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Should I Be Concerned About HIV?
Question: Hello Dr. XXXXXXX
If you remember i posted a question about HSV2.
I saw a dermatologist today and he assured me that this is Genital Herpes.
Though when i noticed these outbreaks and messaged you i went and did the following tests same day so i could make sure so i did the following tests:
HSV2 Urine PCR
HSV2 Igg
HSV2 Igm
All came back negative.
My last possible counter was 2 weeks back from my test at a massage parlor where i rubbed my genitals with the masseuse. Did I do the tests too early?
Thank you.
If you remember i posted a question about HSV2.
I saw a dermatologist today and he assured me that this is Genital Herpes.
Though when i noticed these outbreaks and messaged you i went and did the following tests same day so i could make sure so i did the following tests:
HSV2 Urine PCR
HSV2 Igg
HSV2 Igm
All came back negative.
My last possible counter was 2 weeks back from my test at a massage parlor where i rubbed my genitals with the masseuse. Did I do the tests too early?
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Wait till 12 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Yes I remember interacting with you.
The lesions were mainly around hair follicle and you had a previous history of such infection hence I diagnosed as folliculitis.
Did you do only HSV2 test or also HSV 1.
Generally genital infection is with HSV 2 but even HSV 1 can cause that.
HSV can be transmitted only if the sexual partner had an active lesion.
HSV IGM becomes positive within 2 weeks of infection and also declines rapidly.
Best would be to wait till 12 weeks and then do HSV1 and HSV2 IgG.
This will give a clear picture whether you have herpes or not.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Wait till 12 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Yes I remember interacting with you.
The lesions were mainly around hair follicle and you had a previous history of such infection hence I diagnosed as folliculitis.
Did you do only HSV2 test or also HSV 1.
Generally genital infection is with HSV 2 but even HSV 1 can cause that.
HSV can be transmitted only if the sexual partner had an active lesion.
HSV IGM becomes positive within 2 weeks of infection and also declines rapidly.
Best would be to wait till 12 weeks and then do HSV1 and HSV2 IgG.
This will give a clear picture whether you have herpes or not.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Dr. Yogesh D
Hello Doctor,
i did today an HSV2 IGG test and result came back positive but they didnt provide the reference range.
I think at some point in the massage my genitals must have touched her infected legions which i cant remember seeing honestly.
Am i at risk of contracting HIV due to gentals touching? My penis tip must have touched her blister %E2%80%9Cif visible%E2%80%9D
thank you
i did today an HSV2 IGG test and result came back positive but they didnt provide the reference range.
I think at some point in the massage my genitals must have touched her infected legions which i cant remember seeing honestly.
Am i at risk of contracting HIV due to gentals touching? My penis tip must have touched her blister %E2%80%9Cif visible%E2%80%9D
thank you
They just informed me ref range is 0.89
Brief Answer:
P24 testing
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
IgG positive means that you have HSV2 infection.
The risk of HIV with just rubbing of genitals and without sexual intercourse is very low. Infact it is less than 0.1 % but the possibility cannot be totally ruled out.
You can get a P24 antigen testing for HIV done.
It is more reliable than antibody testing in early stages.
This should help.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
P24 testing
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
IgG positive means that you have HSV2 infection.
The risk of HIV with just rubbing of genitals and without sexual intercourse is very low. Infact it is less than 0.1 % but the possibility cannot be totally ruled out.
You can get a P24 antigen testing for HIV done.
It is more reliable than antibody testing in early stages.
This should help.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I did an HIV test called Chromatographic Immunoassay yesterday with negative result, is that an antigen test?
Brief Answer:
P 24 testing
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Immunoassay is for detection of antibodies.
The antibody generally appears late.
P24 is antigen based testing and is positive at an early stage.
Please get a P 24 testing done.
Hope this helps.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
P 24 testing
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Immunoassay is for detection of antibodies.
The antibody generally appears late.
P24 is antigen based testing and is positive at an early stage.
Please get a P 24 testing done.
Hope this helps.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Dr. Yogesh D
Hello Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank you for your reply. I did the P24 antigen and PCR test actually and both turned negative thankfully.
I want to ask you about the medication I should take to suppress the HSV-2 from recurring again.
The subscribed medicine i was given was Zovitrax 200mg tablets.
What is the dosage recommended for long-term suppression?
Thank you for your reply. I did the P24 antigen and PCR test actually and both turned negative thankfully.
I want to ask you about the medication I should take to suppress the HSV-2 from recurring again.
The subscribed medicine i was given was Zovitrax 200mg tablets.
What is the dosage recommended for long-term suppression?
Brief Answer:
For 7 days
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Just relax P24 has a high sensitivity.
If this is the first time you have developed genital herpes then take Zovirax 400 mg 3 times a day for 7 days.
This should be sufficient.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
For 7 days
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Just relax P24 has a high sensitivity.
If this is the first time you have developed genital herpes then take Zovirax 400 mg 3 times a day for 7 days.
This should be sufficient.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you doctor.
just a few questions:
For the future when i get married, during intercourse can i transmit genital herpes if no outbreaks are visible?
And if outbreak happen, how long do i wait till i can have intercourse again to be safe of no transmission?
just a few questions:
For the future when i get married, during intercourse can i transmit genital herpes if no outbreaks are visible?
And if outbreak happen, how long do i wait till i can have intercourse again to be safe of no transmission?
Brief Answer:
After 15 days
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
You can only transmit HSV if you have fresh lesions.
Usually the lesions heal totally in 7 days.
You can take precautions for another 7 days, so after 15 days of fresh outbreak it is safe to have sexual intercourse.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
After 15 days
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
You can only transmit HSV if you have fresh lesions.
Usually the lesions heal totally in 7 days.
You can take precautions for another 7 days, so after 15 days of fresh outbreak it is safe to have sexual intercourse.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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