Testing and Confusion

[Newly Diagnosed]

On 5/24 I presented with burning and bumps in the genital area (followed by swollen groin lymph nodes), thinking I was having a reaction to UTI meds/BV cream (2nd UTI and BV in a month after intercourse a few times). Certainly NEVER had anything like this happen before. If I had prior symptoms, I didn’t recognize them as such, and likely thought I had a pimple here and there (genital) maybe like once a YEAR. No outbreaks on or around mouth, aside from maybe a cold sore, when I was little.

Got swab done (within 24hrs), LabCorp HSV Culture Without Typing01-Results Positive & Abnormal. I can’t believe LabCorp even does a NON typing test! I had no idea or I’d have said order one with typing! Sigh..
They also took blood. HSV 2 IgG, Type Spec Antibody 01-Results <0.91 index 0.00-0.90, so NEGATIVE. I know to ignore the IgM though. (which was also negative anyway)

SO, I AM positive, and was given Acyclovir, worked well.

My boyfriend and I were routinely tested (HSV) about a month prior to my outbreak. All results negative. I had LabCorps HSV 1/2 Antibody which was Negative back in April too.
HE had Quests Herpes Simplex Virus, Type 1 and 2 DNA, Qualitative, Real-Time PCR, OR Herpes Simplex Virus, Type 1 and 2 DNA, Quantitative, Real-Time PCR, I can’t tell which due to the abbreviation on the portal result. This was a blood/serum test. He had/has no symptoms of any illness, but from a young age until recent years HAS had oral cold sores here and there. He hasn’t given me oral sex but I have given it to him, once. Nothing came of that outbreak wise, for me, orally. We have not had any relations since my diagnosis.

Question: Is the PCR blood test even useful if someone isn’t showing symptoms?

What is the best way for him to find out if he’s positive and for me to verify which HSV I actually have?

Lastly, is it safe to say that I have a new infection since the outbreak was BAD/New, and my culture was positive but my IgG was negative twice in a month.

[Newly Diagnosed]

I forgot. Is there a chance my swab testing was wrong and I may have ACTUALLY had a genital shingles outbreak since the HSV antibody test was negative? I did have chicken pox as a kid and a shingles outbreak in 2007. If that IS possible, how do I go about verifying/testing? Thank you so much. So grateful 🙂

[Newly Diagnosed]

To clarify, I had HSV 1 & 2 LabCorp IgG type specific antibody testing in both April (a month prior to breakout) and the same blood test again May 24 along with the breakout. I had maybe 15-20 or so lesions maybe more, very painful and spread all over the genital area, on the thighs etc., crossing the midline. Far as I could tell, the blisters weren’t “full” and didn’t “open” then crust over. They were spread out with a group of two here and there but no clusters of these little water bubble looking things. So confused.

[Newly Diagnosed]

Lastly, (sorry, forgot to add), I DID have the tingling sensation, and the weird sensation in my leg (I read about that) and intense burning when urine flowed over the lesions. I look forward to your insight. 🙂

[Terri Warren]

The PCR blood test should never have been done.
The test should certainly be able to sort out herpes simplex from shingles.
The problem with taking an antibody test so close to a new infection is that you may not have had an opportunity to make antibody quite that soon.
If your boyfriend has had cold sores in the past, he could have given you HSV 1 from giving you oral sex, if he did. Has your boyfriend been tested for HSV 2?

Terri

[Newly Diagnosed]

Hello 🙂 My bf was given a PCR/DNA Blood test for HSV 1/2 from Quest, as a routine screening a month prior to my initial outbreak. Negative results for both HSV 1/2. He’s not had genital symptoms ever, far as he knows. He has tested positive for HSV 1 in the past, but not HSV2 (not sure what type of blood test that was). He did NOT give me oral sex, I gave to him once. Could I have acquired genital HSV1 from him even though he’s only ever had oral cold sores and none at the time we kissed or had sex?

All my doctor did was a non typing culture on a lesion (positive result) and then the IgG ab test (negative due to timing).

What test should we both now get so he can try to find out what he actually has, and for me to confirm if I have HSV 1 or 2?

[Terri Warren]

Herpes is very very rarely in the blood – doing that test was a mistake on the part of the ordering provider. Of course he is negative for both!
I seriously doubt that you would acquire genital HSV 1 from him if he’s never given you oral sex.
So your boyfriend has not been tested for HSV 2, we don’t know your type, and I would not assume it is HSV 1.
When about 4-6 weeks have passed you could do an IgG test for HSV 1 and 2. They are separate tests. In the meanwhile, it would be good for him to have a real IgG antibody test as well and he can do that now.

Terri

[Newly Diagnosed]

Terri! As I was reading your response my NEW IgG test results came in! I had this blood test: Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 (IgG), Type-Specific Antibodies, Test #6447 from Quest Diagnostics.

Results: HSV 1 IgG Type specific index value 5.08.

HSV 2 IgG Type specific index value <.90

So, does this pretty much mean my genital symptoms were caused by HSV 1 and NOT 2, OR may I not yet have antibodies to HSV 2?

I had this same antibody test BUT from LabCorp in early April and end of May with NEGATIVE results for both types. My initial genital outbreak was 5/24, so is 3 weeks long enough to have HSV 1 antibodies form? Not sure if I contracted the infection in April OR May. I’m assuming it was May and then that would mean I got it about a week OR 3 days prior to the outbreak per the two times we had intercourse.

My boyfriend was tested in the past for both HSV 1/2 and was POSITIVE for 1, NEGATIVE for 2. His doctor just ordered him the same antibody test I just got from Quest this week. So we will have more info soon. The times of intercourse in question, he said he was dealing with what he thought was jock itch, that he had it in the past and treated it with OTC spray. Might THAT have been GHSV 1 and he didn’t realize it?? I will update with his results when they come in.

[Newly Diagnosed]

My Above NEW IgG 1 & 2 antibody test was done 6/14 (last week) so that would be a bit over 3 weeks since my first outbreak.

Switching to transmission.

Will have bf’s results soon but in the meantime:

If he has oral HSV-1 and I now have GHSV-1, could he have given it to me via fluid exchange while he was shedding? Since we’ve been together he’s not had any oral cold sores, but of course we have kissed, had intercourse, I gave HIM oral after intercourse and then had intercourse again. My hands had both our fluids on them and ended up in or near his mouth during this same evening. He also fingered me once prior to my breakout. How do you figure it was transmitted IF it fact it WAS him?

All this being said, can I get ORAL HSV-1 on top of genital HSV-1 from him through kissing etc., and can he get GENITAL HSV-1 from me on top of his oral HSV-1?

We are both super confused as to what happened here. We are both fine, just trying to make sense of things. He told me no prior partner has ever returned with news of an outbreak oral or genital nor with any positive testing. I haven’t had any either.

Thanks for your help.

[Terri Warren]

If he has oral HSV-1 and I now have GHSV-1, could he have given it to me via fluid exchange while he was shedding? Since we’ve been together he’s not had any oral cold sores, but of course we have kissed, had intercourse, I gave HIM oral after intercourse and then had intercourse again. My hands had both our fluids on them and ended up in or near his mouth during this same evening. He also fingered me once prior to my breakout. How do you figure it was transmitted IF it fact it WAS him?

I think that isn’t very likely but it is possible. Another possibility is that the HSV 1 IgG testing in April missed an established infection and the virus was picked up on the swab. Your antibody test for HSV 1 was solid so either you were newly infected with HSV 1 OR the IgG test in April missed it. If you only have e HSV 1, then there is very little risk, that you would then get it orally as well.

Terri

[Newly Diagnosed]

Hello. Boyfriend got IgG results back. HSV-1: 33.20 type specific ab.
HSV-2: <.90 so NEGATIVE.

He said he’s had HSV-1 orally for as long as he can remember. Infected as a small child. Sometimes gets cold sores. Never any symptoms downstairs that he recalls. No clue how I got this genitally from him having it orally?? Guessing he has it genitally and didn’t break out or not enough to notice.

Why is his a reading so high? Mine was HSV-1: 5.08 IgG type specific ab, with a supposed NEW infection.

Lastly, can there be lesions on the urethra and on the bladder that cause urinary issues? Constant urge to pee, but no pain and urine culture was clean for UTI etc.

[Terri Warren]

with an index value of 5.08 for HSV 1, this is NOT a new infection. Is it possible that you’ve had this before?

Terri

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