Herpes Information, Resources, & Consultation | Westover Heights

  • Home
  • Herpes Forum
    • Get Herpes Help
    • Getting a Herpes Western Blot – Video Consult
    • The Good News About The Bad News
  • Free Resources
    • Herpes Handbook
    • Living with Herpes Video
  • Contact
  • Login
  • About Terri
  • Home
  • Herpes Forum
    • Get Herpes Help
    • Getting a Herpes Western Blot – Video Consult
    • The Good News About The Bad News
  • Free Resources
    • Herpes Handbook
    • Living with Herpes Video
  • Contact
  • Login
  • About Terri

Antibodies

› Forums › Herpes Questions › Antibodies

  • This topic has 1 reply, 2 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 3 months ago by Terri Warren.
Log In Register Lost Password
Viewing 3 reply threads
  • Author
    Posts
    • October 29, 2014 at 9:27 pm #1613
      AnxiousandAshamed
      Spectator

      Hi Terri,

      I am confused regarding antibodies. I understand that the more antibodies a person has, chances are they are HSV2 positive.

      My questions (as stupid as they my sound) are as follows:

      1. How are antibodies built up in the body?

      2. Can a person build up antibodies over time, thus resulting in an HSV outbreak at any point?

      3. Is there any such thing as really protecting yourself? If you had protected sex with women are have low antibodies, can all those build up and eventually make you HSV2 positive?

    • October 30, 2014 at 12:13 am #1615
      Terri Warren
      Keymaster

      When the immune system cells see the herpes virus in your system, they develop a very specific response to the virus. The antibody fits the virus perfectly; the antibody is made up of certain proteins specific to the herpes virus, kind of like a lock and key. Antibody in the case of herpes are not really protective, that is they don’t stop a person from having outbreaks, they just indicate that the person is infected. The level of the index value, which you are referring to level of antibody, have no indication about how many outbreaks a person will have in the future nor how infectious they are or anything else. The only concern we have about low antibodies (that is below 3.5) is that it could be a false positive and that a person is not really infected.

      We know from doing vaccine studies that allowed people to develop high levels of antibody that antibodies are NOT effective in reducing the risk of transmission.

      Does that help?

      Terri

    • October 30, 2014 at 2:18 am #1619
      AnxiousandAshamed
      Spectator

      Yes, thank you.

      I’m sorry, I am just extremely worried and anxious about the encounter I had 8 days ago that I mentioned in another thread. I am really hoping I am not the one of a thousand who may have become infected. I see this as a very potentially life changing situation that I am not sure I can deal with. I know the anxiety and guilt of what I’ve done is most likely the root cause, however, it is so hard to ignore all of the little things I’m feeling and resist the urge to not call my doctor.

      Also, the fact that my girlfriend of 4 years is leaving the state for new a job on Monday is adding the stress. We still live together, but decided to mutually end things about two months ago. It was quite messy at first, but after talking we’ve come to the realization that we can be civil. We wanted to have one last fun weekend together, which would have possibly included sex. Friday will be 10 days post exposure. Would you suggest against not having sex or are you comfortable saying I have not been infected based off a protected one time encounter?

      Sorry for the long story, but I really feel like I have nobody else to talk to at this time.

    • October 30, 2014 at 2:23 pm #1625
      Terri Warren
      Keymaster

      I know you are anxious and worried but I stand by my opinion that a single condom protected encounter is extremely low risk for acquiring herpes. Would I be so bold as to tell you that you definitely have not been infected at this encounter? No. I just think it is very very unlikely that you were infected at this encounter. You need to make the call about the sexual weekend.

      Terri

  • Author
    Posts
Log In Register Lost Password
Viewing 3 reply threads

You must register to ask your own question or be logged in to reply to this question.

Welcome to the Forum!

About Our Herpes Forum

Terri Warren is here to respond to concerns and questions you have about genital herpes and your own personal situation.

For the past 30 years, genital herpes has been her special area of interest and she has conducted many, many research studies on various aspects of genital herpes.

Each interaction is a question with two follow up questions for $25.00.

Learn More About Our Herpes Forum

Get Personalized Help

Terri Warren is here to help you with your herpes concerns. Learn more about Terri

Westover Herpes Info

  • Do I have Herpes?
  • Living with Herpes Video
  • Getting a Herpes Western Blot
    & Video Consultation
  • Herpes Forum
    Terri Warren, ANP

Search Forums

Copyright © 2023 · Westover Heights Clinic · All Rights Reserved

Privacy Policy

7410 SW Oleson Road PO BOX 427 Portland, OR 97223

Phone: Fax:

Website by 0101 Design