HSV 2 test

[T6666]

Hi Dr!

I made the mistake of having unprotected sex.  25 days after the fact my results for HSV 2 IgG  came back with a high of 5.2.  Never tested for HSV 1 since I know I have it (had cold sores all my life).  Prior to this mistake, I only had intercorse with my long term partner.  We were intimate a year ago and broke up after.  It was a long distance relationship (he moved away and we could only see each other every 4 or 6 month).  I experienced very painful urination and bleeding with urination a  few days after.  I thought I had a UTI.  A week after when I got back home, I was told by the nurse practitioner that I have no UTI, and the symptoms are due to infrequent intercorse.  She tested me for STD and told me the results were negative. Test was done very soon after the fact (probably 8-10 days I believe).  Is it possible that the 5.2 score is due to infection that occured at that time or it can be quite this high at an early stage (25 days)?  In the past 6-8 months I am experiencing vaginal dryness, some burning.  My gynecologist said it is due to hormonal changes. Very confused, appreciate any help I can get to find the answer.  

[T6666]

Thanks again.  Just trying to find peace of mind and answers to what happened.

[gracefromHHP]

your hsv2 igg is over the typical false positive cut off rate. if you really need the peace of mind to accept this, seek out a herpes WB blood test to confirm your status.

[T6666]

Hi Grace!  I found out that this test was never done so maybe you were right. I am struggling still and would like to understand what happened.  Never really had any other symptoms than the one described above and a very short lived small  redness with a few bumps that made me go for testing.  It cleared out in 4 days.  I still question the result of the test.  Do you think I should retest again?  Would it be possible for the person to be mistaken and test me for HSV 1.  Your insite is greatly appreciated, always.

[gracefromHHP]

yeah easy for me to say, hard to accept, especially in the beginning I know. All of us want to know when and from whom - completely normal :)

[T6666]

Thanks again!  Your advice is greatly appreciated.  I beleive finding some answers may help me cope with the problem, but I agree 100% with what you said.  

[gracefromHHP]

You might never figure out the when and from whom part of this, all that is important is knowing your status and that of future partners so that together you can make educated decisions about what precautions to take together.

[T6666]

Thanks for the reply!  No, I did not ask the doctor for the type of test they performed last August (in the process of finding out now).  It was a regular yearly check up, and I was asked if I want the test to be done ( was not concerned about it since I trusted my friend at that time in spite of the distance).  Prior to this friendship, I was married for 20 years and divorced for 4 since my husband was  running around cheating all the time.  I need to find an answer, I feel bad if I caused harm by not knowing it.  I was under the impression that I am clean since had no intercourse since the STD test was done (whatever they tested). Thanks again for your help.  I"ll let you know what I find out.  It just seems that a 5.2 score is too high for a recent infection.

[gracefromHHP]

this is not the doctor's forum - you have to pay to post there.

yes indeed it's more likely that your hsv2 was acquired prior to this partner though honestly no accurate way to tell. about half of folks will test + for newly acquired hsv2 infections 25 days post encounter. Your prior symptoms previously very well could've been due to hsv2 infection .  Have you asked your provider if you were ever even tested for herpes before this?

grace