For the last 2 years I have had what I consider classic symptoms of HSV.
Tingling, itching, irritation, cluster of bumps on my penis that appear .... crust over ..... disappear. From everything I have read it seems I should have it so I got tested.
In the past 2 years I have been tested twice. The first being about 6 months after I first started seeing symptoms and again last month.
I have not had sex, protected nor unprotected, in the past year.
All of my tests have come back negative for both 1 and 2.
So I'm stumped. It is my understanding that even if it is not specifically during an "outbreak" the test should still come back positive if I am infected (certainly after 2 years or at the very least 1)
Just wonder if it might not be an aggressive form of fungal infection, which can lead to open weeping sores, itching and burning sensations. Caused simply by getting too hot and being enclosed in close fitting underwear. Driving a lot can create the conditions.
I am not sure if this product is available in the UK, I sourced this outside, but I know there are equivalents that can be bought over the counter after a chat with the pharmacists.
The product I have to hand is Terbinafine Hydrochloride 1% cream.
Changing underwear for loser fitting will help also the likes of creams like Lanacane to reduce itching ..
iv just been diagnosed with herpes and i was told most of the time if they test when you are not having an outbreak tests will come back negitive this is why to be sure they swab from the blisters during an outbreak have you ever been tested during an outbreak? If not i would suggest that just to be sure and then if its not you can talk to doc usually when tested for herpes they will test for other infections aswell to rule out them too.
Salt baths are good just put a handful of ordinary food salt into your bath this soothes it and makes it feel a little better x
Thank you for your responses! I Will most certainly get tested the next time it happens just to be sure. It's so hard to really get a handle on what is true or not.
I have been told that if it is within the first 6 months or so, false negatives are likely, but after 2 years the antibodies should be in my blood stream all the time which should take away the possibility of false negatives.
You said "I have been told that if it is within the first 6 months or so, false negatives are likely, but after 2 years the antibodies should be in my blood stream all the time which should take away the possibility of false negatives".
Which makes me think it was a blood test, in which case i guess your not from the UK It has also taught me something today! as I was not informed that the blood test needs that much time to be sure! Another question for my doctor when I see him as i'd like some clarity on that one for others in my life, not me.
Swabs by bitter experience need to happen as soon as a lesion first appears! I have had many many many negative results from swabs and sourced the blood test in the end, I knew I had it! i had tested positive years before but lost my records (moving and losing number I was registered under) and the NHS refused treatment drugs (stupid politicians!) unless they had a positive result! go figure!
Your not wrong regard sourcing the truth, 20 years on and I know much but still learn and get hit with new info that challenges what I thought I knew! There is a lot of misinformation even on the reputable sites imho and studies are held in high credence when they have not been conducted in a fair realistic manner! Talking to a specialist in the virus is the only way I have found my truths. (generally within a clinic only one member of staff is a specialist in the field - i found this out when I went back with the blood test in hand to show they were wrong at which point I was advised only to see this one doc who specialises - hmmm)