1. Given my exposure incident (low likelihood for contracting HSV) and the negative results with no symptoms, how confident should i be at this point that i did not contract anything. I read somewhere on MedHelp that Dr. H had suggested that in new infections 90% will show pos IgG at 6 weeks. Is that true?
The correct statistic is that at 6 weeks, 70% of those infected will have antibody.
2. My doctor is telling me that i should feel comfortable to be with my wife again sexually as long as i am not showing or feeling any symptoms at this point. I will not initiate anything with her but i don’t want to reject her for another 6 weeks if she does initiate with me. What would you suggest in this case?
Tough question, but i tend to agree with your doctor. But you need to know that everything is here a trade off – the small risk of infecting her vs. the consequences of rejecting her sexual advances. That has to be your call, honestly.
3. I want to have a final test done to make sure i am completely clear of HSV, would
a Western Blot be the best thing to do in this case and can i take that at 12 weeks and feel confident with the accuracy?
Yes, that would be the most certain and I would say 16 weeks. It could pick up HSV 1 from a long standing infection that the screening tests don’t pick up – you need to know that so you won’t be shocked it if happens. If it is positive for HSV 1 you will never know when you contracted HSV 1.
Terri