Went to the doctors, terrified I have herpes

[scaredandlost]

I’m white and 18. I’ve had sex with 2 people. My first was also a virgin. We were in a monogamous relationship. My second (Clark) was a rebound. We had condom protected sex 8-10 times in 2 weeks. This ended late November. 1.5 to 2 weeks after Clark, I hooked up with one last guy (Kevin) but we didn’t have sex ever. He did rub his unprotected genitals against my bikini area (not the inner vagina) 3 to 6 times until he finished. These are the symptoms I’ve had:
1. In the 2 weeks after Clark before I met Kevin I didn’t notice any itching/burning/pain/flu like symptoms at all. The first time Kevin and I hooked up, he fingered me. His nails were long and had dirt underneath. he worked construction. It was rough and started to hurt. Afterwards my labia both swelled up and became really tender. It didn’t burn to pee nor did I itch or hurt except the tenderness from the swelling. The swelling went away less than 24 hours later and less than 48 hours later I went to the county health department. They said they saw no sores at all (they looked at my cervix too) but I did have a yeast infection. Took difulcan and was fine. Since then I’ve checked for sores every day. I stopped seeing Kevin at the end of December. Haven’t hooked up with anyone since.
2. In May I noticed a small dark pink patch under clitoral hood. It didn’t hurt or itch at all but I freaked out. Went to emergency clinic less than 24 hours later. Dr. said it looked like irritation and was almost positive it wasn’t herpes (I had worn lacy rough panties the day before without cotton lining). Swabbed it and it came back negative.
3. Diagnosed with molluscum by my primary doctor in June. It’s been there a month. Been getting cryotherapy.
4. Today: notice small shiny red patch in pubic area. Hard to tell what it looked like. Didn’t hurt or itch at all. I hadn’t seen anything prior to today. It kinda looked like it was bleeding but wasn’t. Wasn’t mollscum or where I had cryotherapy though. Went to quick care a few hours ago. Dr. said it didn’t really look like herpes but he was on the fence. He couldn’t definitely tell me it wasn’t. He swabbed it and I got a blood test. I can take a picture if it would help but I don’t want to look. I’m too scared.
5. I did get my first cold sore (or what I think was a cold sore) on the edges of my lips about a month after I stopped seeing Kevin (we did oral). I got another one a month later (neither or these hurt at all or showed any symptoms). I’ve kissed close to 20 guys and have shared drinks but I’m scared it was oral HSV2. Both times they were fairly small. The first responded to Abreva I believe but the second didn’t really seem to.
I’ve talked to both Kevin and Clark months after we stopped seeing each other and both have said they have never had any symptoms of herpes. Based on their reactions I believe them. They’ve also never been tested though. I’m freaking out. I know I’ll know in a week but I need help. I haven’t shaved in a month or a little longer because of the molluscum but I used to shave regularly down there. Clark has been with 3 people prior to me, I don’t know about Kevin. I’m sorry this is so long I wanted to be thorough. All 3 of my partners are white and between the ages of 19 and 20. I did have sex with my original boyfriend (the virgin) after all of this probably 6 times with a condom. He swears he hasn’t had sex with anyone else. Never saw any symptoms. I live in FL which is a hot humid climate.

[Terri Warren]

Hmmm. I’m a little confused about a couple of things. You mention having cold sores twice, but then you said you had no symptoms and they didn’t hurt. How did you know then that you had cold sores? Can you be more specific?
The rate of HSV 2 in people of your age and the age of your partners is about 3%. That’s not very high and just from that statistic, I think HSV 2 orally is unlikely. Also, your sexual contact was limited and with Clark you used condoms with intercourse which was very good indeed. The contact with Kevin was not risk free but it was low risk. Also, your description of the lesion is not suggestive of typical herpes to me.

The swelling and discomfort you had after your encounter with Kevin could certainly be due to long nails and irritation from rough masturbation and very good that it went away quickly.

It sounds like you’ve waited long enough for an accurate herpes test but be CERTAIN it is IgG rather than IgM testing, OK?

Let me know how it goes. I am not worried about herpes at this point from what you have told me so far.

terri

[scaredandlost]

Hi Terri,
Thank you for your response. I will clarify my cold sore situation! In Feb. I got what I believe was my first coldsore (I’ve had canker sores before throughout my life but never anything on my lips). It was on my top lip on a crest so not entirely on the lip. It started out as a raised pink spot and I do have mild acne so I figured it might be a zit. I began icing it daily. I did try to pop it after a few days and it released yellowish fluid not pus. I’ve had pimples do that before but it concerned me. It got crusty and ugly but it didn’t swell except for maybe for a few hours one night several days after having it (it lasted a week or so). I went to a nurse but by that point she couldn’t tell. It seemed to respond to abreva. It didn’t hurt unless I squeezed it. A month later I got a small white head on my bottom lip (not on the lip but on the edge of it). I popped it and it turned into a red blister which also didn’t hurt or swell. It looked red like it was filled with blood but definitely blistery. It never burst I don’t think it just kind of faded away (but I could be wrong as it was a while ago). I’m scared these might be HSV2 since I gave Kevin oral. However the coldsores weren’t severe and I’ve heard oral HSV2 usually doesn’t recur like mine did and is in the throat and all over and very painful.
As far as the genital issue, I’m very scared because my doctor couldn’t definitely tell me it wasn’t herpes (although he told me it was good he couldn’t say it for sure was which I heartily agree with). I asked him to give me a percent chance of how likely it was herpes and he said 10% but when I asked again he said he was just guessing. I couldn’t see a clear blistery head when I first noticed it but I didn’t look too closely I just panicked. I check myself down there everyday because of my anxiety and had never seen it before that morning. The pics I attached are of what the spot looked like yesterday and this morning (both after being scraped-I didn’t take a before). The lighter colored one is from today. To me it sort of looks like a hair is growing out of it but it’s really hard to tell and I’m trying not to mess with it. It’s definitely at least at the base of a hair follicle. The pictures were taken using a magnifying app with a flashlight built in. It still doesn’t hurt at all.
What are the risks from unprotected frottage? I believe I read on medhelp somewhere from dr. Handsfield (I may be mistaken) that almost all new cases of herpes involve penetrative sex, but there was a good amount of grinding with Kevin. Also, is it a good sign that neither Kevin nor Clark has ever experienced any suspicious sores? I’ve talked with them both about it extensively and as I said I do think they are being honest. I do know that asymptomatic shedding is possible though. Also, if it were herpes should the spot I had looked at have hurt? Sorry to fire all those questions at you, I’m just trying to get the most information possible. I know ultimately what will be will be, but I’m so scared and I still have another week to go before i get my results.
Could me having had chicken pox as a kid and (potentially) HSV1 impact my HSV2 results at all? I know the swab will really be what determines everything but I’ve heard false blood positives exist. Thank you for your time, I most likely will not post again until I get my results as I believe I only have one left, but if I do I will renew my subscription!

[scaredandlost]

Well I’d say this picture is confirmation I have herpes. For a month the picture I attached was literally just a small white spot with a tiny bit of redness around it. Literally an entire month. My dr. looked at it over 3 weeks ago now and said it was molluscum and froze it but it didn’t go away it just stayed the same (a tiny tiny white spot). Didn’t hurt at all or itch. It is in the crease where my leg meets my groin. Well today, the spot swelled up to this size and developed that head. It still doesn’t hurt whatsoever but there’s not a doubt in my mind that this is herpes. I’m literally hyperventilating right now. I wish I had a picture of the before because it honestly wasn’t until I looked today (hadn’t checked on it in two days so this is very recent) that it was so small and tiny. How could a herpes bump last a month without growing larger and then turning into this mess? I don’t understand I’m so scared. Please help me.

[scaredandlost]

It didn’t let me attach my photo. Will I be charged again? Also, this is on the other side of where the bump my doctor swabbed was and far away from it.

[Terri Warren]

Herpes normally does not have a white head – it tends to be clear fluid inside instead of pus but obviously I cannot say for sure. Your sexual history really doesn’t present as high risk for herpes. Herpes lesions do not stay around for weeks. If you were my patient, I would ask that come in to the office with this (had you sent me the picture) and have another swab test done and an evaluation. This could easily be something other than herpes and you need perhaps another visit.
I can feel from your post that you are pretty frantic and I understand that this is scary, but your experience with Kevin , though not zero risk, was low risk.

Would you consider another doctor visit today?

Terri

[scaredandlost]

Hi Terri,
Thank you for your response. I’m not sure how many posts I have left (I’m assuming either this one or none) so if I need to pay again please let me know as I would hate to abuse this great service. I should be getting the results for my blood and swab test next week (fingers crossed for the best) so I don’t want to go into the dr. before then.
An update to the most recent pic: I didn’t want to pop it so I put a warm cotton ball on it to see what would happen. Each time I did so a few pinpricks of yellow would appear on the cotton ball so it was draining. I did the same thing today and got another tiny pinprick of yellow stuff. It has shrank in size. I posted on medhelp and one regular responder said it was most likely bacterial because it was draining when compressed. As I mentioned, this appeared far away from and on the other side of the thing my doctor swabbed. My questions are:
1. Could this be a primary outbreak? I haven’t had sex in a few months (I got back with the guy who was my first time who swears he hasn’t been with anyone other than me-always condom protected).
2. I mentioned the clinic dr. said it didn’t really look like herpes and was “on the fence”. He also chanced it at 10% for being herpes. Should this be very concerning to me that he couldn’t immediately tell me it was not?
3. Can herpes spots be very spread apart? I heard they mainly recur in a localized area on the same side.
4. Is herpes typically painful? I know sometimes it’s not but generally is it?
5. I know this is a pathetic question and I apologize, but in your years have you ever seen something that looks kinda like herpes but isn’t? Do you ever have really scared people come in convinced they have it and don’t? I know it’s a stupid question but it’s reassuring to hear not everyone who thinks they have herpes actually does.
Hopefully the pics appear in order but the first should be what it looked like after draining yesterday & the second two pictures of today after draining again (one with a magnifying app).

• This reply was modified 7 years, 6 months ago by scaredandlost.

[Terri Warren]

Yes, you are out of questions. If you would like to talk some more, feel free to renew

Terri

[scaredandlost]

Hi Terri,
I purchased follow up questions but I am seeing now that we can no longer post pictures? I had a couple non graphic images I wanted to submit which is a large reason why I paid the $20 to renew my subscription. Is there a way I can do that still? I feel like I won’t be able to accurately describe what’s going on without the images as it is hard to explain.
I got the results of my herpes test this past Thursday. The tests were done at the clinic I went to (it’s a quality clinic though) and the blood and swabs were done by LabCorp.
-My swab test came back negative for both types although the nurse did drop the swab on the floor when the doctor handed it to her on accident (on my sheet it says HSV 1/2 PCR).
-The blood tests were HSV1 and 2-Specific Ab, IgG (so it was an IgG test not IgM). I didn’t get exact values but it says ” <.91″ which is negative (doctor confirmed this).
Can I trust these results? Clark and I’s relationship ended before Thanksgiving (so late November 2014) and Kevin and I ended just before New Years so late December 2014. Since then I did get back with my ex (the one where we lost our virginity to each other) and he swears he hasn’t been with anyone but me. I believe the last time we had sex (condom protected always) was 3 months ago (maybe 2.5). Would this give me enough time to seroconvert? I heard some people never seroconvert and that IgG is only 93% accurate for detecting HSV2 even 6 months post exposure (or 3 if my boyfriend lied to me and did sleep with someone else-I’ll never be fully sure although I want to believe him). My immune system is really good so I’m wondering if I’m suppressing it. Should I pursue a Western Blot? I want to accept these results and be done but it’s hard because I still have weird things going on down there.
The photo I was going to attach is of the front of my bikini area. I haven’t shaved down there in nearly 2 months due to molluscum. I’ve gotten cryotherapy twice now. I still have scattered pink bumps/spots throughout my pubic area (I count 5 or 6 but they aren’t in a cluster they’re all at least a half inch away from each other or more). Some of them look kind of like molluscum but some are just splotchy pink looking. One of them feels like a firm pink bump. I don’t see how they could be folliculitis since I haven’t shaved although most are on a hair follicle but without hair growing directly from them. They don’t hurt at all or itch. They aren’t blister like but I know herpes takes many forms. I’m very concerned that this isn’t molluscum especially with the pink pigmentation and since I can’t see the white waxy head in all of them.
I’m also worried the test results weren’t accurate because I could’ve sworn I had mild HSV1 because of what I described previously.
If you could offer any insight into my situation and what i should do going forward I would be very grateful. I plan on making my bf (the guy who has only been with me) get tested for herpes as well just to see.

[Terri Warren]

We did stop allowing pictures to be posted. I had some advice that offering opinions based on pictures is a little too close to practicing medicine on the computer and that’s NOT what i want to be doing. Sorry about that.
However, if your IgG test was negative 6 months after your last contact with someone other than your regular partner, then I think you should believe the IgG test. It picks up 97 out of 100 HSV 2 infections. Have I got my dates right there?

Terri

[scaredandlost]

That’s too bad, I thought it was a great feature of the website especially considering your expertise. But I suppose I do understand.
Yes. Clark and I ended our relationship in November 2014 and Kevin and I’s relationship ended in late December 2014 and I haven’t had any new partners since then. I haven’t had sex with my original boyfriend in 3 months (I just did the timeline) and I had him go get tested as well just to see (he should have the results next week). When we had sex 3 months ago it was one time and condom protected. Prior to that we hadn’t had sex since mid February so a little over 5 months. My IGG blood test was done Friday (July 24 I think it was). So that would be 7 months post exposure from Kevin who was my last new partner.
Would it make sense to do the IGG again in say a month or so? Or should I trust it based on the timeline? The statistic about it picking up HSV2 infections made me feel better but I’m still concerned. I don’t want to keep stressing myself out nor do I want to shell out more money to continue testing but I want to be absolutely sure that I don’t have it.
Also, is LabCorp reliable?
Thank you for your responses to this. I’m unbelievably grateful that my results came back negative especially so long post exposure I just want to be absolutely sure. Thank you again for your time.

[Terri Warren]

I think you can trust it based on the timeline, yes. LabCorp is reliable, yes. I’m so happy about your results, really great news, but a result that I fully expected 😉
Terri

[scaredandlost]

Hi Terri,

I appreciate all your time and am very happy about the results as well. However, I’m still having some issues. I’m not sure if you remember but I posted a picture of a white zit type thing that was in the fold of my groin that had been there a month before suddenly growing. Well that disappeared i believed after draining it with hot cotton balls a few times but I now have 2 more pinkish bumps and from what I can see they appear to have faint white heads. I haven’t shaved in nearly 2 months now. The bumps don’t hurt or itch but they are only on one side. I don’t know what is causing them but it is making me fear that I do have HSV2 and I just didn’t seroconvert or something. I want to believe my results and move on but it’s hard to do that when there are still weird things going on down there. I do live in central FL which is a hot environment but that’s about it. I’m not overweight (I’m only about 100 lbs at 5’2″) and unfortunately I’m not particularly active either (I hate working out).
I also had a bump in the front of my bikini area that didn’t hurt or itch and was firm. After about 5 days I squeezed it a little (bad I know) and a tiny ball of puss came out followed by a fair amount of blood (popping it didn’t hurt). It was on a hair follicle. I guess my questions are:
1. Based on my symptoms would you recommend further HSV testing?
2. Is there a feasible possibility that I just never seroconverted?
3. If not herpes, what the heck could possibly be going on down there?
4. The clinic that did my tests does IGG and IGM (I’m fairly sure you say to basically ignore IGM). I never got my IGM results though just IGG. I read online (I didn’t ask the clinic) that they only show the IGM tests if it comes back positive. Since I never saw my IGM results should i assume they came back negative?
It felt so amazing and wonderful to get negative test results back but it’s so hard to completely trust them when two more bumps have appeared and I get random folliculitis sometimes. It makes me so sad because I just want to move on from this with all the new knowledge I have so I can protect myself in the future. I believe this is my third follow up question. I tried to get into my primary care doctor today but she is away until Monday and I am leaving town until Wednesday I believe. I’m very reluctant to go into the clinic again and pay $100. Thank you for your patience in answering all of my questions, I just want to get on with my life!

[Terri Warren]

Honestly, I don’t think you have herpes. You’ve had two partners, one a virgin, you are 18 so the chances are so very low! I wish you would not get into the herpes worry pattern! If you have specific things on your skin that you are worried about, go to Planned Parenthood – they will see you on a sliding scale. Then you can learn that these are not HSV 2.

Terri

[scaredandlost]

Hi Terri,
Unfortunately my herpes scare isn’t over. Since my testing I’ve only had one minute of condom protected sex with my original boyfriend who has been with nobody but me. I haven’t had oral either. Well today I was doing my daily check of my entire downstairs when I noticed “cuts” around my anus. To be more specific, they are in the wrinkly skin around my anus more towards the vagina (not on the perineum or anything though). They don’t hurt or itch that I can feel. There’s about 5 of them and only on one side. They are kind of spread out. I have a small hemorrhoid but that’s it. I wear thongs occasionally. They aren’t linear, they are circular and smaller than a pencil head. I’ve never had anal sex. This is the first time I’ve ever noticed any cuts there ever and trust me I’m always on the lookout. I don’t think I’ve been constipated or straining really and even if I were slightly wouldn’t the cuts be on both sides and closer to the anus? I’m freaking out.
Additionally, I have this recurring bump. It’s happened twice. It’s on my pubic area near the front. It doesn’t hurt or itch. I popped it the first time and it leaked a little blood then sealed up and was like a tiny blood bump. It felt more firm but I don’t know. It came back about 2 months later in the exact spot. Small and yellowy colored. 2 derms said it was too small, in the wrong place, and too painless to be herpes and that there wasn’t anything to swab. Didn’t really scab just kind of faded away although I did get a little crusty off of it after 4 or 5 days then it became invisible.
I’m freaking out. I think about herpes 24/7 and the tiny cuts around my anus confirmed my fears. What’s the liklihood of the IGG missing an HSV2 infection? What if it missed an HSV1 infection and that’s delaying my HSV2? What should i do I’m so terrified I don’t ever want sex again. This is seriously screwing me up I’m miserable.

[Terri Warren]

The chances that the antibody test missed an HSV 2 infection is 2 out of 100. If you are still worried, you can get a herpes western blot test – our clinic can arrange that for you. That may help you feel reassured but again, I think the chances are so small that you have HSV 2 based on the contacts and your age as well.

I would very strongly suggest that you go in and have a professional look at and swab these cuts. Have you already gone? If not, why not? The sooner you go, the more accurate the swab tests will be.

Terri

[scaredandlost]

I couldn’t get a swab. Idk how long they were there. I didn’t notice them until 11/1 although I saw one tiny cut type thing on 10/25 and more may have come by around 10/30 and they were gone by 11/3 which is when I had my appointment. There were about 6 tiny ones total. I showed Dr. a pic at their most obvious and she said it looked more like an irritation. I accepted this and tried to move on. However, I’ve been looking daily to see (by taking pics, my camera roll is filled with anuses lol) and today there appears to be one tiny one coming again just like a little cut not a blister or anything. It’s on the wrinkly skin surrounding my anus not on it. Doesn’t hurt/itch & it hasn’t even been 2 weeks since the last ones went away. I haven’t worn thongs or been constipated and I’ve been using hemorrhoid wipes.
A girl on here said she kept testing IGG negative but tested WB positive for type 2 even though people said she didn’t have it (I think she dated an HSV2+ man). I live in FL and am reluctant to pay $300+ for a WB but I don’t know what else to do. I can’t keep paying to get swabs done and often it’s hard to get an appointment in time.
My questions: What would you do Terri? Should I trust my IGG and assume that there’s something else going on? Should I pay for a WB? Does it sound like herpes and if not what could be causing it? I’ve never had anal sex and haven’t had any contact since my testing. Should I go get a second IGG? Do the Labcorp HSV 2 tests only miss 2 out of 100? They literally look like tiny little cuts like I might get if I shaved back there. Little nicks in the skin. They don’t really feel like much. I don’t get how I could already have another one when it hasn’t even been 2 weeks. I need guidance so badly and unfortunately I don’t have any access to sexual health experts.

[Terri Warren]

So your antibody test is negative. You’ve had only partner (Clark) that is a possibility. The doc who looked at the pictures didn’t think it was herpes. I don’t either. I personally would believe the negative IgG test and move on with my life. You asked me what I would do – that’s what I would do!

Terri

[scaredandlost]

Hi Terri,my bf and I were broken up over the Summer. I dated someone else. This guy is 24. He and I never had sex or oral. He never had HSV symptoms and said he didn’t have anything. Our contact was: I sat on him for a minute or so in my undies and him not & there may have been a few seconds of unprotected contact. Another time there was maybe some brief unprotected contact.This ended before Halloween 2015.My bf and I got back together. I didn’t get tested after the other guy bc we never had sex or contact besides those 2 times.My bf swears he’s never been with anyone else.My bf and I have had sex a handful of times since (always protected, him without visual symptoms, and lasting 3 mins/less). This week he got an IGG prescription and is getting tested for my peace of mind.My worry is: 3 weeks ago I got a bump on my labia majora just where the pubic hairline ends (there’s a couple hairs nearby). I figured it was a pimple/clogged pore. It drained leaving dryish pink skin.1.5 weeks later it refilled with a yellow/white pus.It drained in the shower.After 3 weeks it’s 2 yellow scabs right on the edge of my pubic hair. It never hurt/itched even when touched. Given the timeline I don’t think it could be a primary OB. They are about 2 mm. It never looked like an ulcer. Idk if it could be folliculitis bc it’s on the edge of the pubic line where the hair is sparse. I never got a swab bc I didn’t think they could be HSV. If my bf’s test comes back neg should I get another blood test? It would be 4 months post exposure from the last person. What else could this be?I’ve had regular folliculitis get a yellow scab (after I tested neg and before any contact) but since it’s not in a very hairy area I’m scared. Also, my right groin lymph node swelled in Jan for a few days and was tender but no visual or other symptoms. What else could this be? If my bf tests negative should I test? I’m worried and I already know I’m stupid and hate myself. I need to not touch people ever.

[Terri Warren]

Sitting on him for a moment is not a risk for HSV. And the bump that you describe does not sound like herpes to me, I don’t think swabbing was necessary. If your boyfriend’s test comes back negative, I think you can most certainly put these concerns to rest. Please don’t hate yourself – you’ve done a great job of practicing very safe sexual contact with these other partners AND your boyfriend though I know this is a big scary thing for you. The bumps do sound more like folliculitis to me. Let’s see how your boyfriend’s test come out and go from there. I think you are going to have to do some hard work to get past these fears, even if he tests negative, though.

You have one final question on this subscription – just keeping track for both of us!

Terri

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

[scaredandlost]

Hi Terri
My bf and I broke up after 4 years on and off, so he won’t be getting tested. I just wanted to clarify the location. It was right at the inner edge of the labia majora just where the pubic line ends and level with my clitoris (not on it, it was on the labia majora). There were 2 spots but it was 1 in the beginning. It wasn’t fluid filled, it looked like molluscum to me & acted like a couple bumps I had (it was a small pink bump that I think was firm and a tiny white head) but bc it changed in a week I don’t think it was. Later it looked like a popped/infected vaginal fordcyde spot or something (idk if that’s possible). So I guess it looked more wet than dry maybe? It’s so hard to explain. It refilled with yellow pus after over a week which drained and left 2 small yellow scabs which concerns me. Could folliculitis act like this? It lasted 3 weeks or close to and occurred after just over a month of no sexual contact.
Theoretically if my ex had slept with someone (he’s 20) a time/2 and he and I had condom protected sex 10-15 times for about 3 mins/time would I be at a great risk? He didn’t have noticeable visual symptoms and I inspected pretty closely.
I also worry about my lymph node issue back in Jan. It was one side and no other symptoms. I couldn’t see swelling but it felt like a hard pea almost to the touch and was tender.
Also if the other guy (he was 24 at the time) and I had unprotected contact (no penetration) for maybe up to a minute w/o visual symptoms (I drank a bit so I can’t remember exactly) would that be really risky?
Between the breakup and everything I don’t know what to do. What would you recommend? Would you be worrying? Should I get blood tested again in May? Did I screw up not getting a swab? I thought it was molluscum/folliculitis so I didn’t worry. I highly respect your opinion and thank you for your patience with me.

[Terri Warren]

A swab would definitely have helped to clarify the picture, yes. But what’s past is past. but if you get another one, please, go and see a clinician and get a swab test.
I don’t recall the timing of your last contact (other than one minute of condom protected sex which is so low risk I’m not going to count that one). If it has been four months or more ago, you can test again for added reassurance, yes. I honestly can’t tell from your description what’s up and that is best done in person by an experienced clinician.

Terri

[scaredandlost]

Hi Terri, I renewed. I am taking an IGG Wednesday so it’ll be 3 months post exposure. Idk if there’s much you can say, but I’m scared. My worry is the lymph node issue. It started around Jan. 10 and lasted 3-5 days. It was on my right side, the opposite side that my bump occurred a few weeks later. The node felt like a hard pea and was tender when I pressed it. I didn’t feel sick & had no lesions I could see or feel. Is this concerning? Dr. Handsfield has said on medhelp that it would be unusual for HSV to cause lymph node enlargement and tenderness without overt symptoms, but did not say impossible. My immune system is good so maybe that suppressed it?

I spoke with the guy I had contact with (the 24 y/o) and he said we never had sex but as I said there could have been maybe 5 minutes unprotected contact (me on him and neither of us in underwear). I believe him when he says he’s never had symptoms so if he does have something he doesn’t know.I also believe the person I had sex with (ex) has ever been w/ anyone else (we were each other’s firsts for everything and then hit a rough patch). Also, I realized through pics I had taken (they were dated) that the bump I spoke to you about was probably there about 13-17 days without changing at all. It was there before V-day and the pic was taken 2/24 and still looked the same. Then filled with white/yellow pus which drained and then formed two yellow crusts. I didn’t think HSV could over 2 weeks without changing at all.

I just worry that the groin issue I had was my body fighting off HSV. As I said, I really don’t think I had any other symptoms going on bc there was no flu like issues, burning, itching, redness, or lesions I could see. I’ve read that the only things that really cause lymph node issues in the groin are STDs especially since I had some tenderness. Would 3 months be conclusive for me? Should I be taking the IGG again? My contact has been minimal since my last testing but I’m so scared that it was enough.

[Terri Warren]

I think another IgG taken at 3 months is appropriate. The lymph node could have been reactive for many reasons, including something as simple as an ingrown toenail! Let me know what you get back, OK?

Terri

[scaredandlost]

Hi Terri

I got tested Wednesday and received my results today from Labcorp (that was fast!). The nurse/gynecologist at my student health center who ordered my test attached the lab report and then sent a follow up message saying that my tests for HSV were negative. It was the IGG test and both HSV 1 and 2 are negative. However, the format of the report is a little hard to read. On my last test is said “result: <.91” but on this one it says “in range <.91” does that mean the same thing? There are no other numbers besides the <.91. The two tests I’ve taken were both Labcorp tests.

Also, can I take these results as conclusive? I know 16 weeks is optimal but I really couldn’t wait so I did 12 weeks. Since I’m negative for HSV 1 (at least according to my lab results) should I assume that I don’t have any delayed seroconversion? Can I assume that the symptoms I experienced were caused by something else? They were never anything classic, at least not to me but I’m not a doctor of course. Or would you recommend I get tested again? Sorry to fire so many questions at you, I’m just really happy that my results are negative and I want to move on so badly. This has been the source of a lot of anxiety and sleepless nights for me and I’m just eager to not be up until 3 am worrying. I will do whatever you recommend though, because you have so much expertise and experience. Thank you for being there for me again!

[Terri Warren]

Twelve weeks is the recommended waiting time for the IgG test – 16 weeks for western blot which is a more complicated test. Your results do read as negative. The screening test misses one of four HSV 1 infections, so you can interpret that as best you can, given those numbers. If the primary concern is HSV 1, then you may wish to consider the western blot to get more accuracy, but wait until 16 weeks.

This is your final post on this subscription – if you have more questions, please feel free to renew.

Terri

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