Reply To: Identifying Possible Location of HSV-2

[HealthSeeker]

Thank you so very much for your compassionate help.

I am most concerned with spreading the virus to family and friends.

I have been using TP as a barrier and wiping down the toilet seat and sink handles with cleaning wipes or soap and water after each use. Is transmission via shared toilets possible and do these sound like reasonable steps to take?

Can the virus shed through clothing and live where I sit – for example, on the couch? I am also concerned about babies and little ones I’m around. Is there any risk that it could transmit through clothing when they sit on my lap?

Recently, I had a rash on my shoulder after a minor surgery that involved hormonal treatments. It was in the location and shape of the circular monitor that was stuck to my skin for the procedure. The pimple like cluster had red bases with white fluid. I thought maybe they used oil to remove the sticker because I had irritation where another monitor sticker was. However, I went to my doctor and it was swabbed for HSV four days after it appeared. These are the results:
Herpes Simplex IGM Result = .57
Index Negative <=0.89
Index Equivocal .90-1.90
Index Positive >=1.00-1.10
Could this have potentially been HSV-2? How soon do I need to have a skin sore swabbed for it to be accurate? How accurate would a swab of the throat be?

I had two previous partners before my husband that I suspect I contracted this from because they both were untrustworthy. These were 17 and 15 years ago, and I went to the clinic for testing after each partner but was not aware of an HSV blood test nor offered it. How common is it to have HSV-2 orally, and are the symptoms and effects of oral HSV-2 worse than HSV-1 orally?
Within months of the first partner, I developed chronic allergies and inflammation. Within months of the second partner, I was constantly catching colds, illnesses, and eventually had a positive Tuberculosis test. Does HSV-2 weaken the immune system or cause inflammation?

Thanks!