Groin itch, possibly herpes? Convoluted by COVID

[worriedguy37]

I foolishly had unprotected oral with a massage SW for a few mins. About 10 days later my groin and thigh have been really itchy and tingly and burning. I also got COVID, possibly from the same incident with the SW. 4 days after the exposure, I got mild fever (barely even registered), fatigue and in bed, some chills for a few days, then the cough and sore throat stuck around. It was all pretty consistent with COVID symptoms. However, then the itching started and I'm worried i may have gotten g-HSV1. I didn't notice any sores, but i can't say i looked carefully since i was recovering and resting due to COVID. My inner thigh and the seam to the groin and that whole area are always itchy now. I got a 10 panel test exactly 4 weeks after the exposure and it all came back negative. But from what i've read online, now it seems i may simply be testing too early. Some articles say igg test confidence at 4 weeks can only be ~60% accurate, especially for g-HSV1. The itch has been going on for about 2-3 weeks now. Could this be g-HSV1? What if i'm actually asymptomatic and just am having psychosomatic itching and actually do have g-HSV1? When can i feel confident that the negative igg is accurate? When/should I retest? Worried...

[Dadz1990]

Hey,
Without sores itching like this is not a typical sign or symptom of STI, including herpes. Its also unlikely to present in the inner thigh.

Your fever, tiredness etc was confirmed COVID so we can ignore them as an STI issue.

I feel strongly this is not Herpes, The chances of Herpes been transmitted from one occasion if you partner didn't have a noticeable outbreak is very low, coupled with no blisters we can safely assume you are in the clear and move on.

I actually recommend against an IGG test - all too often the are inaccurate, and cause unnecessary test. They also can not date a positive result so could be HSV-1 Positive all your life. I urge you rather than testing to move on and not to worry.

[Dadz1990]

Slight amendment on the last paragraph. "unnecessary test" should read "unnecessary stress"

[worriedguy37]

Thanks for the feedback.
I have previously tested negative for HSV-1 so I know that I haven't had it prior, so I would need to know if ive now contracted Hsv 1 or even 2.

So are you saying the 4 week post exposure Igg test, which came back negative, is still somewhat meaningless/not definite?

[auntiejessi]

The issue with the hsv1 IgG test is that it misses 30% of infections. A negative test doesn't mean you don't have it, unfortunately.

The hsv2 IgG is far more accurate - it misses only 8% of infections, but the issue with that test is false positives.

Your symptoms are far more suggestive of a fungal infection or perhaps anxiety than herpes. Do you have any other symptoms - redness, flaky skin, sores, anything? Have you tried using anything on it? Seen a doctor?