HSV 1 Help

[confused000]

I’m 31 year old Male. I’ve never had a cold sore in my life nor have I seen any family members with one.
My first girlfriend who I lost my virginity to in 2022, ends up having oHSV1. We were together for an entire year. She genuinely didn’t know she had it at the time. Towards the end, she had her first cold sore ever and tested positive for HSV1 in Nov 2022 (Swab & IGG)
We have not been together since then, but are still in contact. I’ve taken 3 STD tests since Nov 2022. Both IGG & IGM tests are negative, with low index values >.9.
This week, I feel like I had my first cold sore possibly? It was a large red bump right on my lip line. But not on the lip its self, but very close. I had a burning sensation where the bump was, something I’ve never felt with acme.
I went to urgent care, did an HSV culture & STD Test. The doctor there said there wasn’t any fluid for him to pop and swab, so he swabbed the top of the bump best he could. He said he thinks it looked like a cold sore.
All test results have now come up empty again. Still low IGG value.
I just really need to know, do I have this? How can I be sure? Can this come up in 5 years from now?
I still talk to my ex. If I do really have this, then I’m totally fine in continuing my relationship with her. I’m sorry that sounds shallow, but I don’t think I can survive dating with this.

[Terri Warren]

Just so know you, about half the US population between 14 and 49 have HSV 1 so very common indeed.
On one hand you say the tests came back negative but on the other hand you say you have a low IgG value. Is that negative low value or a low positive.

If you want to know your HSV 1 status for sure, get a western blot for clarit

Terri

[confused000]

Hello,
Thanks for your response. By low IGG value I mean it’s less then .9, which according to the test is in the negative range.
Is it wrong for me to ask her to go on anti virals now? She’s only had one cold sore. I understand how common it is, and I have accepted this for myself. But I also have a fear of the future, possibly spreading it to the rest of my family somehow. My future kids get it, then it spreads to my parents? I know I am being paranoid. But this whole thing is tough to grapple with. I really do love this girl. It makes me feel like a terrible person, the only reason I’d stop seeing her is because of cold sores

[Terri Warren]

Oh, so you tested negative for HSV 1 then. the IgG test for HSV 1 misses 30% of infections compared to the western blot. You symptoms sound like they could be HSV but negative swab test seems like the lesion was not herpes.

You could ask her to go on suppressive therapy sure. But if you decide not to be with her because of this, the next person you date may be infected but not know it and tell you they don’t have it and then get infected from someone with asymptomatic infection. But your call. I think this criteria for choosing a life partner is pretty questionable, given the high prevalence of this infection, but your call.

Terri

[confused000]

Hello,
Thanks for the reply.
I have not been with her for 1 year. Even though we still talk. I’ve had 4 separate STD panels through out the year, all with negative results for HSV 1. Is it possible that I already have it now & it is dormant & that’s why I haven’t tested positive yet? Or given I haven’t been with anyone for 1 year and haven’t tested positive since potential exposure, that I actually do not have it?
That area around my lip has pretty much healed. It never blistered or wept clear fluid, might have been a pimple or ingrown hair. I feel a slight tingle sensation in that area frequently since it healed. I know that is a symptom of HSV.
If I tested negative on the western blot, does that mean it will not suddenly pop up in the future (given I’m not exposed again from another source)?
I have come to terms with getting it, but still in the back of my mind I’m nervous. Honestly its been consuming my thoughts for the past year.

[Terri Warren]

If you are negative for HSV 1 by western blot, there is a 96% chance you don’t have HSV 1, correct. And HSV 1 would not pop up in the future, correct, unless you are infected by someone else.

Terri

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