HSV1 and HSV2 in same area

[Stellaluna]

For many years, I have tested positive for HSV1. Confirmed with swab test on recurrent sore on genital area and consistently positive HSV1 blood tests .
Recently had new partner and rash on one of my buttocks three days later (not really genitally – on the regular skin). Went to doctor within 12 hours of blisters occurring and had a swab test of the area.
The result was HSV2.
So both HSV1 and HSV2 in the lower region of my body.
I thought only one type could reside in either area – face or genital/lower body area.
I had a blood test for HSV2 a couple days later – the IGG, and it was negative for HSV2, I am assuming this is because it is a new infection.
Could I shed for HSV2 genitally or just where the rash was????
What is the consensus on this type of double infection???

[Terri Warren]

No, it is possible to have both types in one location. I have, however, seen a few episodes of mistyping of the virus. I would recommend the following: ask the new partner to get an antibody test to see if they are HSV 2 positive. If they are not, then it may well be an erroneously typed sample. It seems unusual to me that your first outbreak would be on the buttocks, really. Of course you will want to repeat an antibody test, regardless of the result of your partner’s testing. If you actually do have HSV 2, you would only shed from the genital area. The buttocks area skin is too thick and does not shed virus without sores present.

Consensus? I’m not sure what you mean.

Terri

[Stellaluna]

To clarify… I’ve had no sexual parters for the last year until this recent one once and then the outbreak, which swab test came back as HSV2 and the IGG blood test came back negative. I have been tested for HSV2 two other times (IGG)in the past two years and all negative.
Is it more likely the swab test is wrong and it was HSV1 spreading to another part of my body for the first time in 20 years just coincidentally after sex with someone new or is it more likely that I really do have a first outbreak of HSV2 in that area – buttocks?
My regular doc seems to think it was a first outbreak and I must have had maybe a little scratch in the area or something and said to transmit that way he would have had to have an active lesion.
He has been out of town and I kind of want to know the likelihood of all this before I confront him.

[Stellaluna]

*Before I confront the new partner and tell him he gave me HSV2

[Terri Warren]

Yes, I understand your situation. I think the more likely scenario is that you have new HSV 2 quite honestly. But either is possible. I would approach this with him from a position of confusion. Don’t confront him in an angry way because the swab could be mistyped and then you would feel badly. Just tell him that you had this lesion and it was swab test positive for HSV 2 which could suggest that you have new infection and your only partner has been him. You could also tell him that swab could have been mistyped but you need him to be antibody tested.

Terri

[Stellaluna]

Thank you so much for your advice. I will tread lightly with it when I talk to him.
One last thing– my regular doctor said that to spread HSV2 to regular skin like that, it was most likely an active lesion(s).
What do you think?

[Terri Warren]

I definitely do not agree. We know that people can do asymptomatic viral shedding in quantities when they have no lesions as when they do have lesions. I don’t believe that the virus was spread to the buttocks skin in the same way your doctor is thinking (perhaps). I think the virus went in through the genital tract and came out on the nerve that supplies that genital tract but also the buttocks. Does that make sense? That’s also a reason I’m wondering if the sample was mistyped. I think testing of your partner and later, of you, will perhaps clarify the situation considerably.

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Terri

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