Monogamous for Decades

[anon22506]

Hi!

This week I was diagnosed with HSV1 through a PCR swab. Initially my gyn thought it was a bartholin cyst – lots of swelling – but a small spot of irritation was present so she tested for HSV. The swelling and irritation began Saturday. Sunday I had a fever and muscle aches, which were gone by Monday.

This has taken me completely off guard because I’ve been with the same partner for 20 years now. (Currently 41 – almost half my life!) I have never been unfaithful in any sense of the word and I trust him implicitly and know he has never been unfaithful, either.

The last few weeks leading to this point have been stressful with some work and life events – sleep deprived, as well, due to stress. Additionally, I had to begin taking a hormonal birth control pill for the first time in over 12 years when my copper IUD shattered upon removal about 2 weeks ago. I’ve read all of those factors can leave a person susceptible.

It seems to me there are only two ways this could have happened. 1) My husband has it and has been asymptomatic the entirety of our relationship and I’ve just now caught it due to the above factors 2) A partner from over 20 years ago gave it to me and it laid dormant without symptoms until now. I just don’t know how else this could happen?

My questions:
1) Is either scenario likely? Have you ever heard of anything like this?

2) If symptoms began Saturday, when am I in the clear on new sores appearing? I only have one so far, and this is day 5 or 6.

3) I’ve forgotten the third question but I’ll send it when it comes to me!

I’m so anxious to hear you thoughts and any reassurance you can offer in regards to a situation like this.

Thank you!!

[anon22506]

After reading through many of the questions and answers on this forum, I thought it would be helpful to note that we have a very active sex life, including oral, which has happened a few times in the past few weeks. My husband can’t remember if he has ever had cold sores or not. The ones he mentioned from childhood were inside his lip, more like a canker sore.

[Terri Warren]

1) Is either scenario likely? Have you ever heard of anything like this?
I have heard of something like this many times actually. Since genital HSV 1 rarely recurs, it is always a surprise to someone when it shows up. Had you had antibody testing done at the time of the swab test, we could have know how long approximately you’ve been infected. You could still have it done

2) If symptoms began Saturday, when am I in the clear on new sores appearing? I only have one so far, and this is day 5 or 6.
Maybe – hard to say.

3) I’ve forgotten the third question but I’ll send it when it comes to me!

Your husband should have an antibody test for HSV 1 probably. Might be helpful in sorting through this question. Unless this is brand new infection, which it could be from your husband giving you oral sex, you are likely not to have many recurrences at all.

Terri

[anon22506]

Hi Terri –

I just received my IgG test result and it came back negative for both strains of HSV. (“Not detected.”)

My husband is in the process of getting an antibody test through his family doctor, but they want to see him in person and I’m not sure when he’ll be able to make that happen.

In the meantime, I was curious if my negative IgG test is helpful in determining anything in regards to when I caught HSV1? If it had been ‘hiding’ in my body for decades (from a partner in college) would that be detectable on IgG, or can it truly be silent in every way for that length of time? (My assumption is no, because then how would asymptomatic people ever show as positive on blood tests?)

So, while I wait weeks for him to get in, get tested, and get results, I wanted to check in and see if this development (my negative IgG) “means” anything?

Thank you again!

[Terri Warren]

The problem with this result is that the IgG for HSV 1 misses 30% of infections so with only this result, it’s difficult to know. However, if you test again in 6 weeks and it’s positive for HSV 1, then you could reasonably deduct that your outbreak was a primary outbreak.

Terri

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