GHSV1 yes or no: need to disclose?

[curtains]

Hi Terri, my current partner informed me that she caught GHSV1 over 4 years ago.

I thought I began showing symptoms of GHSV1;
w/c 3/1/22 painful rash on penis that has not gone away to this day.

10/1/22 First appointment doctor did not confirm visually herpes, instead ordered swab of the head of penis. The doctor also prescribed me some cream for a dry penis head as well as some precautionary anti virals.

These symptoms have persisted – with the rash reducing but then growing in size – never fully disappearing. Symptoms worsened in the next 10 days instead of improving despite anti vitals.

20/1/22 The swab came back negative. I attended the clinic for a second time. Doctor this time more confident on visual inspection that it wasn’t herpes.

24/1/22 I went away and order a blood test- it came back positive for HSV1.

Q1. Igg 1.73 – does this infer recent infection?

24/2/22 attended clinic for a third time to discuss continuing balanitis and other new symptoms – two flat marks on the penis shaft after handjob. My concern these are ulcers – however they were not blisters before hand, were painless, no raised edges, skin coloured, scabbed over in a day, scabs gone after 2 days. Doctors not convinced this was herpes – stated that she believes I do not have ghsv- and explained that blood test could be showing earlier oral exposure.

In sum:
Doctor visual diagnosis x 3= negative
Swab test = negative
Blood test = hsv1 positive

My main concern is what I would potentially have to disclose to any potential future partners.

Q2. Would you recommend stating I have GHSV1, I’ve tested positive for the cold sore virus, or nothing at all?

The experience has made me very anxious, to put it mildly.

[Terri Warren]

What was the index value on your positive HSV 1 antibody test and it was IgG or IgM? What lab did the test?
I seriously doubt that you acquired genital HSV 1 from someone who has had it for at least four years. You’ve never had a cold sore on your lip or in your nose?
If you disclose I would suggest that you simply say that you tested positive for the cold sore virus.

Terri

[curtains]

1.73 – it was Igg

No I’ve never had cold sores.

[Terri Warren]

Since this is a low positive, there is a possibility that this is a false positive. I would recommend that you confirm this result with a western blot if you want to know your true status for HSV 1.

Terri

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