High Index Value

[goodguy]

Hey I am a 27 year old male and the last time I tested for hsv 1 & 2 was in 2019. Both negative IGG tests. Never got tested for herpes again. Had a handful of partners from 2020-2021 some with condoms, some without. Nothing long term but met someone in early 2022

Right now I have a long term partner since early 2022 that I don’t use condoms with. I have another partner for about 3 months starting in April 2023 that I don’t use condoms with. 1 last partner about 3 weeks ago (middle of June) that I did use condoms with but she gave me oral without one

Now about 2 weeks ago I noticed a small bump/scab on my shaft. Didn’t think anything of it though because I just cleared a full STD test about a month ago all negative.

Something told me to get check for herpes though. Doctor did a physical exam and ordered the test on June 28th. I got an IGG test by labcorp with an index value of 3.45. Doctor called me and told me I was positive for hsv 2 and recommended I take valacyclovir 1 tablet (1,000 mg total) by mouth 2 times a day for 7 days.

I’m dealing with a lot of emotions right now and I know if the index value is between 1.1-3.5 it can be a false positive but my first question is:

1. Should I finish the medication, and take the western blot to be 100% sure? If the medication interferes with the test, should I stop medication and take the test to confirm I have it?

2. If this is an outbreak, when did I get infected? Is it possible to have gotten infected years ago and just now have an outbreak or does this mean I was recently exposed.

3. What do you think and what do you think would be my best course of action moving forward?

[goodguy]

Not a bump, just redness. Also is there any chance this could be something else. I have another test for Monday 7/10

[goodguy]

Quick update: the partner that I started with in April that I wasn’t using condoms with, had her results come back negative for hsv 1 & 2

[Terri Warren]

1. Should I finish the medication, and take the western blot to be 100% sure? If the medication interferes with the test, should I stop medication and take the test to confirm I have it?
Seven days of Valtrex will not interfere with the testing for the blot, but probably no need to finish the meds at this point

2. If this is an outbreak, when did I get infected? Is it possible to have gotten infected years ago and just now have an outbreak or does this mean I was recently exposed.
If you’ve had a negative IgG test in 2019, then if this is accurate, you were infected somewhere between 2019 and 2023

3. What do you think and what do you think would be my best course of action moving forward?
Get a western blot AND if you get more lesions on your penis, get them swab tested.

Terri

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