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General Herpes Question

Before I ask my questions, let me give a little background.  I'm a 39 y/o male.  I was taken advantage of by another guy while I was quite incapacitated by drink (I don't know who, only that I woke up the next morning in my hotel room feeling very violated).  I didn't report (have my reasons).  Two weeks after, got sick with what felt like really bad cold symptoms (felt run-down, neck lymph nodes were a little swollen, slight fever) but I was traveling, so I might have picked something up that way, don't know.  The swelling in my lymph nodes went down, but didn't seem to ever fully go away.  Anyway, flash-forward to mid August, I start to feel some sensitivity in my genital region, on my scrotum, and on my penis (head, not shaft).  After a couple weeks of this, I noticed two small (about 1 mm) bumps just under the head of my penis.  Not wart-like, but not blisters either.  Also got a slight itchy/stinging sensation while urinating- not terribly painfull, just slight.  Of course, I'm very nervous at this point, so I schedule an appointment with my provider and was seen in the second week of September.  I explained what happened and she gave me a full exam, said it didn't look like herpes to her, but only a test would determine that.  She ran quite a few tests (CBC, HIV, Herpes, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, a few others I don't know) and prescribed Valtrex and an antibiotic for yeast.  The results came back this week and I was told all tests came back negative... there were slight "anomalies" in my CBC, but not anything to worry about (so the nurse on the phone said)... not sure what to think here.  I've already made a follow-up appointment to discuss with my provider, but that's not until the second week in October, so I though I'd see what anyone on this board might know...  I'm still feeling the sensitivity in my genitals, still have the two small bumps under the head, and still don't have an answer.

1.  Is it possible that one or more of the tests might have been a false negative?  
2.  Are false negatives very rare?
3.  Have you ever heard of something like this?

I don't know what else to ask or add right now, but perhaps your reply might generate some more.  Thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide.
Best Answer
101028 tn?1419603004
none of your symptoms sound like genital  herpes. not sure why you were given valtrex.

I wouldn't doubt your test results.

hard to tell what they meant regarding your cbc results. obviously you aren't anemic or have a high white count or the doctor would've called you with orders for medications. anything else, isn't really of much meaning most times.

you had urine testing done also when you were seen?

grace
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Avatar universal
OK, so here's an update:  I still have no resolution as to what's happening with my body.  All tests so far have come back negative.  I have been tested for HIV, HSV, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, as well as having standard blood work done.  My doctor has now referred me to a urologist to address the pain/itch while urinating.  She is at a loss as to to what might be wrong.  The question I'd like to pose at this point is whether anyone else has been through something similar?  My symptoms: redness that comes and goes on my genitals (penis head in particular), genital irritation, a couple of bumps under the head of my penis, persistent swelling feeling in my throat and frequent irritation in throat, slight pain in testicles/lower abdominal area, with negative results on all tests run?

Last sexual encounter was early Feb '12
HIV/Gonorrhea/Chlamydia/Syphilis tests in Mar '12 (all neg)
HIV test in May '12 (all neg)
HIV/Gonorrhea/Chlamydia/Syphilis/herpes tests in Sep '12 (7 months post possible exposure) (all neg)

I would like to hear any and all opinions...  thank you in advance!
Helpful - 0
101028 tn?1419603004
glad you are finally getting answers :)

the vast majority of folks test accurately by 6 months. I'd stop worrying about herpes and wouldn't test any more for it.
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Avatar universal
Well, just got back from my follow-up appointment.  The test for Herpes was the IgG test.  Because of how the lab my provider uses returns results, I was unable to get the numbers.  All that was annotated in the system (my provider kindly showed me the screen) was that the tests were negative.  So we discussed other options.  She reiterated that it didn't look like herpes to her, only naturally occurring skin bumps. She suggested freezing them to get rid of them, which I was ok with (not a comfortable procedure).  She also referred me to an ENT about the persistent throat issues (swelling, irritation).  Anyway, it would appear that herpes is not my problem, so I would like to thank you for your guidance.  I would still like to hear your thoughts on my last post though, the questions regarding false negatives and abnormal symptoms, if you can.

Thank you.
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Avatar universal
I just wanted to provide an update.  It is Oct 7th.  I still have the small bumps and the sensitivity in the genital region.  I have a follow-up appointment scheduled in a few days.  I guess I might get some clarification from my provider then.  In the mean time, I was wondering if you could confirm a few things I read on herpes- from this site and others.  While not typical, have you heard of outbreaks where blisters start to form but don't fully materialize?  Also, while I'm not sure which test my provider used (I have A LOT of questions for my provider when I go), it was a negative result at the 7 month mark.  I have read where it has taken upwards of 8 months for antibodies to appear in the blood.  Have you heard this figure?  And finally, it has been close to two months that I've been having the sensitivity in the genital region- have you heard of outbreaks lasting that long?

I know I shouldn't be dwelling on this, especially since the outlook is good since the test came back negative, but I'm sure you understand.  With so much info out there (a lot of which seems at times to be contradictory), it helps to get reassurance from people that know what they're talking about.  Thank you for your patience, not only with me, but with all your answers on this site.
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Avatar universal
Grace,  I forgot to mention in my original post that I had quite a bad rash around my anus.  The doc prescribed the Valtrex as a precaution, and said it would help if it was H, but if not, no harm no foul.  I provided a urine sample, but only for Gonorrhea.  
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