low positive hsv2 igg with possible symptoms

[anxiousneedhelp]

Went into my gyno for routine std testing. They suggested I do bloodwork since I have had 3 different male partners in the last 6 months. With 2 of them we always used condoms for penetrative sex but never for giving/receiving oral sex. With one of them, we started out using a condom for penetration but after it broke we continued without protection and had penetrative sex multiple times afterwards without protection.
My bloodwork came back low positive for HSV2 (1.31) (from Quest). A nurse from my gyno’s office called and told me that my result meant that I had HSV2. I asked about the note on my result that recommended confirmatory testing for this low positive result and she said that she’s never seen a false positive before but she could order a retest if I wanted. I realized that she just ordered another IGG test instead of the inhibition assay that is recommended for confirmatory testing. I’ve been considering getting a WB done instead.
Naturally, my anxiety has been extremely high and I have been on alert for symptoms. I started experiencing a tingling, itching sensation and noticed red spots (or bumps, hard to tell) on my vulva. I have seen some pictures of hsv2 outbreaks that look rather similar to what I noticed. I never noticed anything blister-like or painful and after 2-3 days they were completely gone. However, based on the combination of the IGG result, these symptoms, and the unprotected sex, I have been starting to mentally/emotionally come to terms with the likelihood that I am truly positive. In my case, do you think it it still worth doing the wb just to be certain since I didn’t go in to get swabbed while I had possible symptoms?
If it does turn out that I am truly positive for hsv2, do I have to disclose anything before kissing? What about before giving oral sex? Will I have to be concerned with the hsv2 spreading to another part of my body, like my mouth?
Are you still doing video appts? Tried making an appt but shows no availability.Thanks.

[Terri Warren]

I certainly recommend the western blot for you! But you can’t do it sooner than 12 weeks from any unprotected encounter. I think you should ask the most recent unprotected person to get an IgG test and if negative, that would be very helpful in sorting this out AND you could do the blot sooner!

Terri

[anxiousneedhelp]

Since the time I made my original post, I have been continuing to get these possible symptoms basically every two weeks. Each time, they are only present for 1 to 3 days. Once a few weeks ago, I went to urgent care to get them looked at and they told me that it did not look like herpes to them and did not swab me. I’ve been trying to go back and insist on a swab but so far, every time I finally find the time/courage to go in, the possible symptoms are gone. I plan on trying again next time I see them but in the meantime I was just wondering what you think of this pattern of possible outbreaks? From what I’ve read, an outbreak every 2 weeks would be way more frequent than usual.
1. Have you seen any similar frequency of outbreaks in an HSV2+ patient before?
2. Is there a specific type of swab that I should ask for?

[anxiousneedhelp]

Just wanted to add that I actually ordered the 24 7 lab kit I saw you mention in some previous posts. Also, recently the frequency of possible symptoms has actually been more like every few days I’ll notice the sort of red spots (which tend to itch) and they’ll be completely gone overnight or in less than a day. Just wondering if you think this kind of pattern could be consistent with hsv2 outbreaks or how unlikely/unusual it would be?

[Terri Warren]

I doubt that these symptoms have anything to do with herpes. It just doesn’t behave in this way. Did you do the swab?

Terri

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