Dealing with HSV1(g)

[Somanyquestions]

Thank God I found this place!!! I tested positive for HSV1(g) from a viral culture in August 2013 during an initial outbreak. At the time I was in a committed relationship. We had been together since 2011 and were living together. He was blood-tested and his results came back negative. I have lived a conservative lifestyle so I have no idea where I got it. During an employment drug test, I fell hard on the toilet seat a week prior the outbreak so my doc was confident that was how I got it, even though I doubt that. Even though my boyfriend said he was OK with it and we worked out our precautions, our sex life disappeared along with any intimacy. Neither of us could face the risk. He left last month. Now I am forced to educate myself and figure out how to move forward. I asked my doctor for a blood test and she said the type does not matter and a blood test is not necessary. I am not sure if my culture result of HSV1 is accurate, especially since I have had recurring outbreaks monthly and been having a constant outbreak for over a month due to the stress of this all. I started Acyclovir 800 mg and lysine 1000 mg daily two weeks ago and it keeps the outbreak at bay but I feel a burning sensation in my hands and face a lot of the time. If I miss a day, I start to feel it come back. I am working on reducing stress but some of that will just take time.

Questions: (1) What is the risk of transmission from kissing while I am in this state? I am worried about being super contagious since I am so symptomatic. Can I be shedding from my face or hands even though I have never seen a rash in that area? (2) Is there a specific test that I can ask for from my doctor, who frankly seems uneducated on this topic? (3) Is there a chance that the HSV1 culture result was incorrect and that I have HSV2 or have both? Do I have enough information to say with confidence that I am HSV2 negative? (5) I see you recommend websites for testing, but I have health insurance through Kaiser CA. Should I try to work through my insurance or just give up and go outside the system and work through specialty clinics? (6) the posts on this site indicate to me that I have a lot to learn, but there is a lot of false information online. What do you recommend in terms of resources for me? Thanks!!!

[Terri Warren]

(1) What is the risk of transmission from kissing while I am in this state? I am worried about being super contagious since I am so symptomatic. Can I be shedding from my face or hands even though I have never seen a rash in that area?

Unless you acquired the virus both orally and genitally at the same time, you are not infectious from your face and hands, no.
(2) Is there a specific test that I can ask for from my doctor, who frankly seems uneducated on this topic?
I think the swab test indicating HSV 1 is really adequate. The fact that it was both positive AND typed suggests to me that it is accurate.

(3) Is there a chance that the HSV1 culture result was incorrect and that I have HSV2 or have both? Do I have enough information to say with confidence that I am HSV2 negative?
Did you have an antibody test for HSV 2 also?

(5) I see you recommend websites for testing, but I have health insurance through Kaiser CA. Should I try to work through my insurance or just give up and go outside the system and work through specialty clinics?

I honestly don’t think you need more testing unless you have not had an antibody test for HSV 2.
(6) the posts on this site indicate to me that I have a lot to learn, but there is a lot of false information online. What do you recommend in terms of resources for me? Thanks!!!

I would use the ASHA website only. They have been in business for more than 100 years as a non profit, and their information is the best.

The screening test for hSV 1 misses at least 2 out of 10 cases of HSV 1 and probably many more. the best test for HSV 1 is the herpes western blot. I would strongly suggest that your departed partner get a western blot (our clinic can order that) as the screening test may well have missed his HSV 1 infection. And what a shame that he could not work through this very minor health concern to stay with you through this. Pretty sad, IMHO.

I doubt that the burning in your face and hands had anything to do with your HSV 1 genital infection.

Terri

[Somanyquestions]

The only test I received was a swab during an outbreak in 2013. The result was “virus culture result: HSV type 1 isolated.”‘ I have not had any blood work done. From whom and what do I request to get an antibody test done? Is it accurate while I am on anti-virals?

[Terri Warren]

The only reason to do any blood antibody testing is to determine if you have HSV 2, which I strongly suspect you do not have. If you test for HSV 1 antibody, you may or may not be positive. The screening test misses lots of infection but we know you are positive for HSV 1 anyway because you are positive by swab test. The HSV 2 screening test is quite good so you could that one. The HSV 1 antibody test could also miss the HSV 1 antibody because you don’t have any yet because you are on antiviral therapy. I honestly think you don’t need more testing unless it is solely to look for HSV 2 infection.

Terri

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