IGG Testing

[AnonUser12345]

I was diagnosed with genital HSV1 back in November of 2018 via a cultural swab. I went on antivirals soon after, and took them about once every other day for the next 4 years. However, during this time, I consistently tested negative for HSV 1 via IGG test (values ranging from .4 to .16). I still believed I had HSV1, as I was on antivirals during this time. During those 4 years, I was with 1 partner. We have since broke up and I have had sex with about 3 partners since then. I have also started taking the antivirals once a day. I got into a new relationship in December of 2022, and have only had sex with this one person ever since (they are also aware of my HSV1 status). I recently went and got re-tested, and have now been showing positive for HSV 1 via IGG with a range from 1.21 to 1.35 (different tests). This does not really concern me, as I have always thought I had HSV 1 genitally. However, I have been concerned about my rising HSV2 numbers.

For HSV 2 IGG;

Jan 9th was .068
Feb 7th was .072
April 20th was .077
May 4th was .081

These values concern me for 2 reasons. 1) They are rising values. 2) A while back, my current boyfriend said he cut his penis shaving and had a scab from it. It did not look concerning to me at the time, but now I am worried.

My questions are:

1) Should I be concerned that these HSV 2 IGG numbers are rising?
2) Should I re-test for HSV 2, since its only been about 3 weeks since my “exposure” with his penis cut and when I tested? And since conversion may take longer for me since I have HSV1 and have been on antivirals for now about 5 years?

And less vital to me, but curious to know:
3) What are your thoughts on my HSV 1 history given I had a positive swab, negative IGG test for 4 years, and now low IGG values?

• This topic was modified 4 weeks, 1 day ago by AnonUser12345.

[AnonUser12345]

To add, I have not had any outbreaks since my initial outbreak of GHSV 1 in 2018, which was negative for HSV 2.

[Terri Warren]

1) Should I be concerned that these HSV 2 IGG numbers are rising?
No. But the cut on the penis does worry me. Has he been tested for HSV 2? It is very normal for these numbers to rise and fall over time – you are still negative but I would consider asking him to test.

2) Should I re-test for HSV 2, since its only been about 3 weeks since my “exposure” with his penis cut and when I tested? And since conversion may take longer for me since I have HSV1 and have been on antivirals for now about 5 years?
I would say that it is likely that your HSV 1 index values would increase quite a lot if you stopped antiviral medication. But you don’t need to. Your index values don’t matter since you had a positive swab test. There is no need to continue testing for HSV 1.

And less vital to me, but curious to know:
3) What are your thoughts on my HSV 1 history given I had a positive swab, negative IGG test for 4 years, and now low IGG values?
See above, please.

Terri

[AnonUser12345]

Thank you so much! I had a few follow up questions and so I purchased my next round. This is all in relation to my above description of my past infection of GHSV-1 and my new HSV-2 tests.

1) So my current boyfriend (said he cut his penis shaving) tested for hsv-2 during his last relationship and was negative. Therefore, unless there was cheating, he should be good correct?

2) Out of anxiety, I tested 3 days after my last IGG to find that once again my hsv-2 IGG had risen (from 0.081 to a 0.084). I know this is only marginally higher than my very first test (0.068). But now with 5 test that are rising in the past 6 months, I am concerned. Do you believe this is an issue? Or, like you said, can I expect this to be normal and my numbers to simply rise now and fall in the future? If I was not on daily antivirals (for my GHSV-1), I would trust these negative tests. However, I am just wanting to ask an expert.

3) Is it alright for me to trust my negative HSV-2, even though its rising and i’m on antivirals, and just wait to test again if I see symptoms or something else comes up?

4) In the past (before my recent new sex partners), my HSV-2 value has always shown <0.1. If i do decide to test again in a few months and my HSV-2 rose ABOVE 0.1, is this cause for concern? I am wondering if there may be some cross-reactivity with my HSV-1 since I am JUST NOW testing positive for type 1, but have had GHSV-1 for 4.5 years? I saw that you mentioned cross-reactivity between HSV-1 and HSV-2 IGG tests in earlier posts.

I just want to add how appreciative I am of all your work. This disease is so minor, but the stigma is HORRIBLE. People like you have kept me sane all these years.

• This reply was modified 3 weeks, 2 days ago by AnonUser12345.

[AnonUser12345]

I just wanted to add that my concern for all of this stems from the fact that I slept with 4 guys last year (each guy only one time, but each was unprotected). They all have said they are HSV-2 negative (although not sure if they actually did test). And now am in a committed relationship and just want to be as open and honest with my partner as I can.

[Terri Warren]

1) So my current boyfriend (said he cut his penis shaving) tested for hsv-2 during his last relationship and was negative. Therefore, unless there was cheating, he should be good correct?
Agree

2) Out of anxiety, I tested 3 days after my last IGG to find that once again my hsv-2 IGG had risen (from 0.081 to a 0.084). I know this is only marginally higher than my very first test (0.068). But now with 5 test that are rising in the past 6 months, I am concerned. Do you believe this is an issue? Or, like you said, can I expect this to be normal and my numbers to simply rise now and fall in the future? If I was not on daily antivirals (for my GHSV-1), I would trust these negative tests. However, I am just wanting to ask an expert.
These values vary normally, I am not concerned about that very tiny increase.

3) Is it alright for me to trust my negative HSV-2, even though its rising and i’m on antivirals, and just wait to test again if I see symptoms or something else comes up?
Yes, I believe that would be fine.

4) In the past (before my recent new sex partners), my HSV-2 value has always shown <0.1. If i do decide to test again in a few months and my HSV-2 rose ABOVE 0.1, is this cause for concern? I am wondering if there may be some cross-reactivity with my HSV-1 since I am JUST NOW testing positive for type 1, but have had GHSV-1 for 4.5 years? I saw that you mentioned cross-reactivity between HSV-1 and HSV-2 IGG tests in earlier posts.
I would not worry unless your value came back at >1.1
But I honestly think it is time to stop testing. I see no benefit really, at this point

Terri

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