because of all my feminine issues. Should I trust my doctors?

[Terri Warren]

If you want to be extra sure, you could do the IgG test for HSV 2 again. But really, I think the likelihood of thing changing from your last test are really really small. One encounter of protected sex is a very minimal risk

Terri

[terrifiedguilty]

Here I am again. I found a cut on the outer part of my clitoris and a red tender spot on my outer labia while showering. When I looked closer it appears to be a red spotty rash! I have an appt today but I’m sick with anxiety! I don’t know if its from sweat or bv or what! The cut isn’t on the same side as the others I had before but it ultra concerns me because I’ve never had a spotty rash of any kind!

[Terri Warren]

I’m sorry, but your subscription has run out but since one of your posts is so short, I will answer this but just to say that it is great you are being seen today. I hope you will request that a herpes PCR swab will be done, even if they don’t think it looks like herpes to reassure you or get clarification.

Terri

[terrifiedguilty]

I saw my Dr. yesterday who said it only looked like papule or sebaceous glands. I asked about the swab and he said completely unreliable. So today I went to another Dr and she had the highly sensitive swab that looks for DNA but didn’t feel there was anything to swab. The cut was difficult to find (she couldn’t find it) and the red spots I saw yesterday she couldn’t see either. The ones I found on my clitoris under the skin hood have since yesterday almost disappeared and now look like peeling skin (very small). She ordered labs for HIV hep b &c and rsb(?) I asked about hsv and she wasn’t going to order it but added at my request. I am now waiting the excruciating time til results come back 🙁

[terrifiedguilty]

I forgot to add that she didn’t think any of my issues looked like herpes. Can something like 1 protected encounter really come back to haunt me? I appreciated that she was aware of and had the highly sensitive swab/test and shouldn’t I feel confident and be able to trust that she knows when it needs to be used and when it doesn’t? TY again for your work.

[Terri Warren]

Yes, I think you should be very happy that you found someone who could do the PCR test for you. That’s terrific.
I think one protected encounter is very low risk!
Let me know how the results turn out when they come back, OK?

Terri

[terrifiedguilty]

I called my drs office today and a nurse gave me results. All labs negative. She said they have to be reviewed by the provider who won’t be in til Wednesday, but at this point all negative. Of course my crazy anxious mind is wondering if the nurse knows how to read them correctly! Like I’m the only woman to ever have those labs drawn! Shame on me for doubting their skills! But anyway…after reading the forums exclusively it makes me sad that we have to live in so much fear of this virus and the stigma attached to it and t. A it. TY again.

[Terri Warren]

So now you need a copy of the actual results so you might post them for me to evaluated so I can be certain the correct testing was done, if you want me to. So often it is not. Herpes is a unique little specialty and with all there is to keep up on with medicine, that sometimes falls by the wayside.

Terri

[terrifiedguilty]

I appreciate it but feel I have to put some trust in my Dr or I’ll never get over this anxiety. I think because she was knowledgeable of the pcr DNA test and aware of the uselessness of the igm should make her pretty qualified. TY again.

[Terri Warren]

Sounds good!

Terri

[terrifiedguilty]

Hello again. It never occurred to me that it’s possible my regular/current partner could’ve stepped out of our relationship as well. I know that I tested too early (2nd day of symptoms). His last test was in June 14′. I had negative tests in October 14′, January 15′, and July 15′. Do you think I should ask him to test again? I’m afraid of what his reaction will be as he is always suspicious of me and very jealous. HePlease help! Any advice is appreciated! Last year in October when I first had the cuts he got very offended that I asked him to retest and refused to do it. Our relationship is very rocky and off/on. I only had the 1 other partner 1 time, but I can’t say for sure about him. He cheated on me in the first year of our almost 3 year relationship and idk what he does when we’re “off”.

[terrifiedguilty]

My symptoms occurred the very next morning after receiving oral sex from my regular partner. I have since had no others since then. Idk if they were the result of that? They were gone in about 2 days, maybe 3 at most. The cut and rash never evolved in to anything. As you can tell, I am still experiencing a great deal of anxiety still. Reading Dr HHH’s reply to another question he once stated that tests always rule out symptoms. I feel like I’d sound crazy (which I feel) if I asked for a copy of my latest lab results, especially since I saw my gyn and discussed them already.

[Terri Warren]

Symptoms occurring the next day are unlikely to be caused by herpes – that’s awfully quick.
Asking for a copy of your lab results for your own records is completely normal – lots of my patients ask for copies of their test results, and I routinely give them out when the results come in so they have a copy via email.
It may put your relationship at risk by asking him to test again. I”m not sure how to guide you there, but hopefully you can go on your own test results at this point, what do you think?

terri

[terrifiedguilty]

Hello Terri, I used the patient portal to look at my lab results and hsv 1 was .82 and hsv 2 was .17, both negative. The test was herpe ab select (maybe I typed it wrong) and drawn on 7/2/15. Do you enough time has passed for retesting just to confirm my negative results? I read about the young woman who went from .9 to 3. something in 6 weeks. I haven’t had anymore issues that look like herpes or cuts rash or spots. Thanks.

[Terri Warren]

I’m so sorry but you’ve asked well beyond the 9 posts you have paid for at this point.

Terri

[terrifiedguilty]

I submitted $20 today. Can you comment now?

[Terri Warren]

I am certain at the 98% level that your HSV 2 is correct. The HSV 1 test I am less certain about. That test is less sensitive, missing 27% of infections. Perhaps you already know you might have HSV 1? Cold sores? Your HSV 1 antibody test score is quite high for a true negative but it could certainly be accurate. If you want to know for certain about HSV 1, then a herpes western blot is a better idea. But I would take HSV 1 off your worry table.

Terri

[terrifiedguilty]

Hi, did you mean I can take HSV2 off my worry table? I am in NY and know Western blot is unavailable. Reading other forums/posts I believe it was once said if a person is going to have it type 1 is the one we want? (Yeah right lol). I don’t think I can deal with the ugly stress of more testing. However I will take your advice. TY so much.

[Terri Warren]

Yes, sorry, I meant HSV 2. We can arrange a western blot even if you live in New York, for sure. And yes, if you have to have genital herpes, you want HSV 1, not HSV 2, as it recurs less and sheds less.

Terri

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