Question 1

what is the likelihood that i could have internal anal herpes without any external lesions present? i have seen mixed results, and am only able to rely on negative igg blood testing bc there are no external lesions to swab?

Accepted Answer

: The chance of having internal rectal herpes (no external lesions), AND no symptoms of it, AND a negative blood test is zero. Move on without worry about this.

Question 2

diagnosed with herpes by culture swab. lesions appear very atypical for herpes but look a lot like molluscum. hiv negative. could i not have hsv?

Accepted Answer

Both?: You could have two co-existing viruses, or just atypical appearing lesions.  It is unlikely the swab for hsv was wrong.  If in doubt, you can always repeat the test.  However, if it is between outbreaks, you run the risk of a false negative.

Question 3

if a person has had negative blood tests for antibodies to hsv 2  and has the symptoms of genital itching and tingling, but no lesions or sores, will a herpes swab or dna test be able to detect herpes?

Accepted Answer

: If a lesion is swabbed and tested for HSV 2 DNA, it would be able to detect the viral DNA, if it is there. If there are no lesions or sores, the specimen would likely be inadequate for the test. It would be easier to repleat the antibody test in 4-6 weeks, and if it remains negative, hepes could be ruled out.
Wish you good health!

Question 4

can you have gen hsv1 and never test positive on hsv igg blood tests?....even after 6 months? what if positive pcr swab?can herpes zoster outbreak cause false positive pcr swab for hsv1?  can acne pad treatment on lesions cause pcr false positive?

Accepted Answer

Genital herpes HSV1: Up to 30% of people with HSV1 don't get positive blood tests, after 6 months or forever. If the swab test was positve, you have HSV1, no need for further blood tests. Herpes zoster does not interfere with HSV blood test or PCR. Acne pad makes no difference. The good news is that most people with genital herpes from HSV1 have few or no recurrences and don't transmit to partners. No big deal!

Question 5

will ammoxacillin make herpes lesions go away?

Accepted Answer

Not at all: Amoxicillin is an antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections. It will not help in any way against a virus such as herpes. Acyclovir or Valacyclovir are antivirals used to treat herpes

Question 6

do recurrent herpes lesions heal in 2 days or could thes be tears from sex?

Accepted Answer

Herpes genitalis: It would be unusual for herpetic lesions to heal in 2 days.  Without seeing these impossible to diagnose.  See a doctor.

Question 7

can you please tell me symptoms of herpes that don't include obvious herpes lesions?

Accepted Answer

Not really: If a patient sees no lesions, it is hard to guess whether or not any symptoms are from herpes. Her doctor can help by doing blood tests for herpes antibodies. If symptoms are happening often, perhaps a trial of preventive medication can be done, if the blood antibodies are positive for herpes. The partner's antibodies should be checked too, because one can only catch typical herpes from a person.

Question 8

how do we know that herpes appears within 2-10 days after exposure? is it completely impossible for lesions to show up one day after exposure?

Accepted Answer

Herpes I, II ?'s: A completely new Herpes I or II infection ( i.e., no prior history of exposure) may take from several to 10 days to create the typical painful ulcer of Herpes.  Many times b/c Herpes is so easily transmitted, a long standing dormant infection may be activated by stress, and coincidentally an "exposure" from another individual may coincide in time to the appearance of a Herpes ulcer.

Question 9

what can be used for itching when herpes lesions are drying up?

Accepted Answer

: Abreva addresses both the infection and the burning or itching. Use as directed and discontinue use once the lesions close up. For nighttime, you can also try Benadryl which is an antihistamine and will reduce some of the inflammation/ itching due to histamines.

Question 10

what can be used for itching when herpes lesions start to dry up?

Accepted Answer

: An over the counter anesthetic ointment should help. Look for a product with lidocaine as the active ingredient.

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Doctor answers about:

Herpes swab no lesions

A member asked:

What is the likelihood that i could have internal anal herpes without any external lesions present? i have seen mixed results, and am only able to rely on negative igg blood testing bc there are no external lesions to swab?

A member asked:

Diagnosed with herpes by culture swab. lesions appear very atypical for herpes but look a lot like molluscum. hiv negative. could i not have hsv?

A member asked:

If a person has had negative blood tests for antibodies to hsv 2 and has the symptoms of genital itching and tingling, but no lesions or sores, will a herpes swab or dna test be able to detect herpes?

A member asked:

Can you have gen hsv1 and never test positive on hsv igg blood tests?....even after 6 months? what if positive pcr swab?can herpes zoster outbreak cause false positive pcr swab for hsv1? can acne pad treatment on lesions cause pcr false positive?

A member asked:

Will ammoxacillin make herpes lesions go away?

A member asked:

Do recurrent herpes lesions heal in 2 days or could thes be tears from sex?

A member asked:

Can you please tell me symptoms of herpes that don't include obvious herpes lesions?

A member asked:

How do we know that herpes appears within 2-10 days after exposure? is it completely impossible for lesions to show up one day after exposure?

A member asked:

What can be used for itching when herpes lesions are drying up?

A member asked:

What can be used for itching when herpes lesions start to dry up?

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