Understanding

[domo218]

Hi Terri,

I am a 37-year-old female. I have been in a monogamous relationship with my partner for the past 1 year and a half. We engage in unprotected sex. We talked about our health status early on. We both shared that we were disease-free. 6 months into our relationship, I had an annual test done. I had an abnormal pap smear and shared this information with him as well, all my other labs came back clear with no other STI diseases. He is the second man I have ever been with sexually. We plan to marry and we have been trying to get pregnant.

I recently had another annual check-up with my provider. My pap smear came back normal. However, my HSV 1 labs came back 4.94
HSV 2 negative <.90
All other tests were negative. These labs were done at Quest. I do not have any symptoms. I was shocked and initially asked to be retested. I then asked my partner if he got cold sores and he says yes, occasionally he does get cold sores. I don’t believe he viewed cold sores as a major concern and did not share that he got them. I don’t recall seeing cold sores on his mouth or genitals since we have been together.

My questions are:

1. I am considering getting the Western Blott. Is it worth taking the test if we are going to continue having sex with one another?

2. As long as we abstain from sex when either person has a cold sore, will it still transfer to the genitals?

3. I am really afraid of this affecting me when I become pregnant. Am I more likely to experience an outbreak during pregnancy?

4. The nurse told me that they don’t prescribe medication for HSV 1, is it necessary?

5. I also feel really nasty and unsure. How can protect others around me? I felt so uncomfortable kissing my mother on the cheek the other day.

6. How likely am I to have an outbreak since I have not had one?

[domo218]

This was an igg test

[Terri Warren]

Sorry for the delay, I have COVID

1. I am considering getting the Western Blott. Is it worth taking the test if we are going to continue having sex with one another?
Your HSV 1 is relatively high and I do believe that it will confirm by western blot but if you want to confirm with a blot, I’m good with that.

2. As long as we abstain from sex when either person has a cold sore, will it still transfer to the genitals?
Assuming you are truly positive, it is extremely unlikely that either of you will ever get genital HSV 1, unless you have it already. I am assuming you’ve never had a cold sore? HSV 1 can also be genital, you know. Have you ever had any genital lesions?

3. I am really afraid of this affecting me when I become pregnant. Am I more likely to experience an outbreak during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is immunosuppressive, so you could have an outbreak during the pregnancy, yes

4. The nurse told me that they don’t prescribe medication for HSV 1, is it necessary?
Not if you aren’t having symptoms, but since we don’t know where the infection is, you may want to consider daily antiviral medication during the last month or so in case this is genital. If you ever get a cold sore, that won’t be necessary.

5. I also feel really nasty and unsure. How can protect others around me? I felt so uncomfortable kissing my mother on the cheek the other day.he
About half the population has HSV 1 infection – most in the form of cold sores. I have it, my husband has it, two of my three kids have it. If you have a cold sore, don’t kiss people or give them oral sex. It’s pretty simple honestly. I think you are getting confused by the term “herpes”

6. How likely am I to have an outbreak since I have not had one?hat
hard to say, depending upon where it is. Remember that cold sores can show up anywhere on the face including in the nose. Think about it.

Terri

[domo218]

Hi Terri. Thank you for replying. I hope you feel better, COVID-19 sucks. Yes,the term Herpes does give me a negative feeling about myself and my health. I have not had any outbreaks. We engage in all areas of sex,minus anal, so I don’t know what area is affected. I don’t recall him having a cold sore in the almost 2 years we have been together. We kiss everyday so, I don’t know. Thanks for the information. I am working on forgiveness to myself and him.

[Terri Warren]

Good for you! I don’t believe there was anything malicious here with the transmission – an honest mistake if it came from him.

While your IgG test value is pretty high, it is still under 5 and if you want to confirm you could. I just haven’t seen a value this high not confirm.

Remember that you could have gotten HSV 1 from a grandparent kissing you with a cold sore years ago or someone else that you’ve kissed along the way, it doesn’t have to be this person.

Terri

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