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Misdiagnosed?

June 2013 all my STD screenings were negative. Starting in July every time I shave I get blisters in my genital area that resemble herpes especially if its extremely hot out :-(. I initially was told it was an infected hair follicle. I was retested in August because itching and discharge (white, no odor) persisted and because me and the long time ex got back together right after June....My results came back positive for chlamydia. I since broke up with him because he lied about cheating and I was too concern about my health. We both got treated and I showed him my results. Till this day he hasn't showed me his. My concern is that my Igg for HSV 1 and 2 were out of norm ....HSV1 was 11.82 and HSV2 was 1.61....initially my primary doctor said I was negative for HSV2  b/c it was too low. I had Cold sores in the past(2008, 2009) so I know the HSV1 Status. In August (my follow up exam) my GYN gave me Valtrex and disagree with the primary doctors diagnosis, Its been 3 days and still I don't feel any better.....Can this be LGV or some crazy infection from shaving? I have a re-test schedule on 9/16. Just wanna get an opinion...btw no flu-like symptoms
Best Answer
3149845 tn?1506627771
Hi, swabbing a sore within 48 hours after it appears is the best diagnosis. Other than that testing should be at 3 months. If your hav2 is 1.61 it is indicative of a false positive in need of retesting in 2 months or its a newly acquired infection of hsv2. No telling what the mark is but sounds like an inflamed hair folicle. But its a mute point now as with a low positive with a new infection it very well could be an outbreak.
But from the appearance of a sore to scabing and healing takes about 2 weeks and if youve had this 2 months its most likely not herpes related.
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101028 tn?1419603004
best of luck at FINALLY getting answers!!!
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Avatar universal
Thank you very much for your response Grace, and everyone else on this post.
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101028 tn?1419603004
your lesion culture you had done 4 days after your symptoms when they were already starting to heal was pretty much a waste of money unfortunately.

I agree, at this point , you need a herpes WB.  in our read before posting post on the forum there is info on how to obtain it in the US.  since you haven't had any further symptoms to culture and are hsv1+ , using the WB at this point is the best way to rule out a false positive.  You can get the WB kit and have your provider order it drawn and sent out from your local lab.

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Avatar universal
Thank you I need to find a doctor that can order it for me here will save me some of the trouble
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Avatar universal
I read through a lot of your posts -- but perhaps not all of them.

The fact that stopping shaving has stopped the issue definitely points toward folliculitis or some sort of irritation as more likely than herpes, but the 3.43 result is still worrisome.

You should have the Western Blot. It's a bit expensive (about $200 all told), but worth your peace of mind and finally putting this to rest.
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Avatar universal
Not sure if you read previous posts but yes the numbers all over the place.

1. No I never actually saw his results only for the STD he was treated for. He claims is negative and I recently contacted him and said he will test again and show me. lets wait and see.
2. twice the times i shaved in the summer i got those "blister like lesions" did a swab/culture and it came back negative. I haven't shaved since september I Do waxing and no "infected hair follicle " or lesions, cuts whatever.
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Avatar universal
It sounds like you may need to have a Western Blot to sort this out. With a result like 3.43, a false positive is much less likely than with a result like 1.01 -- but your results have been all over the place.

DId you ever actually see your ex's results?

Have you had any more outbreaks recently? If you see anything suspicious, you should be seen for a swab test.
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Avatar universal
HSV-2 . I been getting all kinds of different numbers
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1998092 tn?1391242845
Was your 3.43 IgG result for HSV-1 or HSV-2?
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Avatar universal
Update above :/
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Avatar universal
Hello Grace! Ive heard great things about you and your support on this community. I posted a while back and recently updated. Was wondering if you can give me some feedback. My post is titled "misdiagnosed" i updated 1-20-14
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Avatar universal
Hi, its been some time Happy NEW Year. I went to re-test just to get a "conclusive" result. Between October thru December no discomfort, no blistering no bumps or infected hair follicles, i no longer shave that area just waxed and its been working fine. I used my primary doctor and she refused to use a different lab. anyway same lab same test (herpeselect) and it came back at 3.43igg, positive. I'm very confused In October i had my results for second testing (different doc and lab) including a culture swab and they were both negative. After reading so much online, i realized that im not alone in the world. It hasnt caused me any physical damage just a bit of a mental breakdown that pretty much im over now. I thank you and everyone else in this community for the feedback and support.
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Avatar universal
SIGHS! :-( you would think that i will accept my doctors diagnosis. But reading so much about the topic has left me with an open mind, yet highly stress. Thank you again for your response, I'm also keeping a daily journal of any genital symptoms or changes I see. So far none every since doc gave me prescription for BV I feel great in that area, can't say the same mentally. I cant believe a man I known for 16 years put me through all of this.
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Avatar universal
Yes you're right I completely misread your swab result and assumed HSV2 was positive instead of a clean sweep negative.

In aggregate, you are probably negative, it would be good to see a clear negative for HSV2, best to wait until 16 weeks after last encounter though to be doubly sure.
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Avatar universal
Hi thanks for responding, the "swab viral culture" was negative just to clarify. We broke up in August and yes he tested negative. I will perform another test in Mid Nov as you mention
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Avatar universal
The swab should leave no doubt (barring lab error) that you are positive for HSV2. On the basis that it is correct, you may still be in the process of seroconverting. For HSV1 positive people, a test at 16 weeks would be conclusive.

It is likely you were infected shortly before the first blisters. Hence a blood test around mid November should produce a clear positive. If it is negative then you could question the swab further.

You also maybe mixing tests. It looks like you had a Herpeselect test previously, but the Labcorp one looks to be a different kit and may have different 'cut off' levels.

I really feel your next move is to have a Herpeselect test mid November. This is all pointing to positive for infection though with your partner from the end of June the source... is he testing?
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Avatar universal
Life360, I will like your opinion too , Thanks in advance

I need your opinion. Today I went to pick up my results and had my Biopsy done for the pap. "Shield Lab" confirmed the viral culture for herpes 2 and 1 negative. My blood work was done by Labcorp, my results

HSV 1 : 2.52 Igg this blood was drawn on 9/17/13
HSV 2 :1.01 igg blood drawn 9/17/13

previously blood drawn in July 2013 by a local small lab

HSV1  11.82igg
HSv 2 : 1.61igg

And in June 2013 Same Local lab (my new doctor never even heard of this lab).

HSV : 5.99
HSv2 : 0.16 igg Negative


So, My doctor says I'm negative, what do you think
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Avatar universal
I need your opinion. Today I went to pick up my results and had my Biopsy done for the pap. "Shield Lab" confirmed the viral culture for herpes 2 and 1 negative. My blood work was done by Labcorp, my results

HSV 1 : 2.52 Igg this blood was drawn on 9/17/13
HSV 2 :1.01 igg blood drawn 9/17/13

previously blood drawn in July 2013 by a local small lab

HSV1  11.82igg
HSv 2 : 1.61igg

And in June 2013 Same Local lab (my new doctor never even heard of this lab).

HSV : 5.99
HSv2 : 0.16 igg Negative


So, My doctor says I'm negative, what do you think?
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Avatar universal
Doctor called me n results are negative for HSV 2 by blood work m culture. However my pap is abnormal. Is all good i feel better.
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Avatar universal
The GYN (new one 2nd opinion) mentioned the cross reactivity today...which gave me hopes for a false positive. He looked at what was left of my lesion from 4 days ago and said it doesn't look like herpes at all. He also took a culture/swab and sent it to a different lab. Tomorrow I have the blood work scheduled for Igg and IGm he wants to see my Igm to see if I had it from before and just developed IGg  now. In addition, I was given flagyl for BV (which i suspected) and all the uncomfortable itch is gone (one day dose). I will keep you and Life360 posted......thanks again for your previous posts
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Avatar universal
I never understood cross reactivity im Just praying it was a false positive ...thank you for your input
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Avatar universal
Note that cross reactivity of antibodies from the other type can raise the reading of a blood test on the other type. This all depends on the strains you have (yes there are different strains of HSV1 for example).

The testing plates are crafted and strain selected for the testing plates that attempt to minimize cross reactivity and this is usually very good for HSV2 testing, that is, HSV2 tests are are only contaminated to a very minor extent by HSV1 antibodies. Interestingly not so the other way, cross reactivity of HSV2 antibodies to HSV1 testing plates is often not immaterial.

Cross reactivity is usually only one factor is false positive tests. The testing plates may attract other stuff that is your blood that is unrelated to a herpes infection.
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Avatar universal
I will def post an update after Monday and In October which will be the second month....Thanks
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3149845 tn?1506627771
do come back and let us know ok but make sure the test is at 3 months to avoid doing it again
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