I am a 73 year old male, recently diagnosed via a blood test with Herpes 2. The diagnosis was confirmed by a second blood test from a different lab.
Initially the symptoms were irritation of testicles and soreness at base of scrotum. This was in early May of 2023. In June I began to notice small cracks or cuts in the skin on head of penis. I immediately had a full std blood panel. All tests were negative except for herpes 2. I redid the blood test with a different lab and it too confirmed herpes 2. The second blood test only looked for herpes, not all other std blood antibodies. Again, first test showed antibodies for herpes 2 only.
The symptoms continue. No discharge. No blisters. Very small cracks in skin on head of penis. Testicles are still itchy and still have soreness at base of scrotum.
It has now been 2 full months since the first noticeable skin breaks. Three months since scrotum pain at base.
I have good insurance but the time to see a urologist is 2-3 months.
Any recommendations or thoughts on why this initial “outbreak” is continuing for so long?
I am taking Valacyclovir on a daily basis.
Your number would be different, of course, but the index number is really important.
Just because you have hsv2 doesn't mean that every symptom you have happening is herpes. Has a doctor actually seen your symptoms? It doesn't sound like herpes. It sounds more like a fungal infection, or perhaps eczema or something along those lines. The soreness in your scrotum could be a prostate issue.
If a doctor hasn't actually seen the cracked skin, get that checked. Any doctor can look at that - even an urgent care. Since you're on the antiviral, and it's not getting any better for months, I have to say that herpes isn't causing these symptoms.
If your blood tests don't give you an index value, let me know. That's really, really important. There are false positives on the hsv2 IgG test, and knowing the index value can help determine if yours might be a false positive.