Precautions with (com)passion

[Octofrog]

Hello Terri,

I am a woman and have had HSV2 for 12 years with periodic outbreaks. I am seeing a woman who tested positive for HSV1 and HSV2 last year; She is asymptomatic with the following IgG results:
HSV2
Value 4.49 Positive
Negative <0.9
Equivocal 0.91-1.11
Positive >1.11

HSV1
Value 14.49 Positive

After reading through numerous posts on your forum, it seems possible that at least one of these tests could be a false positive, especially since she is asymptomatic. I understand the Western Blot is the golden standard. What are your initial thoughts with the accuracy of these results?

If the test results are accurate and we both have HSV2, where I have symptoms and she is asymptomatic, what precautions should we take? And is there any possibility I could expose her to another type of HSV2, causing her to start having symptoms?

I understand I am contagious with a sore, but without a sore I don’t know when I am shedding the virus. I recently started up again with suppressive therapy – 500mg/day of valacyclovir. Approximately how much does taking Valacyclovir daily reduce the shedding? In another post you mention that with men, HSV2 sheds from the shaft of the penis and anus. Where does the virus shed in women?

If the test results are accurate and she has HSV1 while I don’t, what precautions should we take? You wrote in a post “There is a great deal of immunity to HSV 1 when you have HSV 2.” Since I already have HSV2, I am wondering how much immunity I may have to HSV1, either orally and/or genitally. And if I were to get HSV1 from her, is there a chance I could give her HSV1 genitally?

I realize there are a few questions here. If I have follow up questions, I will pay the additional fee. Thank you in advance; Your time and expertise are much appreciated.

Kindly,
Octofrog

[Terri Warren]

An index value above four probably has an 85% chance of confirming as positive. But if she has no symptoms, she may wish to confirm that with a better test.
Both of your immune systems will handle herpes in its own way, your symptomatic presentation will not impact her, unless she just wasn’t recognizing symptoms previously.
We don’t have data on the reduction of transmission between two women but it decreases viral shedding by about 70%.
Once you have HSV 2, there is very close to zero chance that you will acquire HSV 1 subsequently.

Terri

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