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Six small bumps/ulcers, no pain or itchiness, PCR test 3 days after they appeared was negative

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k31758
k31758

Hello,

I have reviewed a lot of posts, but didn't quite find something that matched my situation.

I had unprotected sex (I have thought about this so many times in the past week) with a new partner for the first time. About a week later I decided to cut my pubic hair a lot shorter, and that same day wore these super tight yoga shorts for a long period of time while working outside/sitting/going to the gym. My vagina got super irritated that day. It was briefly itchy in the evening, but I showered and it went away.

The next day I noticed a small bump on my labia majora and attributed that to the yoga shorts. But, when a day or two later a few more showed up, one looking slightly white, I realized I needed to get tested. I got an appointment for two days later (so 4 days now) and got a PCR swab. At this point there was 6 total (she counted) and they were spread out. No crusting was occurring when I got tested, and there was very minor dead skin later when the bumps were healing. Some were on my labia major and some on my labia minora, all on the same side (left) and spread out in a ~ 1 inch diameter area.

She said they looked like they could be herpetic, but she wasn't sure. Also, I had no pain or itching whatsoever besides briefly before I showered. She did notice minor swelling in my lymph nodes on that side, but I had also pulled muscles on that side of my body while lifting weights, so I thought it was reacting to that. I didn't have any sickness, fever, or felt bad during this time. I had the pulled muscle, but still felt good.

She prescribed me the 3x per day antiviral suppressions meds and I started on L-Lysine, zinc, and vit C. I also started regularly applying manuka honey to the affected area. The bumps are basically gone with minimal scabbing now 4 days after she looked at them and swabbed them. That would be about one week since I noticed them and about two weeks since unprotected sex with new partner.

The PCR swab was negative for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. I had a blood test done in February this year (it was a coincidence, I got it as I hadn't had a blood test done for a number of years). It was negative for both as well, but I don't know what type of blood test it was.

What do I do next? I know the PCR test can have false negatives depending on the timing of the swab. I read the accuracy gradually decreases after 24 hours passes since blister appearance. What does that mean for ~4 days later? Should I get another IgG blood test after waiting 3 - 4 months? Do I tell the person I had sex with about this whole timeline of events? I wanted to wait for the test results to come back before I said something, but now I don't know how much to disclose.

Sorry I don't have an image. I did have the doctor look at me and she said maybe herpes, but she wasn't sure. Thanks for your insights.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • tiff18876
    tiff18876 k31758

    Posted

    Hi can you explain how these bumps started off looking and how long it tool to scab up. Im dealing with some small bumps around my labia now no itching or burning and its been like this for the past going on 4 weeks now. Never any scabs/ulcer. I sent a pic to my gyn and they dont seem concerned. Im cofnused to if ive always had fhese or what

  • Tass83169
    Tass83169 k31758

    Edited

    Hello, you are an informed individual who hit the hammer on the head. Yes, a PCR can produce a false negative if its tested a day late. Blood testing for Herpes is most accurate after 3 months which by then your body would have already produced antibodies if you are indeed a carrier. I reccomend doing a HSV1 & HSV2 IGG blood test in 4 months. If you receive a positive result less than 3.5 a confirmatory testing is recommended.

    As for your partner, an open conversation is the best way to go. Inform them of the symptoms that you are having so that they can also decide to get tested or not. Best of luck to you.

    • k31758
      k31758 Tass83169

      Posted

      hi, thanks for your reply. i realized after posting that i could direct message my doctor. she said that my PCR swab test should be "fairly accurate but not perfect" because none of the six lesions had scabs. she recommended the IGG test now (3 weeks out from intercourse, blood draw was yesterday) and in three months if that is negative. if both of those are negative I will put this to rest.

    • Tass83169
      Tass83169 k31758

      Edited

      Yes, I agree with your doctor. I hope that your result comes back negative.

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