Puzzling scenario

[westoveraccount1]

Hey Terri.

I’m male, 29, in a relationship with a woman, 26. We’ve been dating for about 5 years.

* In June we broke up briefly, I slept with someone else. My partner claims she did not sleep with anyone else, but we spoke openly about the fact that I did and that it was okay, we were separated, so she did have forum to tell me if so. Thus, I believe her.

* I experienced some symptoms, had them swabbed, they came back negative for HSV. Doctor said it was a fungal or bacterial infection.

* In July we reconciled, had sex, and in the following week my partner had her first ever HSV2 breakout (confirmed via swab).

* Since July, she has had non-stop back-to-back outbreaks. One or two per month. They are reasonably mild, but they are frequent. First one was the worst. Doctors are now putting her on suppressive therapy.

We assumed that I had caught HSV2 and given it to her.

However, at 3 months and 6 months I tested for HSV1 and 2 and am negative for both. We are both negative for all other STIs.

* I know it can be dormant for a long time, and then breakout, but why would the breakouts be extremely frequent and consistent for the following 9 months? It is acting like a new infection.

* I don’t see reason why she wouldn’t tell me if she slept with someone else, but I guess it’s a possibility. Are there any other possibilities we should be concerned about? Eg. something else compromising the immune system? Cancer?

* If she has had it the whole time, we have had unprotected sex for the last 5 or so years and I have remained negative… Am I -more- at risk now than I previously was when we have unprotected sex in the future?

Thank you.

[westoveraccount1]

Oh, I’d like to add, the girl I slept with in June also tested negative for HSV2 after 6 months, but she was positive for HSV1.

[Terri Warren]

This is very confusing indeed. Has your regular partner had an IgG antibody test and if yes, what was the result? It is important if she had it right during her first outbreak, that’s the value I want.
The IgG test for you could have missed the infection (it misses it 8% of the time). How soon after you last had sex with the other partner did you test for antibody?

Terri

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