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Hi Terri,
I started dating a wonderful guy a couple months ago. Things have been progressing, but I told him he needed to go get tested before I was willing to do anything with him. He came back with a positive IGG for HSV-2 at 1.5. He went and had more blood drawn, and we just got the results: Negative for HSV-1. Positive for HSV-2 at 1.8. Only a week of time elapsed between these two tests.I know he had a one night stand (or a 3-4 night stand, in reality) right before we started dating. He used condoms. At the time of these tests, he was 7 and 8 weeks post-exposure, respectively. Does the 1.5 and then the 1.8 reflect rising antibodies (suggesting this is where he picked it up)? Or do the herpeselect or whatever the IGG tests fluctuate naturally? Is someone who’s a 1.8 EIGHT WEEKS out very likely to pull a 3.0 or above at 16 weeks?
I’m shocked, scared, and trying to figure out what to do. No one seems to have answers or much information. That’s why I turned to you.
I decided to also go get myself tested–My IGG type specific results came back yesterday, as well. I AM NEGATIVE for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. My antibodies aren’t even at a .2 for both tests.My questions:
1. Would you recommend he has a western blot done at 12 or 16 weeks?
2. And how likely, if at all, is a 1.8 false positive for HSV-2 if you DO NOT have HSV-1? He’s only been with 4 people, and 2 were virgins.
3. He’s trying to convince me he could have HSV-2 orally. Terri, isn’t that EXTREMELY EXTREMELY EXTREMELY unlikely and unheard of?
4. Also, am I at risk doing anything we do? We have fooled around. He has touched me down there, but NOT after touching himself EVER. Am I at risk for catching it by being naked on his bed (with him NOT naked), or touching like a pair of underwear and then touching myself? Or him touching me? Also, can HSV-2 be anywhere else? Am I safe to touch his back and chest and kiss him in those areas and everything? Is it safe to be shirtless with him pressed against him? Or am I putting myself at risk?Thank you for answers.
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1. Would you recommend he has a western blot done at 12 or 16 weeks?
Yes I strongly would. With a 1.5, there is an 85% chance it is a false positive.
2. And how likely, if at all, is a 1.8 false positive for HSV-2 if you DO NOT have HSV-1? He’s only been with 4 people, and 2 were virgins.
The false positive rate with a 1.8 is about 55% false positive rate.
3. He’s trying to convince me he could have HSV-2 orally. Terri, isn’t that EXTREMELY EXTREMELY EXTREMELY unlikely and unheard of?
No, it isn’t unheard of. In fact, about 15% of people who have a first infection genitally also have oral lesions. But HSV 2 rarely sheds from the mouth and rarely recurs there.4. Also, am I at risk doing anything we do? We have fooled around. He has touched me down there, but NOT after touching himself EVER. Am I at risk for catching it by being naked on his bed (with him NOT naked), or touching like a pair of underwear and then touching myself? Or him touching me? Also, can HSV-2 be anywhere else? Am I safe to touch his back and chest and kiss him in those areas and everything? Is it safe to be shirtless with him pressed against him? Or am I putting myself at risk?
No, none of these things put you at risk for acquiring HSV 2 IF he has it. You are totally safe touching him in non-genital area. You are also probably fine masturbating him and him masturbating you.
Please feel free to ask me other questions.
Terri
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1. Him having a 1.5 two weeks ago, and having a 1.8 one week later, is that liking showing RISING ANTIBODIES, or are fluctuations normal from test to test? That’s a .3 higher than his previous test. Would that indicate likely new infection at the 8 week mark?
Those are normal fluctuations from test to test. This does not necessarily indicate a new infection, no.
2. He’s had sex without condoms twice, in his entire life. Does help the “likely false positive” case at all?
Yes, it makes it more likely to be a false positive.
3. Because I’m negative for both, I am for some reason having a major freak out today. He has fingered me 5-6 times. Back before we knew about the results. And he hadn’t touched himself first. Is there any risk if he’d been to the bathroom like an hour before and not washed his hands? I feel like every time I go in his bathroom there’s either a. no hand soap or the soap was non-antibacterial or watered down.
Putting his finger in your vagina is NOT a risk for transmitting herpes IF he is infected.4. If I had been exposed (we’ve been groping like this since the 3rd week in April), wouldn’t I have shown at least SOME very low antibodies on the HSV-2 AT THIS POINT (even if it was only like a .4 or .7 at this point)? My HSV-2 was less than a .2, just like my HSV-1. Should I get re tested again in 4 months?!!! ”
You only need to be tested again if his western blot is positive. I assuming he going to get that right?5. AND LASTLY…Am I at any risk by giving him a hand job? I haven given him one hand job before. Is there any risk of the virus entering my hands? I did wash my hands afterwards, but I swear the soap was watered down, and of course I went home and went to the bathroom the next morning (8 hours later?) the virus can’t live for that long right?
IF he is infected, masturbating him does not present a risk if you have intact skin on your hands. No, the virus would not live that long.
6. He bodybuilds–so he’s on about 5 billion protein and workout supplements. Could anything in those contribute towards a false positive? I’m also pretty certain he had chicken pox as a child (but then again, so did I, and Im negative)?
I am not aware that protein supplements have any impact at all on herpes antibody testing. Chicken pox also have no impact on testing.
Terri
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1. Am I at risk at all by kissing/making out with him? Remember his “oh maybe I have it orally” theory (if that were true), If he truly DOES HAVE HSV-2 orally, am I at ANY RISK of contracting it by making out/drinking after him? This truly terrifies me, that I’ll contract it from him orally. Honestly, right now I’m terrified to even let him touch me naked.
Any risk? Well, people with HSV 2 orally shed on about 3 days out of the year, so I guess there is a small risk.
2. He announced after much probing the other night that he has done oral sex on 3 women (two were hookups), a total of 3 times, total. Once a piece. That also makes his risk of contracting it orally super low, right?
Yes
3. I’ve had a superrrrr mild sore throat off/on for the last few days. Coincidence right? No sores or bumps, and it’s May–pollen season/high winds are in full bloom.
Again, likely not HSV
4. Last question–in order for him to have a western blot done at the right time, if his last exposure was march 24th, should the western blot be July 14th? Is 16 weeks on the nose enough time?
Yes, 16 weeks is exactly right.
Has the person from march been tested? If yes, that would shorten things a bit.
This was your last post on this subscription. If you have more questions, feel free to renew.
Terri
Terri
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