BEST TEST

[anonymous70]

Over 20 years ago I was told I have HSV2. Since that time I have never had another breakout, nor have I transmitted it to anyone, this includes an ex-husband of 12 years. I took Valtrex everyday until over a year ago. I requested several times to be retested & my doctor always gave me Some story as to why he couldn’t. Specifically, telling me I had to have a breakout to test. Recently my gyno retired & I obtained all of my medical records since the age of 16 from his office. I noticed there was an extensive std panel (not blood) completed back in 2012 & the results for HSV I/II PCR were both negative. I’ve read so many conflicting articles & are confused. I have heard of others having the same situation. This has been a horrible scarlet leyter to explain to potential sexual partners. What blood test is recommended to take…I want to confirm what the truth is!

[Terri Warren]

I am glad that you came to this forum to get clarification about your diagnosis. Do you recall 20 years ago when you were first diagnosed how that happened? That is, did he do a swab test that was positive for HSV-2 or did he diagnose you by visual exam?

It is a little confusing to me about the testing that you found in your records. HSV PCR should not a blood test, it should be a swab test. Some clinicians make the error of using this as a blood test but that’s not useful because adults almost never have herpes simplex in their blood. In an effort to be current with good practice many clinicians know about PCR but some apply it incorrectly, believing it should be a blood test rather than the proper use, a swab test. So basically if the PCR is a blood test, that information is not useful to you.

What you need is an IgG type specific antibody test. That is a test that looks for antibody to HSV-1 and HSV-2 separately. Some tests that you do not want to have include IgM testing or any test that combines HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibody. Is your new provider willing to do antibody testing for you? If you have had herpes type II for 20 years, it would be unusual though not impossible to have zero outbreaks. Also, if you have taken Valtrex for 20 years, that could be the reason you have had no outbreaks. However, most people do you have a few outbreaks in spite of taking antiviral medicine.

I’m so glad you have decided to get clarification about your herpes diagnosis. It sounds like you may be reentering the dating world and it’s good to know exactly where you stand, herpeswise. I would like to ask you: are you still not taking Valtrex? It would be good to be off of Valtrex for at least four months before you do this type specific antibody testing. The use of antiviral therapy can confuse herpes antibody test results. So once again, you need type specific igG HSV I and II antibody testing. Please let me know how this goes for you. If you have further questions please don’t hesitate to ask

Terri

[anonymous70]

Thank you for the information.

In 1989 it was a swab test. I had a sore of some sort. The doctors notes said there were 2 & he had no idea what it was. Notes said testing for Herpes & Chlamydia. Notes 2 wks later said he told me I have Herpes. Physical lab results from back then said HSV positive, Chlamydia negative. No other info on lab work.

I assumed my boyfriend of 6 months at that time gave it to me. I ran into him less than 10 years ago at a reunion. I made accusations. He told me he had no idea this had happened. I threw him out from living with me. I did find out he was seeing someone else at that time. He has never had any outbreaks or been diagnosed with it. His wife has nothing & his teenage children have nothing either. He does have Parkinson’s.

The 2012 test was also a swab. In 2012 I was still taking Valtrex. It has been well over 12 months without any Valtrex.

I see a new gyno in a few weks, but wanted to go to a testing facility here in Houston now. I want to make sure to go to the correct facility & get the correct test. Not all labs say specifically what the test exactly is. I have read about the IgG testing & thought that is what I should get. Will this test be conclusive?

[Terri Warren]

It doesn’t sound like, from what you have posted, that typing was done of the lesion (HSV 1 or HSV 2). Or perhaps you just didn’t post that part for me? If you actually did have a typed swab test, that is quite definitive. So we know you have HSV, we just might not know which type.

I think you can start with the traditional HSV 1 and 2 type specific IgG antibody test. If the HSV 2 is positive, you can stop there. If it is negative, then we need to consider HSV 1 as the cause and the IgG for HSV 1 is not terrific. How about if you go ahead and do the screening test and let me know the results and we can work on understanding them together.

Terri

[anonymous70]

Well, my test for HSV-2 is positive.

With that being said, other than using condoms & a dental dam during sex, what other precautions can be taken to protect my partner? I do plan on getting back on Valtrex. How long does it take for Valtrex to get back in my system?

As long as I am not having a breakout and we are using protection the likelihood of HSV-2 being transmitted to my partner is very slim, correct? Also, if we were to have oral sex with no protection, could HSV-2 be transmitted to my partners mouth? If so, could my partner then transmit it to their children with a simple peck on the lips? I appreciate any additional information you can give me to educate me because I have really questioned not having it, nor have I been concerned about transmitting it to others due to all the other information I supplied to you.

[Terri Warren]

If the index value for you HSV 2 result is lower than 3.5, it should be confirmed by western blot.

It takes VAltrex 5 days to be fully effective.

The odds are slim – about 2% per year having sex twice a week while taking daily therapy. It is possible but not likely that your partner could get it in their mouth. It would not be transmitted to children via the kind of kiss given to children.

Terri

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