Aa
Confusion
I have been in a monogoms relationship for a year. Appx. 5 mons ago my girlfriend was diagnosed with molluscum(MCV). She had a few bumps that were treated and went away within a few mons. Appx. 1 mon. after she was diagnosed I too developed a few visible bumps (fleshcolored, painless, umbilicated). I visited the doctor and was diagnosed with MCV. Fast-forward to today. I have no rashes, but my girlfriend developed one small bump near her genitals. The bump resembled MCV and did not hurt, but she visited a health clinic. The doctor did a swab & visual inspection, and diagnosed the bump as herpes(HSV2). She did not alert the doctor of the MCV diagnosis that would have been pertinent. 24hrs later she received a call from the clinic, they indicated that a culture test supported the existence of HSV2. This seemed to be an odd method of reaching a diagnosis, because an article that appeared in the Clinical Journal of Microbiology (http://jcm.asm.org/cgi/content/full/44/1/283) indicated it is very difficult to compare MCV and HSV2 cultures. My girlfriend sought a Type2OnlyIgC ELISA bloodtest to gain a more conclusive answer. The ELISA returned a "lowpositive result, 1.37". I have done research on ELISA and it seems a low postive result (1.1 - 3.0) has a high potential for a false positive. We still have not been able to obtain an answer that carries a sense of certainty, and it is upsetting us. I am going to the lab in the morning to obtain an ELISAtest.The scenario seems odd, as neither of us have had the common symptoms of HSV2 (painful rash, flu-like symptoms, painful urination, etc) but she has received affirmations that she does in fact have HSV2. As an aside, I had HSV1 in my throat, but that was 10+ years ago with no recurrence. Also, there is zero evidence of infidelity. These are all of the facts, I hope you can shed some light on what seems to be a confusing set of events, and hopefully offer what would be a good next step in finding the answers we need.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I misunderstood your 10-year comment toward the end; only now understanding that you and your partner have been together only a year. That increases my confidence that current infidelity isn't an issue. But assuming that either or both of you were sexually active with other partners until fairly soon before your relationship began, the situation is entirely compatible with either of you bring recently infected with HSV-2, molluscum, or both. I don't see any mystery here at all.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
First and most important, a positive culture for HSV is the most definitive form of diagnosis of genital herpes; it always outweighs blood test results. The only slight wrinkle is that 24 hours is fast for a culture, especially one that already knows virus type. However, it is possible that the lab actually does a PCR test rather than culture, in which case such rapid results are the norm. So your wife has HSV-2. (Of course it's always a good idea to ask the provider for reassurance there isn't an error like specimen mix-up with another patient.)
I don't understand your comment about HSV versus MCV culture. There is no culture test for molluscum. In any case, while it is true her HSV-2 ELISA result is on the low side, it is in the positive range and entirely consisteng with her being infected with HSV-2.
Your story is quite typical. Genital herpes due to HSV-2 often appears in truly monogamous couples, either because the infected person has had it all along, but previously had no symptoms; or because his or her partner had it all along, and transmission only occurred recently.
As to finding "the answers we need", you're already planning to have an HSV-2 ELISA yourself. Most likely you will find it is positive. Whether positive or negative, there is no need to invoke infidelity to explain the situation. Either or both of you could have brought the infection into the relationship from other partners more than 10 years ago. As I said, this situation is quite common.
And for what it is worth, molluscum in the genital area is often but not exclusively sexually transmitted. One of you could have caught it from, say, an infected child in your environment (MC is primarily an infection of toddlers), then transmitted it sexually to the other.
Having said all that, my responses take you at your word about no chance for either of you to have had other sex partners. Without that reassurance, I would have raised the possiblity; it is a bit of a coincidence for both these infections to pop up within a few months of each other. But you can judge your relationship; I cannot.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
I don't understand your comment about HSV versus MCV culture. There is no culture test for molluscum. In any case, while it is true her HSV-2 ELISA result is on the low side, it is in the positive range and entirely consisteng with her being infected with HSV-2.
Your story is quite typical. Genital herpes due to HSV-2 often appears in truly monogamous couples, either because the infected person has had it all along, but previously had no symptoms; or because his or her partner had it all along, and transmission only occurred recently.
As to finding "the answers we need", you're already planning to have an HSV-2 ELISA yourself. Most likely you will find it is positive. Whether positive or negative, there is no need to invoke infidelity to explain the situation. Either or both of you could have brought the infection into the relationship from other partners more than 10 years ago. As I said, this situation is quite common.
And for what it is worth, molluscum in the genital area is often but not exclusively sexually transmitted. One of you could have caught it from, say, an infected child in your environment (MC is primarily an infection of toddlers), then transmitted it sexually to the other.
Having said all that, my responses take you at your word about no chance for either of you to have had other sex partners. Without that reassurance, I would have raised the possiblity; it is a bit of a coincidence for both these infections to pop up within a few months of each other. But you can judge your relationship; I cannot.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
