HSV

[Concerned124]

Hi Terri,
I asked a question on another website which is down for maintenance so I’m hoping to catch you here.

I’ve had 2 partners in over 25 years. One was a long term relationship and one is a new partner. I was recently diagnosed with HSV-2 from a swab, which is devastating.
– After hearing my diagnosis, the new partner met with his doctor and his IGG test was negative. He had a partner 1 1/2 years before me and used a condom. Based on his sexual history, no symptoms and no feedback from other partners, his doctor said 100% that he does not have HSV-2. My gynecologist says having no antibodies is strange. The timeline kind of fits but the test results do not. You recommended a western blot, which the new partner may do.

I had an IGG test done 12 weeks from sexual contact (unprotected), which is 10.7. Does this suggest an older or more recent infection? I had an outbreak when my blood was drawn (not on valtrex) so perhaps that is a factor.

Thank you so much for answering my question.

[Terri Warren]

The antibody result just tells you that you’re infected and it isn’t brand new. it doesn’t help sort out the timing of the acquisition.

Did you actually see the result to know it was an IgG test, not an IgM test?
If he’s not infected, it is not at all strange to not have antibody. I don’t know what your doctor was thinking there.
And you are certain that what you have HSV 2, not HSV 1? It was actually typed, correct?

The IgG test misses 8% of HSV 2, compared to the gold standard herpes western blot. So it possible that the test misses and infection in him. Is there any concern that he had recently had a new partner and had not yet had time to develop antibody?
Are you able to get tesdt results from your previous partner?

Terri

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