Just tested hsv2+

[nonametobeshared]

On 2/8 I had blood drawn and received a negative hsv1 result and a positive hsv2 result:
HSV 2 IGG, TYPE SPECIFIC AB 8.99
(Lab was Quest Diagnostics)

What’s the likelihood that the infection is from an encounter on 1/10 or more recently than that? From what I can tell it’s highly unlikely with an IGG positive test, really just trying to determine how far back I need to contact past partners.

I’ve never experienced any type of tingling, pain, or open lesions as commonly described with hsv2. Now that I’ve received the positive diagnosis, I’m reevaluating everything I’ve experienced in the last month or so. I do have a single raised, hard red bump that’s slightly sore and has not changed in several days. I was recently waxed so anytime I have something similar I’ve attributed it to an ingrown hair that eventually makes its way out and heals. A few days prior to the std screening I had a sore throat with swollen tonsils, and then 2 days after the screening I experienced slight bleeding after sex. Beyond that I’ve experienced slight white discharge that I haven’t noticed before and I feel some irritation when urinating that will dissipate after a day or so. On one hand I feel that I’m nitpicking everything possible but on the other I’m wondering if I missed any signs. Do lesions present differently on people, like not all blister with fluid?

My doc has yet to reach out about the results but I want to get started on antivirals as a daily routine to cut down on shedding the virus. Will consistent antiviral and condom use with penetrative sex going forward significantly reduce the chances of transmission? Then not knowing where exactly I am infected, how likely is transmission with giving non-protected oral sex?

Lastly, do you see any benefit to requesting the Western Blot test? I haven’t really been able to find a true index of what the IGG test can show beyond >1.09 being recognized as positive.

[Terri Warren]

I’ve had false positives as high as 14, but not often.
The IgG test just looks for antibody to the herpes virus and generally speaking, the higher the value,the longer the infection but that isn’t true every time. I suppose it is possible that you could have gotten infected a month before this value but I would say unlikely.

If you take daily antiviral medicine and your partners use condoms regularly, the risk of transmission is quite low.

Terri

[nonametobeshared]

I’m going to go ahead and do the Western Blot at the beginning of May (12 weeks from last concerning encounter).
I started antivirals for suppression to prevent transmission to anyone else. How long should I be off the antivirals before I do the Western Blot?

Is it okay to request the kit now if it’s going to be a while before I complete the testing?

[Terri Warren]

You can definitely request the kit now if you are doing the test in May. It’s good for about 6 months. We try to avoid antivirals IF someone thinks they have a brand new infection. Do you think that could be you? I doubt it with your index value. I think it’s OK to continue with the antivirals.

Terri

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