Could it be a false positive

[Help1122]

Hello Terri.
So I had a sore on my genital area that came back positive for Hsv 1. My boyfriend gets cold sores and is positive for Hsv 1. They got a positive swab igg for Hsv 1 and negative igg for type 2. They also did blood work igm I’ve heard this results in a lot of false positive if you have type 1 resulting in positive type 2. My results for igm were Hsv 1- 1:40 and for Hsv 2 – 1:20

Could it be false positive for Hsv 2.

[Terri Warren]

It absolutely could be a false positive for HSV 2.
ARe you living in the US? I haven’t seen a titer result in many years and you are correct to ignore the IgM test. The only one you want is the IgG test. What a shame that someone did the wrong test and confused you!

Terri

[Help1122]

Yes I’m in fort myers, Florida . Sadly it was my OB-GYN who ordered that test for me as I’m currently pregnant causing me more distress.
The titer result cut off is at 1:20 as well. So for type 1 Igm it was 1:40. My IgG was 18 <.90 and type 2 was negative IgG but IgM was 1:20 right at the cutoff. I really don’t think it’s Hsv 2 the swab came back negative for that and positive for type 1 and I got tested 3 years ago for both types and was negative for both I’m assuming I must have had type 1 for a while and just now experienced a outbreak. Been with my boyfriend 9 years and he has it. It was a risk I knew about but the Hsv 2 doesn’t make sense to me…unless he cheated.

[Help1122]

Should I get another IgG test or a western blot ?

[Help1122]

I got a igg blood test at a anylabtestnow location Hsv 1 came back at 8.0 reference range being <.90 and my Hsv 2 came back negative at 0.2 this is a little over 2 weeks since initial outbreak and I haven’t had intimacy with my boyfriend in a few months I would say about 3 months since my pregnancy has been difficult. Do you believe im in the clear or should I retest.

[Terri Warren]

If your boyfriend also tests negative for HSV 2, you can stop worrying.
Also, it is important that your OB knows and pays attention to the fact that you have genital HSV 1 and closer to delivery puts you on suppressive therapy to reduce the risk of needing a c-section at the time of delivery due to an outbreak. It will also reduce viral shedding at the time of delivery.

Terri

[Help1122]

Ok thank you. Yes she is aware will start me on them starting from 34 weeks.
I have another concern as well my ob doesn’t give me much confidence in her knowledge on the case. she told me that even if I have it genitally I can still give it to my baby by kissing because I’ll shed the virus from everywhere same for my boyfriend. but that it’s not encourage for parents not to kiss their babies to just avoid their lips and just do the head and cheeks.
1.So what precautions should we take with our baby? His parents have cold sores as well so I want to be well informed.

2. Can I spread it orally as well like she said ? I’ve never gotten cold sores .

3. As far as our intimacy goes, since he gave it to me genitally from oral , i never gotten a cold sore we would always wait a week after it was fully healed but can he get it back genitally ?

[Terri Warren]

There is so much that your provider has to learn about herpes!
If you have HSV 1 genitally and not orally, kissing your baby is zero risk.

1.So what precautions should we take with our baby? His parents have cold sores as well so I want to be well informed.
Your partner and his parents should not kiss the baby when they have a cold sore. You may have to be the one to enforce that.

2. Can I spread it orally as well like she said ? I’ve never gotten cold sores .
See above. No

3. As far as our intimacy goes, since he gave it to me genitally from oral , i never gotten a cold sore we would always wait a week after it was fully healed but can he get it back genitally ?
Great question and a common one. the risk of him getting it genitally now is very close to zero. I have seen that happen once in my practice and had someone tell me online that it happened to them, that’s it.

Terri

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