Herpes without symptoms

[Liljen1984]

I just tested positive for hsv 2 and I’ve never had symptoms. I am doing a second test because I don’t feel this is accurate. I’ve tested negative every year at my annual exam. My boyfriend of over a year just tested positive for hsv 1. He’s never had symptoms of either type as well. Do we both need to be on antivirals and what do I do now?

[Terri Warren]

So you had a test last year for HSV and it was negative for both types and this year you are positive for HSV 2? Have you had any other partners other than the boyfriend that tested negative?
What is the number associated with your positive value? That’s a very important question as there are false positives out there if the number is between 1.1 and 3.5. Let me know.

Terri

[Liljen1984]

My value was 3.79 for hsv 2 and his hsv 1 was 5. I’ve not had any other partners but him in the last year and a half.

[Terri Warren]

And you are absolutely certain that you tested for herpes last year, at least 4 months after you had sex with anyone else but him? If that is true, then you need the western blot for confirmation of this HSV 2 result. Even though the index value is over 3.5, this makes no sense that you would be positive at this point. Can you double check your test results for last year?

Terri

[Liljen1984]

I will definitely be calling to check on that. As far as antivirals, do we both need to be on them if it’s positive or just me?

[Terri Warren]

If it is only you that is infected, then yes, you taking antiviral therapy will reduce the risk of infecting him by about 50%. Him taking antiviral therapy really does not help anything, unfortunately. If your last testing did include HSV 2 and it was negative, then you definitely need a western blot.

Terri

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