Testing Questions re HSV 1& 2

[kippi]

Hi Terri,

I have had genital HSV-1 for a while and I have two questions: first of all, I am currently dating a man who has had cold sores on the lips ever since he was a child. In the interest of saving money on testing, does he need to take the HSV-1 part of the Herpes Select test since we already know he's got it orally? I did want to make sure he tests for HSV-2, and there is a place where you can just take just the HSV-2 Herpes Select (unlike Healthcheck where you can only take both). He is short on money, and it would be helpful if all he needed to test for was HSV-2.

Secondly, what is the window for HSV-2 Herpes Select Testing? I had read from one of the moderators of the Herpes forum at Ashastd.org that the window for the Herpes Select test is 3 months. Is that right? I was with a man for a while previously who had HSV-2, and I tested negative at 13 weeks after my last time with him - a little over 3 months. Is that long enough, or do I need to retest at 4 months? I am a healthy 45 year old female, with no immune problems.

Anyway, I really appreciate your answer!

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Yes, I meant HSV 2, sorry about that.  

and No, having HSV 1 would not impact the time required for serconversion to HIV.  3 months is long enough to wait to get tested for that.  

Condoms reduce transmission by about 1/3.  But again, if he only has HSV 1 and you do too, then I wouldn't worry much about transmission to a new location.

Terri

[kippi]

Terri,

One more thing -- would having HSV-1 cause someone to seroconvert to HIV later than 3 months??? I tested also for HIV at 3 months and was negative. I just want to make sure 3 months is long enough for HIV testing when one has HSV-1.

BTW, I used condoms with my previous partner, although we had one condom mishap. I know condoms aren't 100% full-proof for herpes, but just wanted to add that.

Thanks!

[kippi]

Terri,

Thanks for the response. I will test again for HSV-2. I'm a little unclear about your answer to the first question -- can my partner just test for HSV-2 since he already has cold sores? You said he could just test for HSV-1, so I'm thinking you meant HSV-2, correct? I already know of a place to test for HSV-2.

Thanks again!

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Since you already have HSV 1, you would serconvert more slowly to HSV 2 if you contracted it.  If I were you, I would retest at 4 month to be more certain.

Your partner could just test for HSV 1, perhaps at tstd.com, but generally, it isn't much cheaper, maybe 10 or 20 dollars at the most.  

If he has HSV 1 and you do too, even though they are different locations, it is unlikely that either of you would get HSV 1 at a new location since you both already have immune responses.  

Terri