Your symptoms sound classically like herpes of the nipple to me. The culture was positive because it is herpes (very likely HSV 1) and the PCR is not a test for herpes in the blood and I have no idea why it was done. Are you sure it wasn't an antibody test from the blood? I would expect, since this sounds like your first infection, that this was an antibody test, not a PCR test from the blood, and that it is negative for HSV 1 and 2 because this was your first infection with HSV. The severity of your symptoms sound consistent with first infection also. Generally speaking, a positive culture combined with a negative antibody test indicates first infection. There is virus present on the skin sufficient to yield a positive culture but not enough time has passed to have made antibody to the virus.
Herpes on the nipple is not that uncommon, and acquired just the way you are describing it happening. Has your husband had visible cold sores in the past?
Terri
My husband has never seen anything on him and neither have I. The test result literally says,
HSV I DNA PCR Result Negative, Reference Negative
HSV II DNA PCR Result Negative, Reference Negative
Tomorrow I get the results of my IGM and IGG blood tests.
It doesn't say if the PCR is from the lesion or the blood. Or does it? I think some clinicians are confused about the use of the PCR test. It should be from lesions only, not blood.
Terri
They didn't touch my blisters at the ER. It was definitely blood.
Shouldn't I have antibodies in my blood by now if my husband has had it all along? What are the chances we have been having unprotected sex and I didn't get it until 2 1/2 years into our marriage? That's a lot of unprotected sex and kissing and rubbing and everything else without ever getting it until now...don't you think? Could it be possible that I have impetigo instead of Herpes?
But it was cultured at urgent care and was positive for herpes right>
Couples go many years without transmitting either oral or genital herpes to their partner. I think in your case, the very rough biting of the nipples probably combined with viral shedding from his mouth resulted in in infection where other contacts had not.
If the culture from urgent care was positive, the blisters are herpetic not impetigo. I suppose your could have gotten a secondary infection from impetigo, but I seriously doubt it.
This does not need to be a big issue for you and your husband. You should have antiviral therapy on hand so that if you feel another one coming, you can treat. Speak with your doctor about the dose, etc. I really think you will be fine!
Terri
I got my IGM and IGG back and they are both negative for Herpes.
Which is very consistent with what sounds like a first infection.
Terri