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Genital HSV-1 Question
I've read quite a few posts about genital HSV-1 on this forum. Very helpful. But I do still have a few questions.
Some background first. I apologize for the length.
This past Monday, just 4 days ago, I noticed what appeared to be a pimple on the tip of my penis, at the urethra. Understandably I was alarmed, so I called my doc and was able to get in to see her just a few hours later. She took a swab of the "pimple" and also a sample using a syringe. They also drew blood for a blood test. She put me on Valtrex for 10 days because she was confident it was herpes, she said what she saw is very typical of herpes.
Yesterday she called with the results saying that the test came back positive for HSV-1 and that I acquired it just recently, based on the IgM test. I asked what she meant by recent and she said within the last few weeks. I'll be going in for a follow-up to learn more because it was just a quick call from her between patients and I didn't have time to ask all the questions I have.
About six months ago I noticed some redness around the tip of my penis, basically a circle around the urethra perhaps 1-2 mm wide. The overall head of my penis also appeared to be more red than I ever remember it being. This is still going on, but it isn't consistent and fluctuates throughout the day. I also noticed redness inside my urethra, or at least what I thought was redness. Until now there have never been any pimples, lesions, or anything like that.
Six months ago, for the redness, I went to see my doc and she said it looked like a yeast infection, prescribed a cream, but it didn't improve anything, and it didn't get any worse. I was then referred to a dermatologist. Over several months they prescribed various creams, none of which improved anything, but again it didn't get any worse. After all this I finally saw the head dermatologist and he said everything down there appears to be within the range of normal, that things fluctuate, the body changes as you age, etc. Still not satisfied, I went to see a urologist. He said the same thing, that everything looked fine. Ok, so I finally accepted everything is alright.
Because I didn't know what was going on my girlfriend and I didn't have sex for about 5 months. The urologist said that it is just fine to have sex, so about a month ago we started again. We've had vaginal intercourse I think 3 times, no oral sex, and no anal sex.
And now the herpes. In my head it is all related, but my doc, who also spoke to the dermatologist, said that the herpes and the other stuff are not related.
My doc said I acquired the herpes within the last couple of weeks, again based on the IgM test. But my girlfriend has not performed oral sex on me in about 6 months.
So my questions are as follows:
1) Is it possible my girlfriend has genital HSV-1, has never shown any symptoms (at least to my and her knowledge) and after two years she just passed it on to me? Again, she hasn't performed oral sex on me in at least 6 months.
2) Is it possible I could have gotten it from a past girlfriend, over two years ago, but now just had my first outbreak? Or at least noticeable outbreak.
3) Is it possible the IgM test is showing elevated levels, purporting a recent infection, but in fact I have had it for a while now and because of my outbreak is leading to the conclusion that the infection is recent?
4) Is it possible the redness around the urethra that I noticed 6 months ago is in fact related, but I just now developed visible symptoms. Again, the redness is there daily, it just fluctuates throughout the day. I have never had any visible pimples, lesions, etc.
I haven't told my girlfriend about any of this and we haven't had sex and won't until I understand the situation better. Honestly, I am not particularly concerned that I myself have it. I know it isn't going to kill me and is just a nuisance. But if it is something I have, but my girlfriend doesn't, I don't want to pass it on to her. If she passed it to me, I don't really care.
I am just trying to put this puzzle together.
Thank you in advance for any insight you might have.
Some background first. I apologize for the length.
This past Monday, just 4 days ago, I noticed what appeared to be a pimple on the tip of my penis, at the urethra. Understandably I was alarmed, so I called my doc and was able to get in to see her just a few hours later. She took a swab of the "pimple" and also a sample using a syringe. They also drew blood for a blood test. She put me on Valtrex for 10 days because she was confident it was herpes, she said what she saw is very typical of herpes.
Yesterday she called with the results saying that the test came back positive for HSV-1 and that I acquired it just recently, based on the IgM test. I asked what she meant by recent and she said within the last few weeks. I'll be going in for a follow-up to learn more because it was just a quick call from her between patients and I didn't have time to ask all the questions I have.
About six months ago I noticed some redness around the tip of my penis, basically a circle around the urethra perhaps 1-2 mm wide. The overall head of my penis also appeared to be more red than I ever remember it being. This is still going on, but it isn't consistent and fluctuates throughout the day. I also noticed redness inside my urethra, or at least what I thought was redness. Until now there have never been any pimples, lesions, or anything like that.
Six months ago, for the redness, I went to see my doc and she said it looked like a yeast infection, prescribed a cream, but it didn't improve anything, and it didn't get any worse. I was then referred to a dermatologist. Over several months they prescribed various creams, none of which improved anything, but again it didn't get any worse. After all this I finally saw the head dermatologist and he said everything down there appears to be within the range of normal, that things fluctuate, the body changes as you age, etc. Still not satisfied, I went to see a urologist. He said the same thing, that everything looked fine. Ok, so I finally accepted everything is alright.
Because I didn't know what was going on my girlfriend and I didn't have sex for about 5 months. The urologist said that it is just fine to have sex, so about a month ago we started again. We've had vaginal intercourse I think 3 times, no oral sex, and no anal sex.
And now the herpes. In my head it is all related, but my doc, who also spoke to the dermatologist, said that the herpes and the other stuff are not related.
My doc said I acquired the herpes within the last couple of weeks, again based on the IgM test. But my girlfriend has not performed oral sex on me in about 6 months.
So my questions are as follows:
1) Is it possible my girlfriend has genital HSV-1, has never shown any symptoms (at least to my and her knowledge) and after two years she just passed it on to me? Again, she hasn't performed oral sex on me in at least 6 months.
2) Is it possible I could have gotten it from a past girlfriend, over two years ago, but now just had my first outbreak? Or at least noticeable outbreak.
3) Is it possible the IgM test is showing elevated levels, purporting a recent infection, but in fact I have had it for a while now and because of my outbreak is leading to the conclusion that the infection is recent?
4) Is it possible the redness around the urethra that I noticed 6 months ago is in fact related, but I just now developed visible symptoms. Again, the redness is there daily, it just fluctuates throughout the day. I have never had any visible pimples, lesions, etc.
I haven't told my girlfriend about any of this and we haven't had sex and won't until I understand the situation better. Honestly, I am not particularly concerned that I myself have it. I know it isn't going to kill me and is just a nuisance. But if it is something I have, but my girlfriend doesn't, I don't want to pass it on to her. If she passed it to me, I don't really care.
I am just trying to put this puzzle together.
Thank you in advance for any insight you might have.
honestly I wouldn't bother with any more blood work for yourself at this point. Just not worth it. If your gf only tests hsv1+ too, still wouldn't suspect that it's hsv1 genitally. I'd return to the dermatologist for further evaluation of what is causing your symptoms that come and go for the last 6 months.
grace
grace
Thanks Grace.
I think what I'll do is have blood work done elsewhere, like Western Blot and what have you to see what turns up.
To me, given the redness, I'm thinking that and the pimple thingy are related. And given the condition has been going on for so long now, based on everything I've read it just doesn't seem like herpes. I'm thinking a bacterial infection or something, but who knows.
But I think ruling herpes in or out is my first step.
Second opinion, or third or fourth, or whatever, here I come.
I think what I'll do is have blood work done elsewhere, like Western Blot and what have you to see what turns up.
To me, given the redness, I'm thinking that and the pimple thingy are related. And given the condition has been going on for so long now, based on everything I've read it just doesn't seem like herpes. I'm thinking a bacterial infection or something, but who knows.
But I think ruling herpes in or out is my first step.
Second opinion, or third or fourth, or whatever, here I come.
Most folks will test + for hsv1 on the igg blood tests whether they can recall a history of obvious cold sores or not. It's an incredibly common infection and most folks who have it, aren't getting obvious cold sores to know it. At this point you have no reason to believe that your hsv1 is genital. If your igg for hsv1 was negative, you might not even have hsv1 at all. The igm results prove nothing and were a waste of your time and money.
At this point, you should call and ask what your igg herpes test results were. Also if your gf hasnt' been tested, she too should get a type specific herpes igg blood test done. Should your genital symptoms reoccur, see your provider again ( or a dermatologist ) for further evaluation of your symptoms. just a pimple can be many things and at this point, you still have no idea what caused it.
grace
At this point, you should call and ask what your igg herpes test results were. Also if your gf hasnt' been tested, she too should get a type specific herpes igg blood test done. Should your genital symptoms reoccur, see your provider again ( or a dermatologist ) for further evaluation of your symptoms. just a pimple can be many things and at this point, you still have no idea what caused it.
grace
Grace:
I finally got in touch with my doc.
She said the swab did not show any signs of HSV, which I find odd. But she said the test isn't always accurate. I went to the doc within a few hours of noticing the red pimple, so surely the HSV would have been active.
She also said the blood test is what indicated it was a recent infection, but again did not show that it was HSV specifically. I believe they used the IgM test. This is in keeping with other posts that mention the IgM test showing elevated levels even when non-herpes related things are going on. I think I remember reading that at least.
She said blood tests regarding herpes are inconclusive and it's typically visual inspection that results in a diagnosis. In this case it was her visual inspection of a red pimple like thingy at the right tip of my urethra, with what appeared to be a yellowish head to it, like a pimple. It is almost gone now, never multiplied, never blistered or popped (but the yellow head is gone), and has never been painful. I suppose though it could simply be an atypical outbreak.
Anyhoo, I have no idea what to think now. She said all we can do is watch it and see if anything comes back.
My rash, or redness, that I've had now since March of this year is still there. It comes and goes, it isn't consistently red or of the same intensity. Doesn't bother me, other than mentally because I can see it.
Not sure what to do now or what to think. Ugh!
I finally got in touch with my doc.
She said the swab did not show any signs of HSV, which I find odd. But she said the test isn't always accurate. I went to the doc within a few hours of noticing the red pimple, so surely the HSV would have been active.
She also said the blood test is what indicated it was a recent infection, but again did not show that it was HSV specifically. I believe they used the IgM test. This is in keeping with other posts that mention the IgM test showing elevated levels even when non-herpes related things are going on. I think I remember reading that at least.
She said blood tests regarding herpes are inconclusive and it's typically visual inspection that results in a diagnosis. In this case it was her visual inspection of a red pimple like thingy at the right tip of my urethra, with what appeared to be a yellowish head to it, like a pimple. It is almost gone now, never multiplied, never blistered or popped (but the yellow head is gone), and has never been painful. I suppose though it could simply be an atypical outbreak.
Anyhoo, I have no idea what to think now. She said all we can do is watch it and see if anything comes back.
My rash, or redness, that I've had now since March of this year is still there. It comes and goes, it isn't consistently red or of the same intensity. Doesn't bother me, other than mentally because I can see it.
Not sure what to do now or what to think. Ugh!
I don't know yet which test produced which result. I will call my doc on Monday to see what I can find out over the phone and possibly go in for a follow-up visit. She did call today to see how I was healing up, but I got the message late and wasn't able to call her back during her office hours.
I'll ask her about the IgM, IgG, blood test results, etc., as well as the same questions I asked here and see what she says and I'll report back here.
I'll ask her about the IgM, IgG, blood test results, etc., as well as the same questions I asked here and see what she says and I'll report back here.
the igm is a crap test for herpes and your provider should better educate herself on it and stop using it. You need to ignore your igm results at this point. http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/248394 is a good prior post on this topic by HHH for more details.
What test was + for hsv1 - the lesion culture or the igg blood test?
Also it's time to talk to your gf about this. It won't get any easier the longer you put it off. She'll need to get testing done too and just give her the facts as you know them at this time.
grace
What test was + for hsv1 - the lesion culture or the igg blood test?
Also it's time to talk to your gf about this. It won't get any easier the longer you put it off. She'll need to get testing done too and just give her the facts as you know them at this time.
grace
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
