Aa
Herpes testing after protected vaginal and unprotected oral sex with hsv2+ partner
Good morning,
About 14 weeks ago I had protected vaginal and recieved limited unprotected oral sex with someone HSV2 positive. She was diagnosed via IGG test. She did not disclosed it to me and then she got tested and was positive. She knew about it and all she said it was dormant.
I was tested at 5, 10 and at 12 w and 2 D and 12W and d. 1st test trough Quest, 2nd and 3rd through any test and last one through Lab corp. All these test were IGG and on only the 1st and 4th test doctors requested IGM but they were negative as well. I have never had a cold sore in my life and my last herpes test was maybe like 2 years ago and was negative as well.
Can I move on now?
Are these results conclusive?
How long does it take for a new infection to show up (test or lesions)?
Should I test at 16 weeks?
Is it possible for someone to to test positive from 12 to 16 weeks?
Thank you so much!
About 14 weeks ago I had protected vaginal and recieved limited unprotected oral sex with someone HSV2 positive. She was diagnosed via IGG test. She did not disclosed it to me and then she got tested and was positive. She knew about it and all she said it was dormant.
I was tested at 5, 10 and at 12 w and 2 D and 12W and d. 1st test trough Quest, 2nd and 3rd through any test and last one through Lab corp. All these test were IGG and on only the 1st and 4th test doctors requested IGM but they were negative as well. I have never had a cold sore in my life and my last herpes test was maybe like 2 years ago and was negative as well.
Can I move on now?
Are these results conclusive?
How long does it take for a new infection to show up (test or lesions)?
Should I test at 16 weeks?
Is it possible for someone to to test positive from 12 to 16 weeks?
Thank you so much!
Thank you for your response,
As far as I know. No, i do not have HSV1 and I am sure that I don't. My doctor told me after my first test (5 weeks) to forget it about it because the test was conclusive. Then I read the time it would take to produce antibodies and I wanted to die. I've searching a lot on the forum about my question but all kinds of answers. I've read so many posts where people state that 12 weeks is conclusive but some still recommend 16 weeks. I read a blog from a guy the went through the same nightmare about 6 years ago his profile picture had a dog in a couch. He said 12 weeks was good for him and that was it. I'll be honest with you, it gives me some sort of piece of mid but then 16 weeks comes in. I am so close to 16 but at the same time really far from it. :(
I read a few answers from Grace, Fleetwood, a guy something undune and yours as well.
Does it matter who I take the test with? Quest, Labcorp, CPL or any other lab as long as it IGG?
Thank you
As far as I know. No, i do not have HSV1 and I am sure that I don't. My doctor told me after my first test (5 weeks) to forget it about it because the test was conclusive. Then I read the time it would take to produce antibodies and I wanted to die. I've searching a lot on the forum about my question but all kinds of answers. I've read so many posts where people state that 12 weeks is conclusive but some still recommend 16 weeks. I read a blog from a guy the went through the same nightmare about 6 years ago his profile picture had a dog in a couch. He said 12 weeks was good for him and that was it. I'll be honest with you, it gives me some sort of piece of mid but then 16 weeks comes in. I am so close to 16 but at the same time really far from it. :(
I read a few answers from Grace, Fleetwood, a guy something undune and yours as well.
Does it matter who I take the test with? Quest, Labcorp, CPL or any other lab as long as it IGG?
Thank you
3 Comments
Technically speaking, the official test guidelines say 16 weeks.
Experts know that a lot more goes into it than just timing - risk factors, symptoms, etc. You had protected sex one time with someone, which makes your risk 1 in 10,000, which is really, really good odds for you. You haven't had any symptoms. We know that most people develop antibodies by 6 weeks. (I did by 3 weeks, if that helps.) Are you in the US? Your odds of being struck by lightning in your lifetime in the US are 1 in 3,000, if that helps with perspective.
If you had unprotected sex, had hsv1, and/or had symptoms, I might suggest testing again.
Grace, FeelingUndone, Fleetwood - all great and you can trust what they say. I don't remember the person with a dog in his profile pic. I might remember the name, but don't remember the pic.
All labs are the same so long as it's an IgG.
Herpes shouldn't make you want to die. Trust me - I've had it for 15+ years. It's a very small blip in my life, especially compared to other things that happen in life, like losing parents, loved ones, jobs, etc.
I can't imagine you'd test positive at this point, but if you did, you'd be fine.
Experts know that a lot more goes into it than just timing - risk factors, symptoms, etc. You had protected sex one time with someone, which makes your risk 1 in 10,000, which is really, really good odds for you. You haven't had any symptoms. We know that most people develop antibodies by 6 weeks. (I did by 3 weeks, if that helps.) Are you in the US? Your odds of being struck by lightning in your lifetime in the US are 1 in 3,000, if that helps with perspective.
If you had unprotected sex, had hsv1, and/or had symptoms, I might suggest testing again.
Grace, FeelingUndone, Fleetwood - all great and you can trust what they say. I don't remember the person with a dog in his profile pic. I might remember the name, but don't remember the pic.
All labs are the same so long as it's an IgG.
Herpes shouldn't make you want to die. Trust me - I've had it for 15+ years. It's a very small blip in my life, especially compared to other things that happen in life, like losing parents, loved ones, jobs, etc.
I can't imagine you'd test positive at this point, but if you did, you'd be fine.
Hello,
Well I am back, I developed some burning, itching and discomfort on my pubic area. So I went ahead and tested again at 16 weeks. I tested through any lab test for HSVI&II IGG and both test came back negative. the value was 0.2 NEGATIVE on I&II. Then I developed an eye infection and my eye dr requested some other tests wich HSVI&II IGG were requested as well. I didn't know he had requested them but anyways both again came back negative Labcorp does not give me a number just <.91 and negative ( this test put me at 20 weeks after exposure). I'm honestly second guessing these exams. I have not developed any sores nor bumps just the burning feeling the majority of the time. Last Saturday (FEB 02) I developed a small red patch and it was hurting, itching and burning. I noticed it in the evening but I had discomfort throughout the day but it was gone the following day so dermatologist did not find anything on Monday. I did not put anything on it. I honestly think he doesn't know what is going on. He is not familiar with herpes testing, does not know anything about IGG so I just left it like that. No sores, burning, itching and just the little patch that was gone within hours. I've been having the symptoms for a while now. What is next? any recommendations?
Thank you
Well I am back, I developed some burning, itching and discomfort on my pubic area. So I went ahead and tested again at 16 weeks. I tested through any lab test for HSVI&II IGG and both test came back negative. the value was 0.2 NEGATIVE on I&II. Then I developed an eye infection and my eye dr requested some other tests wich HSVI&II IGG were requested as well. I didn't know he had requested them but anyways both again came back negative Labcorp does not give me a number just <.91 and negative ( this test put me at 20 weeks after exposure). I'm honestly second guessing these exams. I have not developed any sores nor bumps just the burning feeling the majority of the time. Last Saturday (FEB 02) I developed a small red patch and it was hurting, itching and burning. I noticed it in the evening but I had discomfort throughout the day but it was gone the following day so dermatologist did not find anything on Monday. I did not put anything on it. I honestly think he doesn't know what is going on. He is not familiar with herpes testing, does not know anything about IGG so I just left it like that. No sores, burning, itching and just the little patch that was gone within hours. I've been having the symptoms for a while now. What is next? any recommendations?
Thank you
As far as herpes is concerned, you are conclusively negative. Whatever is causing your symptoms, it isn't herpes.
You've had a TON of tests now, and every single one is negative. If you can't accept that, then it's time for some counseling.
A red patch that clears by the next day is not herpes.
A eye doc is very familiar with ocular herpes, and since your testing came back negative, he must have other ideas of what it is.
Itching, burning and discomfort in the genital area can be caused by literally 100s of different things. I don't know what caused that for you, but it's gone now, correct?
You do not have herpes. You just don't. Your tests are conclusively negative, and you can move on from herpes now. There are so many other things that could have caused your symptoms, and if they return, work with your doctors to figure out what is causing them, but it isn't herpes. Be happy with that.
You've had a TON of tests now, and every single one is negative. If you can't accept that, then it's time for some counseling.
A red patch that clears by the next day is not herpes.
A eye doc is very familiar with ocular herpes, and since your testing came back negative, he must have other ideas of what it is.
Itching, burning and discomfort in the genital area can be caused by literally 100s of different things. I don't know what caused that for you, but it's gone now, correct?
You do not have herpes. You just don't. Your tests are conclusively negative, and you can move on from herpes now. There are so many other things that could have caused your symptoms, and if they return, work with your doctors to figure out what is causing them, but it isn't herpes. Be happy with that.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yes, it's possible for someone to test positive between 12 and 16 weeks, but the vast majority of people will test positive by 6 weeks.
Do you have hsv1? You mention never having a cold sore, but 90% of people who have oral hsv1 never get a cold sore, so it's possible that you have it and don't know it. I ask because those who have hsv1 may take a little longer to develop antibodies.
Chances are really good that you didn't get hsv2 from her. You used a condom, which would put your odds of getting it at about 1 in 10,000. You aren't at risk for hsv2 from receiving oral sex from her - she is only infectious from the site of infection, and oral hsv2 is very, very rare.
It's up to you whether or not to test again. If you don't have hsv1, I don't think you need to, as you haven't had any symptoms at all, and have negative tests through 12 weeks. If you haven't been tested for hsv1, you should be.
If you go for another test, make sure it's just the IgG. The IgM is terribly unreliable, shouldn't be done on adults, and is designed to look for new infections, which if you were positive, wouldn't be a new infection now, medically. It has a high rate of false positives, and I'd hate for you to go down that spiral.
I can sense that you're angry with her, and I'm not saying you shouldn't be, but this forum is full of people who get misinformation from their doctors. So many doctors still say that if someone doesn't get outbreaks, the virus is "dormant", or "they're fine, can't transmit", or that they're some kind of "carrier" or were exposed but didn't get it. I say this because "dormant" sounds like a term she may have heard from her doctor.
I am always for full information/full consent, but misinformation can color that sometimes. I'm not saying this for her sake, but for yours. Anger eats you up, and maybe it will help you find peace with this somehow.
Do you have hsv1? You mention never having a cold sore, but 90% of people who have oral hsv1 never get a cold sore, so it's possible that you have it and don't know it. I ask because those who have hsv1 may take a little longer to develop antibodies.
Chances are really good that you didn't get hsv2 from her. You used a condom, which would put your odds of getting it at about 1 in 10,000. You aren't at risk for hsv2 from receiving oral sex from her - she is only infectious from the site of infection, and oral hsv2 is very, very rare.
It's up to you whether or not to test again. If you don't have hsv1, I don't think you need to, as you haven't had any symptoms at all, and have negative tests through 12 weeks. If you haven't been tested for hsv1, you should be.
If you go for another test, make sure it's just the IgG. The IgM is terribly unreliable, shouldn't be done on adults, and is designed to look for new infections, which if you were positive, wouldn't be a new infection now, medically. It has a high rate of false positives, and I'd hate for you to go down that spiral.
I can sense that you're angry with her, and I'm not saying you shouldn't be, but this forum is full of people who get misinformation from their doctors. So many doctors still say that if someone doesn't get outbreaks, the virus is "dormant", or "they're fine, can't transmit", or that they're some kind of "carrier" or were exposed but didn't get it. I say this because "dormant" sounds like a term she may have heard from her doctor.
I am always for full information/full consent, but misinformation can color that sometimes. I'm not saying this for her sake, but for yours. Anger eats you up, and maybe it will help you find peace with this somehow.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
