
What Causes A Pimple In The Groin Area After Unprotected Intercourse?

HSV infection and detection
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
HSV transmission can result from contact with persons who have active ulcerative lesions or with persons who have no clinical manifestations of infection but who are
shedding HSV from mucocutaneous surfaces.Asymptomatic seropositive persons shed virus on mucosal surfaces almost as frequently as do those with symptomatic disease.
HSV infection is best confirmed in the laboratory by detection of virus, viral antigen, or viral DNA in scrapings from lesions.The sensitivity of all detection methods depends on the stage of the lesions (with higher sensitivity for vesicular than for ulcerative lesions), on whether the patient has a first or a recurrent episode of the disease (with higher sensitivity in first than in recurrent episodes), and on whether the sample is from an immunosuppressed or an immunocompetent patient (with more antigen or DNA in immunosuppressed patients). But your partner must have undergone serological assay for HSV infection.
Serologic assays [measure antibodies to glycoprotein G of HSV-1 (gG1) and HSV-2 (gG2)] are useful for differentiating uninfected (seronegative) persons from those with past HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. But seroconversion during primary HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection takes time and there is no reliable IgM method for defining acute
HSV infection .
Hence a person tested during the phase of sero-conversion will test negative as IgG titre will not be adequate for detection.This must have happened with your partner who was initially negative and then turned positive.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX


HSV infection and detection
Detailed Answer:
Your partner was in 'window period' when his blood sample was collected and hence he can be tested negative i.e. before sero-conversion in spite of having the virus and sheeding HSV from mucocutaneous surfaces .Once the window period is over your partner tested positive (IgG) and you acquired the infection presumably from him as there is no other source stated and you tested positive(IgG of 8.4) after acquiring the infection.
HSV infection cannot come from out of the blue and is highly possible in unprotected ( without condoms )sex.
Herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2; Herpesvirus hominis) produce
a variety of infections including Genital Infections.
While staining of scrapings from vaginal mucosa (vaginal pool)to detect
giant cells or intranuclear inclusions of Herpesvirus infection is a well described
procedure, few clinicians are skilled in this technique, the sensitivity of staining is low (<30% for mucosal swabs).
HSV DNA detection by PCR is the most sensitive laboratory technique for detecting mucosal HSV infections and should be used when available.
You have not mentioned what kind of test you have undergone from vaginal pool for HSV screening.Please upload your and your partner's report serially date-wise if possible.The reports will have mention about the techniques used and their sensitivity and specificity.
That vaginal pool sample is the most accurate method for HSV detection has not been mentioned in any Standard Textbook of Medicine.


HSV infection and detection
Detailed Answer:
Seroconversion provides proof of primary infection to HSV-1 or HSV-2 .
Serological tests are more accurate when done 12-16 weeks after exposure.Hence window period may be between 3-4 months. Hence a month variation of sero-conversion might be there between individuals after primary infection. You showed IgG re activity so quickly and his took a few months . Another factor might be administration of antiviral drug (?) and delay in rise of antibody titre.
Current antiviral agents do not prevent the release of small amounts of HSV antigen into the genital mucosa and hence reactivation/shedding may continue in spite of antiviral drug.You however did not mention any details of antiviral therapy to self or partner.
Primary HSV infections (i.e., first infections with either HSV-1 or HSV-2 in which the host lacks HSV antibodies in acute-phase serum) are frequently accompanied by systemic signs and symptoms (which include fever, malaise, myalgias, inability to eat, irritability i.e flu like which may last 3–14 days).You were sick with flu like symptoms.


HSV infection and detection
Detailed Answer:
Both of you have undergone anti-viral therapy with Acyclovir ( the agent most frequently used for the treatment of HSV infections).
It is difficult to make out the exact date of exposure from the serological assay in an individual.
As I said during the window period a person can shed virus from mucosal surfaces,even he tests negative and infect partners.
If a person has potential exposure say unsafe sexual practice,he should be cautious and can be declared negative for HSV infection only by serological test (if necessary repeat test,if initial test negative) after 4 months following an exposure.
One need to be honest on that.
I hope I have been able to sufficiently clarify the issue.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX

Answered by

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
