Reply To: Confusing results and symptoms

[LookingForHelp123]

Hi Terri,

Thank you for your response. I am worried there is something wrong that is not being caught with either him or myself. Unfortunately, where we live it is very hard to get a culture, both times with his outbreaks his PCP, private clinic and dermatologist never cultured it. This last time it happened to me, I called several urgent cares, local health district and my doctors, and most wanted to only do the blood test because they said they believe it’s more “accurate” and without being able to get in quickly I am afraid that my culture is incorrect or on the off chance it is correct, some underlying infection is being missed. My reactions have looked quite different from his, he had typical clusters at the base of his penis. Mine show as random sores in various locations, they also don’t have that tingly feeling I’m used to getting before a cold sore. His last encounter with his previous partner was in late November/early December. My previous partner was only a couple weeks prior to him.

-That is why I’m wondering if you have ever come across someone in a situation similar and had it turn out to be some kind of fungal or bacterial infection, even a different type of viral infection?
-Is there somewhere I can get a culture kit myself so if it happens again I can swab immediately?
-Should I wait until the one year mark and try another blood test to rule out an genital HSV2 infection?
-I’ve had some people mention that mine could be genital HSV1 but I was under the assumption that would be extremely rare given I’ve had oral HSV1 since I was around 4 or 5 years old. Is that correct?