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Confusing results
I'm male, 29 yrs old, and just married for 1 yr.
2-3 weeks ago I had sort-of-a rash on my penis, near the pubic area. It was very itchy, and this was not the first time. I never really care about this before. Because I thought it was just a small rash (because it usually happens after I trim or shave my pubic hair). Also I have a sensitive skin, i easily get itchy almost in every part of my body (probably because of dryness). First it was just a red rash and itchy on my penis, later they're becoming like bubbles and clustered (around 1/2 cm). Later the bubbles popped, and at the end they just dried out, and they're gone. I never really care before, because usually its never popped and they just dried out and disappear. However this time I went to see a doctor for a check.
The first doctor immediately told me that it was Herpes (by visual examination). The second doctor said the same thing(also by visual exam). However I decided to do a blood tests (IgG & IgM Specific type), but the results were all negatives.
IgG HSV 1 - negative
IgG HSV 2 - negative
IgM HSV 1 - negative
IgM HSV 2 - negative
The first doctor told me probably it was a Herpes Zooster?? however I didn't believe it.
I decided to see a 3rd doctor. The 3rd doctor can't really tell what it was, because my rash is already healed, so there's nothing to see. Therefore the doctor told me to do another blood test, and the results were positive, as follow:
Herpes Simplex total antibody titre:32
Herpes Simplex IgM is negative,
Varicella-Zoster IgM negative
Varicella-Zoster IgG positive
I'm really confused whether I do really have Herpes or not. Back in 2004/2005, I went to a massage parlor where they did a handjob (with no protection), could this be the infection? I also remember when I was a child (around 7-8 yrs old) i had sort of a coldsore on my mouth (clustered, visually resemble the HSV-1), but it never recur again.
I'm really depressed. My wife is a virgin when she married me, and I might infect her with this terrible disease. We're also planning to have a child, but I also hear a lot of negatives considering the risks that they may cause to the baby. I'm really worried about my wife. I really don't know what to do right know. It seems our future just suddenly disappear because of my foolishness and stupidity.
2-3 weeks ago I had sort-of-a rash on my penis, near the pubic area. It was very itchy, and this was not the first time. I never really care about this before. Because I thought it was just a small rash (because it usually happens after I trim or shave my pubic hair). Also I have a sensitive skin, i easily get itchy almost in every part of my body (probably because of dryness). First it was just a red rash and itchy on my penis, later they're becoming like bubbles and clustered (around 1/2 cm). Later the bubbles popped, and at the end they just dried out, and they're gone. I never really care before, because usually its never popped and they just dried out and disappear. However this time I went to see a doctor for a check.
The first doctor immediately told me that it was Herpes (by visual examination). The second doctor said the same thing(also by visual exam). However I decided to do a blood tests (IgG & IgM Specific type), but the results were all negatives.
IgG HSV 1 - negative
IgG HSV 2 - negative
IgM HSV 1 - negative
IgM HSV 2 - negative
The first doctor told me probably it was a Herpes Zooster?? however I didn't believe it.
I decided to see a 3rd doctor. The 3rd doctor can't really tell what it was, because my rash is already healed, so there's nothing to see. Therefore the doctor told me to do another blood test, and the results were positive, as follow:
Herpes Simplex total antibody titre:32
Herpes Simplex IgM is negative,
Varicella-Zoster IgM negative
Varicella-Zoster IgG positive
I'm really confused whether I do really have Herpes or not. Back in 2004/2005, I went to a massage parlor where they did a handjob (with no protection), could this be the infection? I also remember when I was a child (around 7-8 yrs old) i had sort of a coldsore on my mouth (clustered, visually resemble the HSV-1), but it never recur again.
I'm really depressed. My wife is a virgin when she married me, and I might infect her with this terrible disease. We're also planning to have a child, but I also hear a lot of negatives considering the risks that they may cause to the baby. I'm really worried about my wife. I really don't know what to do right know. It seems our future just suddenly disappear because of my foolishness and stupidity.
Best Answer
odds are your hsv2 is a false positive. your wife was a virgin, it's not even worth any follow up testing on them at this point to be honest with the cost of sending the test to the US.
a visual diagnosis of herpes is wrong 1/3 of the time. odds are whatever your rash was, it wasn't herpes related.
grace
a visual diagnosis of herpes is wrong 1/3 of the time. odds are whatever your rash was, it wasn't herpes related.
grace
fever blisters and cold sores ARE HSV1 and HSV never goes away but lives dormant in your body....what could have happened is transfer...if you are giving your wife oral she can contract HSV1 on her genitalia and give it to you...or like Grace had mentioned she still could be infected with HSV1 orally herself even if she was a virgin and you received it orally. My doctors told me that sometimes HSV1 can convert itself into HSV2 if it changes location. The HSV1 virus is usually stored in the spinal nerve in the top of your back between your shoulder blades and the HSV2 virus in the lower spine in the small of your back...and that sometimes one can convert into the other. Oh, and I noticed on your FIRST post that you were positive for Zoster which is chickenpox/shingles and yes you can get them in your sensitive area...but Grace is right...the only way to definitely KNOW which one is causing your outbreak is to have the fluid cultured during your next outbreak...which hopefully for you will not be any time soon
Dear Grace,
I haven't got a chance to test myself with WB, due to the availability here in Jakarta, Indonesia. However I'm planning to go to Singapore to have the test there and send the blood sample to US.
My wife already been tested with the regular test (they don't mention what type it was), and the results were all negatives (IGG/IGM HSV1/2).
I also tested myself again, and the result came back:
Anti HSV-1 IgG 1.19 (positive)
Anti HSV-2 IgG 1.11 (positive)
I understand that it's low positive, but this is the 2nd test that said low positive.
Could it still be false positive??
Herpesmand
I haven't got a chance to test myself with WB, due to the availability here in Jakarta, Indonesia. However I'm planning to go to Singapore to have the test there and send the blood sample to US.
My wife already been tested with the regular test (they don't mention what type it was), and the results were all negatives (IGG/IGM HSV1/2).
I also tested myself again, and the result came back:
Anti HSV-1 IgG 1.19 (positive)
Anti HSV-2 IgG 1.11 (positive)
I understand that it's low positive, but this is the 2nd test that said low positive.
Could it still be false positive??
Herpesmand
your hsv1 igg is just barely positive.
your hsv2 igg is a low positive and needs confirmed with further testing. odds are it's a false positive. A herpes Wb is the best test to use to confirm your hsv2 status.
grace
your hsv2 igg is a low positive and needs confirmed with further testing. odds are it's a false positive. A herpes Wb is the best test to use to confirm your hsv2 status.
grace
I just did a blood test again, and the results are as follow:
Anti HSV-1 IgG 1.1 (positive)
Anti HSV-1 IgM 0.2 (negative)
Anti HSV-2 IgG 1.9 (positive)
Anti HSV-2 IgM 0.4 (negative)
I guess I'm definitely HSV positive for both type??
Anti HSV-1 IgG 1.1 (positive)
Anti HSV-1 IgM 0.2 (negative)
Anti HSV-2 IgG 1.9 (positive)
Anti HSV-2 IgM 0.4 (negative)
I guess I'm definitely HSV positive for both type??
even though your wife was a virgin when you married her, she could still have hsv1 orally and transmit it to your genital area. a lesion culture of active symptoms is the only way to properly diagnose hsv1 genitally.
you might be better off just using a body hair trimmer to keep the pubic hair cut low instead of shaving it all off. easier to maintain, less irritating to your genital skin and to your wife when you have razor stubble too.
grace
you might be better off just using a body hair trimmer to keep the pubic hair cut low instead of shaving it all off. easier to maintain, less irritating to your genital skin and to your wife when you have razor stubble too.
grace
I did shave my pubic hair before my first occurence/outbreak, that's why I never really notice the outbreaks. I thought it was just a minor rash.
Thank you for the inputs. I will have it checked for lesion culture when it reappear again.
However could one of the blood test results be in-accurate (false)?
However could one of the blood test results be in-accurate (false)?
are you sure they arnt ingrown hairs? my husband has bumps all over him and thats what it is. have you done anything to irratate your skin?
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
you won't get herpes from a handjob either.
At this point your herpes tests are negative. best thing to do is next time you have them, be seen promptly for a further work up. if they suspect herpes, they need to do a lesion culture and typing.
grace