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HSV-2 Transmission Oral
Hello, I had two sexual encounters this past month. The first was exactly one month ago and the second was 10 days ago. In both events I received oral sex, licking of my scrotum, rimming and fingering my anus from a girl who subsequently told me that she had tested positive for hsv-2. She mentioned that she had never had an oral outbreak and can remember only one genital outbreak one year prior (although I have to take her word for it). I never came into contact with her genital area. I went to my physician and he told me to wait exactly 2 weeks (from second encounter) to get an IgM test which from what I read is inconclusive. I currently have to no visible symptoms but have some occasional pain or burning in the vicinity of my genitals (no specific location). ---- I'm thinking that this could be based on anxiety about the situation??
My questions are:
1) I'm concerned about possible hsv-2 transmission?? What are the chances?
2) Should I get tested???
3) Assuming the IgM test is unreliable in determining hsv-2 specifically, would a negative result at least clear me of herpes in general??
4) I live in the Los Angeles area and there are clinics that advertise a test similar to the western blot that according to them can give results with 99.9% accuracy from only 4 days after exposure . I think that it's called an immunoassay test. Should I take this test??
5) should I wait to take an igg test instead? How long?
Thank you so much in advance for answering these questions. Ur support has made a world of difference in many people's lives.
My questions are:
1) I'm concerned about possible hsv-2 transmission?? What are the chances?
2) Should I get tested???
3) Assuming the IgM test is unreliable in determining hsv-2 specifically, would a negative result at least clear me of herpes in general??
4) I live in the Los Angeles area and there are clinics that advertise a test similar to the western blot that according to them can give results with 99.9% accuracy from only 4 days after exposure . I think that it's called an immunoassay test. Should I take this test??
5) should I wait to take an igg test instead? How long?
Thank you so much in advance for answering these questions. Ur support has made a world of difference in many people's lives.
Ask your doctor to try to make sure you get a specific antibody count. Some labs don't provide one (which makes me crazy). Also, make sure it's type-specific.
The risk of contracting HSV-2 from oral sex is miniscule, though not zero. I wouldn't stress over it until there's a reason to stress over it.
The risk of contracting HSV-2 from oral sex is miniscule, though not zero. I wouldn't stress over it until there's a reason to stress over it.
Thank u so much. I'll take the igg this week. What should I look for on the test?? Is it a range I thought it was a yes or no.
I know u said that the chances of obtaining hsv-2 orally is small but is the risk high enough that I should be worried??
Ur insight in helping me a great deal
I know u said that the chances of obtaining hsv-2 orally is small but is the risk high enough that I should be worried??
Ur insight in helping me a great deal
By the way, a negative IgM in November does not mean you were not carrying the virus then. It simply means you weren't having a flare up.
No, I wouldn't take the Western Blot now. If you have a recent infection, an IgG result will suffice to provide a baseline. Ask for an IgG type-specific blood test other than the ELISA. Following up with the Western Blot 4 months following exposure will then yield a conclusive result.
The 16-week period recommended for a blood test has to do with the fact that it can take that long for antibodies to generate enough to trigger a positive result.
The 16-week period recommended for a blood test has to do with the fact that it can take that long for antibodies to generate enough to trigger a positive result.
Thank you for the response. Ironically I had taken a hsv 1 and 2 test in November and tested negative. So any positive result would be the result of this encounter. I don't recall if it was igg or igm but it was negative.
Can I take the western blot now?? Or do u have to wait 16 weeks? The price is not that important to me.
Can I take the western blot now?? Or do u have to wait 16 weeks? The price is not that important to me.
I misspoke - the second test can be taken after a shorter interval, since it's already been at least 10 days since exposure. Take the second test 16 weeks after exposure, not after the first test results.
1) Oral HSV-2 is not common, though there are documented cases. Oral HSV-2 rarely recurs, though there are official shedding percentages, so it's possible to contract it, but I believe our experts would say the chances are quite low. I'm not fond of statistics, however. All it takes is one time.
If you acquired HSV on your genitals, it's more likely to be Type 1, which causes about 1/3 of new genital infections. Both HSV types can be contracted even in the absence of symptoms.
2) Yes, get a blood test now, then again in 16 weeks. It can take that long for any antibodies to generate enough to trigger a positive result on a reliable blood test.
3) Do not get the IgM. It's useless and a waste of money, for a number of reasons that are detailed on ASHA's testing page here:
http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/std-sti/Herpes/testing.html
4) I would not bother with a copycat test that doesn't have the credentials and history of success of the gold-standard Western Blot, which was developed by the world's best researchers of HSV. Why wouldn't you go for the real thing?
5) Get the IgG now - something other than the ELISA, which has been found to have problems. If you have a new infection from the recent encounters, the test will be negative. If it's positive, it means you've had the virus longer. If it's negative, or a low positive, wait another 16 weeks and follow up with another IgG, or if you can afford the fee, go immediately for the Western Blot, which will be conclusive at that point.
Good luck to you.
If you acquired HSV on your genitals, it's more likely to be Type 1, which causes about 1/3 of new genital infections. Both HSV types can be contracted even in the absence of symptoms.
2) Yes, get a blood test now, then again in 16 weeks. It can take that long for any antibodies to generate enough to trigger a positive result on a reliable blood test.
3) Do not get the IgM. It's useless and a waste of money, for a number of reasons that are detailed on ASHA's testing page here:
http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/std-sti/Herpes/testing.html
4) I would not bother with a copycat test that doesn't have the credentials and history of success of the gold-standard Western Blot, which was developed by the world's best researchers of HSV. Why wouldn't you go for the real thing?
5) Get the IgG now - something other than the ELISA, which has been found to have problems. If you have a new infection from the recent encounters, the test will be negative. If it's positive, it means you've had the virus longer. If it's negative, or a low positive, wait another 16 weeks and follow up with another IgG, or if you can afford the fee, go immediately for the Western Blot, which will be conclusive at that point.
Good luck to you.
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