GHSV-1 and confused.

[Rivers]

Hello, I recently tested positive for HSV-1. I have never had any symptoms of HSV-1 oral or genital. My index for my first test IgG was 2.93 and it was not currently active. I got tested again 5 months later IgG and IgM to see if it was currently active because I had no symptoms. My second test came back positive HSV-1 with an index of IgG 2.43 and IgM 1.21. My doctor said that this meant I was currently active. Since I had nothing on my face and no other symptoms I decided to look at my vaginal area. After poking and prodding I found one white spot. It was flat and didn’t feel scabbed or like a blister and was not painful to touch. I went back to the doctors and got it swabbed to make sure. 6 days later I got back my test that I was positive for GHSV-1. I have been negative every time for HSV-2. My questions are that even with the swab is there still a chance I have a false positive? Seeing as I have had no other symptoms ever in my life and all I have now is one small white mark? My second question is what are the odds of transmission genital to genital if I do have GHSV-1. For dates my first test was January 9, 2021, my second test was May 1st, 2022 and my vaginal swab was May 18th, 2022.

[Terri Warren]

If the swab test was positive from a specific area that looked different than the surrounding tissue, I believe that you can count on the swab.
There is no data on how likely genital to genital transmission of HSV 1 is, but I can tell you that it is a low risk. I personally have not seen someone who acquired genital HSV 1 who has not received oral sex in the 10 days prior to their first outbreak.

Terri

[Rivers]

Is it possible for your initial out break to be one white spot? I ask because I’ve never had any symptoms before except for the recent small white mark on my inner Labia. Which does not hurt to touch has not been scabbed over and doesn’t look like a blister but was swabbed and came back positive. Everything I’ve read says their first out break was either horrible symptoms or nothing at all, but I can’t come across anything where they have one small mark and no other symptoms. I’ve never had any symptoms as described for HSV-1 genital. Also I’ve never had an oral symptoms either.

[Terri Warren]

Herpes outbreaks can vary greatly from person to person. The white spot must have been sufficiently concerning for someone to swab test it and you should believe the positive swab combined with the positive IgG test.

Terri

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