Not showing on blood tests

[Kelly1]

Hi Terri,

I had my first genital outbreak December 2014. It was swabbed/culture tested and came back positive for HSV2. Since then I have been blood tested (4) times and the result is “negative” every time 0.91 LabCorp test. I am positive for HSV1 LabCorp test 32.90 high. Last month I had my second genital outbreak, Sept 2015 the culture came back positive for HSV2. I am not on any sort of suppressive therapy. I suppose I fall into the 2% that does not show on blood tests. So, here are my questions:

1. Why is the blood test missing the Type 2? Is it because my body is not making enough antibodies?

I’m asking because I have OCD and I’m a bit of a hypochondriac. I’ve been fearful of getting Herpetic Whitlow or transferring the virus to some other part of my body.

2. The fact that I’m not showing up on a blood test, am I more at risk than others to transfer the virus with auto inoculation?

It seems I’m making plenty of antibodies for type1 based off of my blood tests and I’ve only had a total of (2) genital outbreaks for HSV2.

Someone told me that the fact that the test is missing on type2 has nothing to do with my body not producing enough antibodies…

3. What are your thoughts?

4. Do I need to take any extra precautions of any kind? Showering etc.?

Please let me know.

Thanks so much for your help!

[Terri Warren]

1. Why is the blood test missing the Type 2? Is it because my body is not making enough antibodies?

I’m asking because I have OCD and I’m a bit of a hypochondriac. I’ve been fearful of getting Herpetic Whitlow or transferring the virus to some other part of my body.

You are just likely in the 2% that don’t get picked up by the traditional screening test. We don’t honestly know why it misses a few people but we do know that almost all of those do get picked up by the western blot so it isn’t for lack of making antibody. You are not at risk of autoinoculation at this point since you have been swab test positive since 2014.

2. The fact that I’m not showing up on a blood test, am I more at risk than others to transfer the virus with auto inoculation?

It seems I’m making plenty of antibodies for type1 based off of my blood tests and I’ve only had a total of (2) genital outbreaks for HSV2.

Someone told me that the fact that the test is missing on type2 has nothing to do with my body not producing enough antibodies…

correct

3. What are your thoughts?

See above

4. Do I need to take any extra precautions of any kind? Showering etc.?

You definitely do not. I think you can seriously take this off your worry list. You have had two positive swab tests so that confirms your infection and that’s really all you need to know about this. Sure wish I had an explanation about why the screening test isn’t picking up your antibody but know that this about the test, not about you.

Terri

[Kelly1]

Hi Teri,

I’ve had HSV1 for years and HSV2 as of last year. Anyways, I’ve been so paranoid about things since the HSV2 diagnosis and I have a few questions.

1. Last night my 6 year old was laughing while he was laying next to me, and a little spit flew into my eye. I think he may have HSV1 because I’m pretty sure I saw a cold sore on him a week ago. However, there was nothing currently there. I got up and wet a towel and lightly wiped my eye and went to bed. Then I started wondering if it was possible that I could get oscular/herpes in my eye from the flying spit? Is that possible and what would the chances be of that happening? Do I need to be concerned?

2. Is it okay to use one razor for shaving my legs, armpits and bikini area since I have HSV2? Or should I use 2 separate razors?

3. I know I’m not supposed to share towels, but is it okay to wash my towels with other family members towels?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[Terri Warren]

1. Last night my 6 year old was laughing while he was laying next to me, and a little spit flew into my eye. I think he may have HSV1 because I’m pretty sure I saw a cold sore on him a week ago. However, there was nothing currently there. I got up and wet a towel and lightly wiped my eye and went to bed. Then I started wondering if it was possible that I could get oscular/herpes in my eye from the flying spit? Is that possible and what would the chances be of that happening? Do I need to be concerned?

No, you do not need to be concerned. First, you don’t know if he has HSV 1 and second, the amount of virus it requires to transmit infection if not going to be present a little spit. Third, once you have HSV 2, you do not subsequently acquire HSV 1.

2. Is it okay to use one razor for shaving my legs, armpits and bikini area since I have HSV2? Or should I use 2 separate razors?

One razor is enough

3. I know I’m not supposed to share towels, but is it okay to wash my towels with other family members towels?

Indeed that is fine.

Terri

[Kelly1]

Hi Terri,

I believe I have one final post.

1. I would like to know how long the herpes virus lives outside the body? Such as services etc?

2. I’m having an outbreak, and I just showered, dried myself off with my towel, and accidentally dropped my towel on our carpet. I’m certain that the part of the towel that I patted the outbreak with touched my carpet. I then quickly picked it up and went over the carpet area with baby wipes, I also vacuumed over the carpet. Then of course my seven-year-old who never sits on our carpet plopped himself down exactly where that happened. My OCD is on overdrive. I’m wondering if I need to be concerned about my son sitting in the spot where I dropped my towel?

3. Do I need to use a carpet cleaner to disinfect the area or is that not necessary?

Thank you in adavance!

• This reply was modified 5 years, 10 months ago by Kelly1.

[Kelly1]

Hi Terri,

I was going to buy another round of questions. However, I would like to know if we are still able to attach a photo and ask our question? I didn’t see a photo attachment option. Please let me know.

Thank you.

[Terri Warren]

I don’t understand “services”. The virus cannot live long at all off the body and even if it is alive there is likely insufficient virus present to infect another person as the quantity would be very small and the virus would be greatly weakened.
You absolutely don’t need to worry about your son getting herpes from the carpet in the situation that you describe, nope, not even a remote chance of that happening. And no, you do not need any further cleaning of the carpet.

Sorry, we no longer accept photos on this site.

Terri

[Kelly1]

Thank you for answering my questions and for the reassurance! “Services” was an auto correct typo. It was supposed to be “surfaces.”

[Terri Warren]

OK,got it.

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

Terri

[Terri Warren]

OK,got it.

Terri

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