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Low Positive Herpeselect and Negative BioKit
Here's a briefing:
Tested Low Postive on Herpeselect for HSV 2 (1.81)
Tested Negative on BioKit for HSV 1 and 2 (3 months after last possible contact)
Shortly after I tested negative I got an outbreak of small raised, red, itchy bumps on my left buttock. This rash was localized (maybe a sq inch), raised and very itchy. It stayed there for about 2 months gradually fading to a light red area with little red dots.
Also, While getting the BioKit, the doc said I had a bladder infection and gave me a round of antibiotics. I also had a yeast infection about a month later(self-diagnosed with an OTC yeast infection test kit).
Since then I've had another outbreak of this same rash. It's a little lower than the first in position. but in the same general area (left buttock). Same symptoms as well (itchy, won't respond to anti-fungal treaments, is taking forever to go away).
I'm not sure if this is related but, shortly after (about 5days) the rash started I contracted Strep (confirmed with an in-office culture). I completed a round of antibiotics. After the Strep was over, I had a very long lasting cold (2 months or more), with a lot of coughing and mucus production.
I went to Derma and she says the rash looks viral and gave me a script for Valtrex. She did a swab of the area and another round of Herpeselect testing.
I'm currently waiting on the results
Questions:
1.) If the Herpeselect comes back low-neg again, do I do another BioKit just to be sure?
2.) What are the other possibilties that this rash could be?
3.) Do intial Herpes outbreaks ever start on buttocks?
4.) If I do test positive for Herpes, can I shed out of my vagina and have asymptomatic shedding?
5.) How does the Herpeselect test get all these false positives? What's the actual procedure they use to determine whether or not the sample is positive? Is it like a pH strip that can be easily misread or something?
Tested Low Postive on Herpeselect for HSV 2 (1.81)
Tested Negative on BioKit for HSV 1 and 2 (3 months after last possible contact)
Shortly after I tested negative I got an outbreak of small raised, red, itchy bumps on my left buttock. This rash was localized (maybe a sq inch), raised and very itchy. It stayed there for about 2 months gradually fading to a light red area with little red dots.
Also, While getting the BioKit, the doc said I had a bladder infection and gave me a round of antibiotics. I also had a yeast infection about a month later(self-diagnosed with an OTC yeast infection test kit).
Since then I've had another outbreak of this same rash. It's a little lower than the first in position. but in the same general area (left buttock). Same symptoms as well (itchy, won't respond to anti-fungal treaments, is taking forever to go away).
I'm not sure if this is related but, shortly after (about 5days) the rash started I contracted Strep (confirmed with an in-office culture). I completed a round of antibiotics. After the Strep was over, I had a very long lasting cold (2 months or more), with a lot of coughing and mucus production.
I went to Derma and she says the rash looks viral and gave me a script for Valtrex. She did a swab of the area and another round of Herpeselect testing.
I'm currently waiting on the results
Questions:
1.) If the Herpeselect comes back low-neg again, do I do another BioKit just to be sure?
2.) What are the other possibilties that this rash could be?
3.) Do intial Herpes outbreaks ever start on buttocks?
4.) If I do test positive for Herpes, can I shed out of my vagina and have asymptomatic shedding?
5.) How does the Herpeselect test get all these false positives? What's the actual procedure they use to determine whether or not the sample is positive? Is it like a pH strip that can be easily misread or something?
A related discussion, Conflicting test results and symptoms was started.
A related discussion, HSV2 herpeselect was started.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the Forum. This recurrent rash is becoming a problem, isn't it. It sounds however like it has not always occurred in the same location this works somewhat against it being HSV. In addition, your negative tests lead to the same conclusion (you do not have HSV). I predict that your culture will be negative and your repeat HerpeSelect will be either negative of low (false) positive once again. In answer to your specific questions:
1. If it is low positive again I would not repeat the Biokit. If you had HSV I would expect the repeat HerpeSelect to be solidly in the positive range (i.e 3.0-3.5 or above).
2. As I hear you description I wondered about psoriasis but to try to make a diagnosis over the internet without examination would not be a proper thing for me to do. Once your tests are negative, I anticipate your dermatologist may have other ideas - atopic dermatitis, etc.
3. Sure, the can occur anywhere that there has been contact. We do see outbreaks on the buttocks and lower abdomen from time to time.
4. I am very doubtful that your test will be positive. If it is, let's cross that bridge then (you can post as a follow-up to this thread).
5. The HerpeSelect is an ELISA test in which the intensity of the color change defines what is positive or not. it is read by a machine. the problem is that antibodies to other viruses, like HSV-1 or to herpes zoster, the virus that causes chicken pox can cause cross reactions.
Hope this helps. Little evidence to suggest this is HSV. Working on this with your dermatologist is the right way to go. EWH
1. If it is low positive again I would not repeat the Biokit. If you had HSV I would expect the repeat HerpeSelect to be solidly in the positive range (i.e 3.0-3.5 or above).
2. As I hear you description I wondered about psoriasis but to try to make a diagnosis over the internet without examination would not be a proper thing for me to do. Once your tests are negative, I anticipate your dermatologist may have other ideas - atopic dermatitis, etc.
3. Sure, the can occur anywhere that there has been contact. We do see outbreaks on the buttocks and lower abdomen from time to time.
4. I am very doubtful that your test will be positive. If it is, let's cross that bridge then (you can post as a follow-up to this thread).
5. The HerpeSelect is an ELISA test in which the intensity of the color change defines what is positive or not. it is read by a machine. the problem is that antibodies to other viruses, like HSV-1 or to herpes zoster, the virus that causes chicken pox can cause cross reactions.
Hope this helps. Little evidence to suggest this is HSV. Working on this with your dermatologist is the right way to go. EWH
I should also add that I had three instances of sexual contact since BioKit.
2 were mutual masterbation, with a short instance of me administering oral sex and with him administering oral sex on me on both occasions.
1 was protected intercourse with oral administered both ways.
2 were mutual masterbation, with a short instance of me administering oral sex and with him administering oral sex on me on both occasions.
1 was protected intercourse with oral administered both ways.
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.
