HSV1 and Valtrex impact on HSV 2 blood test

[Bluegirl97]

Hi Terri,

Long story short, my possible exposure was 4/30/2022. I had protected sex and a short time of unprotected sex, as the condom was removed towards the end without my knowledge (maybe for about 3 minutes). This partner claimed they do not have HSV2 to his knowledge, i.e its unknown. I have a previous GHSV-1 infection and was in a long term relationship that recently ended, thus taking 400mg valacyclovir for safe measures for about 4 years now. I’ve been getting full panel STD screenings every 3-4 months as a practice. So if i did have HSV 2 it would be from this one encounter. I got an IGG blood test for HSV 2 at 5 weeks, 7 weeks and 10 weeks. And they were all negative. Each time i’ve gotten a blood test, i was off suppressive medicine for 7-10 days. My question is, could the suppressive medicine, even though a lower does, be delaying my antibody production and is it worth it to keep worrying and getting tested. (My obygn says my anxiety is getting the best of me) but i wanted to hear from an expert. Thank you

[Terri Warren]

Well, it is possible that the suppressive therapy could be impacting your antibody results. But without any symptoms, it seems like an HSV 2 infection is still unlikely. Being off meds for 7-10 days is simply not enough to eliminate the impact of antiviral medication.

One contact of three minutes is unlikely to transmit herpes and that and the lack of symptoms provides some reassurance that you are unlikely to be infected.

Terri

• This reply was modified 7 months, 4 weeks ago by Terri Warren.

[Bluegirl97]

Hi Terry,
Following up, to clarify i was off the antivirals for a TOTAL of a over month (4.5 weeks) at the 10 weeks mark not 7-10 days. Also, i went back at the 12 week mark, so at 12 weeks i was off antivirals for a total of more than 6 weeks. Could i trust those results or should I stay off antivirals and keep testing?

[Terri Warren]

I think you should consider staying off antivirals for three months and retest. If you get symptoms during that three months, have them swab tested.

However, if you do have herpes, not taking antivirals will, of course, increase viral shedding rates.

Terri

[Bluegirl97]

Ok. At this point im almost 2 months of antivirals, so waiting another month will be totally doable. Thank you!

I know this is my last reply, so just to clarify, you mean only if i have acquired a new HSV 2 infection, then it will increase that shedding? Because what i read these past few years , at this point stopping the anti virals will not increase or effect the shedding of my current GHSV1 for the most part? Correct? (its 5 years old infection, and my only outbreak was my primary one)

[Terri Warren]

Correct. Conceptually, suppressive therapy should offer some benefit for those with genital HSV 1, but we really aren’t sure, because HSV 1 genitally is already so quiet, we just aren’t sure how much benefit is derived in that situation.

Terri

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