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[Confuse]

Hi Terri, just renewed my subscription . Last time you mentioned I had received a titter test and needed a type specific one for antibodies; I had also mentioned that I was diagnosed visually when I developed blisters that itched more than they hurt and burned when I had to pee;not in cluster or inside the vagina; just a couple around the area. I received medication for them and was never told it was something that was stuck for life; is there a possibility of this being something else; it cleared up really fast I have never in 18 years after experienced anything similar; I had a Pap smear check up about two years ago and nothing was there but a yeast infection called Gardenia varellis if I am not mistakend. Could my titter test be picking up chicken pox as I did have it as a child; or can it pick up the exact type of virus; my test results. said Hsv2 but since it’s a titter test; and I tested for other stds at same time; I am worried they just asumed that’s what it was and mentioned there where antibodies but no active or recent infection; result also mentioned it was determined via fluorescence didn’t mention herpes simplex just herpes virus . What I am most confused about whether I have herpes or not; is that I’ve had several different partners and lot of them have been through different times over the years. I know about viral shedding and this being more contagious; is it possible I have never given it to someone? There have been partners who I’ve slept with for days in a row and have gone about with their lives as usual. Do I not shed as much cause I have no outbreaks; what are your thoughts? Also I do develop pimples at Times but now wonder if they might be mild outbreaks; is there any way to and you pictures for your review; or is there a chance this could be Hsv1 genitally and this is why I don’t have outbreaks or transmit.

Thanks in advance

[Confuse]

I am also confused; if this was indeed a titter test; are these still igg and igm?

[Terri Warren]

I would recommend that you obtain an IgG test that gives you an index value, not a titer value. And do not forget an I GM test. If your index value is greater than 3.5, you should consider yourself infected. Since I am not familiar with the exact test that you had, I cannot tell you if there could be cross-reaction between the chickenpox virus and your herpes antibody test. Both quest labs and lab corp do the test I am suggesting. You can actually order this test your self without a clinician order through several services online that use these two big labs.

Terri

[Confuse]

Thanks Terri; I most definitely will; however based on my experience of never transmitting; not taking antivirals of any kind; is there a chance this could have been confused for something else;!9 swab test either; if so what could it be

[Confuse]

Hi Terri; talked to my lab; and they mentioned this was an inmunofluorecent testing;my range was 1:100; doctor mentioned this meant it was a very old infection due to my level and the fact that my igm was negative; do these test pick the exact strand of virus; shouldn’t my levels be higher if these are established antibodies? How reliable is it for herpes testing? I’d really appreciate your input

[Terri Warren]

The tests don’t look for virus – they look for antibody and as I said, I am unfamiliar with this type of test and continue to suggest that you get one that gives an index value, not a titer.

Terri

• This reply was modified 5 years, 5 months ago by Terri Warren.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 5 months ago by Terri Warren.

[Confuse]

Thanks Terri; I am sorry; the doctor did mention this was supposedly igg and ign ; so this is why I am confused; unfortunately I live in Central America and this is pretty much all that is available for testing. Once in the US will definitely be looking for a different option; do you think there is a possibility of my blisters 17 Yearsago being something different; I’ve had several different partners over the years and no one has ever indicated that I gave them anything. No outbreaks; no meds or anything; could everyone I date be asynthomatic? I know the transmisión woman to man is less but no give it to anyone over the years; what are the odds

[Terri Warren]

I think it is more likely that your blisters were HSV 1 and that’s why you have not recurred but I just can’t help much with your testing, sorry.

Terri

[Confuse]

Terri; actually you have been wonderful help and I truly appreciate it; I will definitely be looking into the Western blot once in the States; appreciate all your help; one more thing; If it is Hsv1; are the transmission rates less; what it the difference with Hsv2 cause I would assume it would be HSV1 genitally cause I did have one outbreak in the vagina area. Once again thanks so much for all you do

[Confuse]

One last thing; i know I had blisters and they itched a lot; I remember burning sensation when I peed; I don’t remember much else; just that they clear extremely fast; probably in the same week I got them with pills and topic cream; no additional symptoms like fever or flu; and no recurrence at all after 17 years; also no swab test done; is there a possibility it could have been some other std or anything else?

[Terri Warren]

Yes, the transmission rates for HSV 1 are way lower than HSV 2.
It is certainly possible that you had something else – normally new herpes doesn’t clear in one week but if you took herpes antiviral medicine, it is possible.

Terri

[Terri Warren]

Yes, the transmission rates for HSV 1 are way lower than HSV 2.
It is certainly possible that you had something else – normally new herpes doesn’t clear in one week but if you took herpes antiviral medicine, it is possible.

This is your final post on this subscription. If you have more questions, feel free to renew

Terri

[Confuse]

Hi Terri,
more questions; based on what I have shared with you; you mentioned because I have not recurred in 17 years and have no knowledge of transmitting the virus; this could be HSV1; however I don’t recall having received oral sex on that ocassion but did experience the blisters about a week later; I do recall the use of lubrication; could he had given it to me by using his fingers or could he have given me hsv1 genital to genital if he had received oral sex from a different partner before? Is it possible to have HSV2 and never recur again ; isn’t this a lot more contagious even while shedding? I do get ocasional pimples on my bum but that’s about it. I tend to think it could be HSV1 considering the lack of outbreaks and no one ever telling I gave them something; finally I don’t have much information about my testing; you did mention it was a titter result; unfortunately I can’t get a type specific as of now but the lab mentioned it had something to do with colors; that antibodies changed to green or something like that when test being done; they also said based on my results it seem like an established infection. My question is; only the recent test are type specific right; if this is an older test; it could be picking up something else like chicken pox and this is why it would also be an established infection as I had it as a child too. Thanks in advance for your comments

[Terri Warren]

Both are possible – you could have gotten HSV 1 through intercourse but highly unlikely and you could have HSV 2 without recurrent symptoms, yes

I don’t honestly understand what the lab is saying to you, sorry

Terri

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