Can a Person Spread HSV-2 and Never Test Positive themselves?

[Decklandislost]

Hello,

I’ve been married for over 25 years, and have never had any STD symptoms.

I’ve known that I had 1 since I was a kid being I get a fever blister every couple of years.

About 3 or so months ago, I noticed some small bumps on the head of my private area. Minor pain, however, it went away within a week or so. I didn’t give it much thought.

Two months or so later, a bit lower from the previous area, this time on the shaft area, more bumps appeared, only this time, they were white-ish in color and seemed to be excreting a bit of fluid. At that time I looked at online images, only to find it certainly appeared to be HSV-2. It was painful and lasted a couple of weeks.

I had testing performed and confirmed that I have both 1 and 2. Doc says I have had 2 for at least a couple of months according to the test results. No way to tell how long I’ve had it she said.

Put on V-meds, and all clear now.

Have since discovered that over the past 6 months or so, my spouse has been having unprotected sex with someone in our community that sleeps around. First thought is obvious. My spouse gave it to me. All that to say, she tested negative recently. Yeah, I know.

Assuming she is negative, is it possible for her to carry the HSV-2 and give to me without ever having being infected herself? Or could I have had it all these year, only for it to be dormant. Perhaps stress brought it on, however, I’ve been highly stressed other times in my life as well.

Thank You In Advance!
Devastated & At a Loss

[Decklandislost]

Test Performed:
HSV 2 igG, Type Spec Ab, IgG w/Rflx
Above High Normal 7.28

[Terri Warren]

Is this your test results or your spouses test result?
If she has a negative IgG at this time and yours is a substantial positive, it is unlikely that she gave this to you, but not impossible. The IgG test misses 8% of HSV 2 infections compared to the western blot.

Terri

[Decklandislost]

Thank you Ms. Warren, those are my results.

Worth noting. I do take a biologic for psoriatic arthritis, which suppresses my immune system a bit.

Also use a topical, Protopic (Tacrolimus) sparingly over the years for psoriasis. From my limited research, it may have made me more susceptible to HSV perhaps?

If my wife is in fact negative, being she had unprotected sex, is it possible for her to be immune to HSV2? Or is it possible for her to have remnants of the virus on her somewhere that can be transferred to me, either thru oral or intercourse? And she not test positive?

Over 25 years, no symptoms, seems hard to believe that it decides to show itself at this stage of my life. Stress, perhaps, however, I’ve been under just as much stress in the past.

All that to say, I’m no medical professional and greatly value your insight here!

Thank You!

[Terri Warren]

She would need to be infected to infect you. She would not transfer virus to you in any other way. It would be unlikely that she is yet to test positive yet you do. Has she possibly been taking antiviral medication to stop seroconversion? Has the other partner been tested, do you know?

It might be a good idea for her to get a western blot just to be certain she is really uninfected.

Have any swab tests been done of your outbreaks?

Terri

[Decklandislost]

Thank you tremendously Ms. Warren! Anything is possible in the situation I find myself in.

The other partner hasn’t been contacted; at least by me. He’d never admit to the affair, much less this. That being said, I may just ask his wife as she would probably know.

She is putting off giving me her test results short if briefly showing them to me on her phone. I’m assuming because she may be positive. However, not sure with Hipaa…..how to get the results any other way?

No swab test performed that I’m aware of.

Thanks again, you are the best!

[Terri Warren]

You mean your wife is putting off giving you her results in a meaningful way? That’s a bummer.
Are you planning to continue a sexual relationship with her? If yes, is she concerned about getting herpes from you? If not, then that would raise big questions for me about her results.

I don’t see how you would get her test results, short of suing her.

Terri

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