HSV2 positive? Transmission?

[Hpositiveconcern]

About one month ago I went to the ob/gyn for an annual and decided to get the whole STD work up just to be safe, not really expecting anything to come back positive. However, after having blood work done, I was told that I was positive for HSV 2, with a “score” of 3.82. After shock, and tons of other negative emotions that I’m still experiencing, it’s hard for me to believe that I really have herpes and it isn’t a false positive. I can’t say I for certain haven’t had any symptoms. Once, about 2 weeks before going to the dr. I experienced intense vaginal itching for about two days. Now after research and reading about how itching may be a symptom, I can see that as a possible first outbreak. However, I remain incredulous. My question is, what is the likelihood of a false pos, in your opinion. I’m also curious about transmission. Since the herpes diagnosis I’ve been a mess, obsessing and even having nightmares about sores appearing all over. So I went back to my dr. and procured a rx for 500mg of valacyclovir to be taken daily for peace of mind. I’ve looked but can’t find any research stats on likelihood for transmission, female to male, while on suppression therapy, and symptom free. Do you have any info on that?

Thanks so so much!!

[Terri Warren]

At 3.8, I think there is probably a 95% chance that you would confirm with western blot, but I have had three positives over 3.5 that did not confirm with western blot this year. Itching can certainly be a symptom but it usually doesn’t present completely alone with no lesions

If you take daily therapy at your dose AND your partner uses condoms AND he knows about the herpes AND you average sex about twice per week AND you have no outbreaks at the time of intercourse, there is a 1-2% chance a male partner will become infected with HSV 2 from you.

I’m so sorry you are sad and upset. But even though you don’t think so now, this ease over time.

Terri

[Hpositiveconcern]

Hi Terri,

Thank you so much for your advice. Because I am still not ready to wholeheartedly believe that I’m HSV II positive, I recently was re-tested with the igg test and received back a decreased index score of 3.2. Does this decreased level, but still in the 3 range, confirm to you that I am undoubtedly positive? Or rather, does it indicate that there’s more of a chance for error? I know it isn’t uncommon to never have symptoms, but just fyi, still symptom free.

Thank you!

[Terri Warren]

I would say that a 3.2 is really very close to a 3.8, but it does not confirm that you are HSV 2 positive because now you are technically in the low positive range (1.1 to 3.5). I think we are back to considering the western blot for confirmation of your HSV 2 status.

Terri

[Author]

Posts