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Avatar universal

I got my HSV1 and HSV2 results back and I can't think clear. NEED HELP!

So I have a big dilemma here this is and would only be considered my "risk" event December 31, 2019 went to Salon that offered waxing services and I did not think it much and got my first full Brazilian wax service front vaginal area and back anal area.

I have been very worried since this due to the fact that before being waxed I did not get enough information about waxing. I also did not see or ask if everything was sanitized properly, or did I see if the person that applied the wax even Core gloves. (Dumb mistake on my side).

The wax she applied was a sugar hot wax and I did see that she placed it in a microwave to heat before applying.

1. What are my chances of catching Herpes HSV2 from this waxing place?

2. If exposed how many days after would I show outbreak?

3. Is HSV2 only sexually transmitted?

I have had no outbreak of anything since December that I received the wax but I am just worried, should I be? I did talk to my Obgyn and he told me not to worry and he said "HSV does not last for a long time in surfaces so it’s unlikely you got it from any objects. "  


4. How long can HSV2 live on objects?

5. She also used a towel,can it be transferred to that?

Couldn't get this off my head went and got tested HSV1 60 and HSV2 2.90

I am in shock, this was my only risky encounter. My husband went ahead and got tested twice March and April and he has HSV1 but NEGATIVE HSV2 0.10.

In November 2019 I went to my annual I got tested full panel including HSV1&2 and came back negative for HSV2. Also stating no previous exposure in the past.

What can I make out of this? Need advice. I have been with my husband and only him over 10 year in a Monogamous relationship. Should I even worry about this?

I just need to hear opinions.
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Avatar universal
Hello just wanted to add my updates, I went ahead and got Western Bolt thru Terri and so happy with my results.

HSV1 (ORAL since childhood)
HSV2 NEGATIVE!!!!!

ANYONE OUT THERE WHO IS DOUBTING YOUR RESULTS, GET THE WESTERN BLOT.
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1 Comments
Oh I am so happy for you!! Thank you so much for the update. I'm glad you went ahead and did it, and the peace of mind is priceless.

Congrats and thanks again for the update!! :)
Avatar universal
Just wanted to give my update!

Ordered Western Blot thru Terri and received my results back

HSV1  POSITIVE (Oral since childhood)
HSV2 NEGATIVE

So HAPPY but this affected me a lot emotionally and mentally. I hope that anyone who doubts their results gets a good confirmation which is the Western Bolt.
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Avatar universal
HSV-2 TYPE SPEC AB, IGG W/RFLX 11/16/2019 (#44466, Final, 11/14/2019 11:17am)

Negative IgG <0.9

This test checks for previous exposure to herpes type II. The test shows that you've not previously been exposed to Herpes type II.
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6 Comments
What does your most recent one say?

And I've had herpes for 15+ years, so I know that in the big picture, it's not that big of a deal. I also know how I got it, though, and wasn't married, etc.

So what you need to do now is eat. You need to sleep. If you're depressed, and especially if that depression isn't new, you need to get therapy and talk to your doctor about medication maybe. Take care of yourself mentally and physically first. That's the most important thing. The rest will work itself out.

My guess is that this is a false positive, because unless you or your husband went outside your marriage, there's no way you'd be positive.

Get the Western Blot. Let's find out what that says.

Even if you are positive, it's not nearly as bad as you're thinking it is, I swear.

How is your husband handling this?

Thank you for replying my most recent one was an HSV1 =60H and for HSV2 IgG= 2.90

My husband tested March and April both stayed the same.

HSV1 20 and HSV2 NEGATIVE .10

I have not been with anyone else or him I can be sure of that. The wax place was my only concern, so you may be right this may be a false positive because it does not make sense. Last Negative report also says no previous past exposures. So from November to March the only new thing I did was the full Brazilian wax I have seen many posts where they have close numbers to same results then test negative, but in my case I have not been exposed sexually with anyone else so it does not make sense.

Also do you know about the Immunobolt? My doctor suggested I get this from his office it is ran by LabCorp he told me it is the same as Western Bolt how true is this? If IgG numbers go down is that good? More likely to be false correct?

I read on a post that Terri said that if a supplement is positive it can be negative on Western Bolt have you seen cases like this?

Thank YOU so much for what you do.


All the tests have been IgG.
On the most recent hsv2, was a reflex test done? Quest and LabCorp are usually doing that now, (and I think that's the supplemental test Terri is talking about), but I don't see where you mention that on your 2nd test.

I haven't personally seen it, but the only supplemental tests I've seen are negative. (The supplemental tests are pretty new, so I haven't seen a lot yet.)

Your doctor is annoying the hell out of me. The Immunoblot is the same type of test as the IgG, and it shouldn't be used to confirm an IgG - it will likely give you the same result.

It says this clearly in the CDC STD Treatment Guidelines that your doctor should be adhering to if he is testing for and treating STDs:

https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/herpes.htm

The most commonly used test, HerpeSelect HSV-2 Elisa might be falsely positive at low index values (1.1–3.5) (334-336). Such low values should be confirmed with another test, such as Biokit or the Western blot (337). The HerpeSelect HSV-2 Immunoblot should not be used for confirmation, because it uses the same antigen as the HSV-2 Elisa.

You should print that page out and bring it to your doctor, or email it to him.

You're welcome, and really - hang in there. It might take some time, but you will get through this, no matter what happens, I swear.
I don't think I can trust my Obgyn doctor, after all the wrong information he provided me with. Terri responded my questions and I am more at peace now. She said this

"If you and your husband have only sex with each other, you do not need to worry about herpes, even with this test result.  How would either of you get it?"

She is absolutely correct I can't, and I say me because his test results are negative which it is in my favor.

Now I am just debating if I should even worry about The Western Bolt, this has been very hard to me. Thinking of the process then waiting time not sure if I can handle it.

What do you think?

Thank you and Blessings.
This is up to you entirely. For me, I wouldn't worry about a thing. Everyone is different and has a different need to pursue things to different levels. It would be okay if you needed the WB to put this to rest, but I would feel comfortable myself calling this a false positive, given your history and your recent negative test and lack of risks.

Either way, there are no wrong answers. Getting the WB could be a pain, maybe, but maybe for you, the peace of mind would be worth it. Again, no wrong answers here. It's up to you entirely.

Trusting your gyno for things like pap smears and such may be fine. Many docs aren't up to date on herpes, which is unfortunate.

Avatar universal
I have been depressed ever since I got these results, can eat or anything. But what would you do in my situation?
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much for replying back, all tests where IgG including my husband's. So back in November it was IgG negative for HSV2, and before that all the way back always negative, also IgG tests. My husband is negative so it just can't be.
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207091 tn?1337709493
COMMUNITY LEADER
Okay first, take a big deep breath, and let it out slowly. I know this is alarming, but we'll get you through it.

First, you should know that anything below a 3.5 needs to be confirmed as it has a chance of being a false positive. The closer the number is to 3.5, the higher the chance of it being accurate, but it still needs to be confirmed. You can do this with a Western Blot test, which your doctor can order. I'll explain more on that below.

I guess I should have asked first if it's an IgM or IgG test? If it's an IgM it's worthless. It's wrong at least as often as it is right, and shouldn't be done on adults.


1. What are my chances of catching Herpes HSV2 from this waxing place?

None. As your doctor said, it doesn't live long on surfaces, so even if they had sterilized nothing, you wouldn't have gotten it. You'd be far more likely to get a staph infection or something.

2. If exposed how many days after would I show outbreak?

2-20 days, average of 4.

3. Is HSV2 only sexually transmitted?

Yes.

4. How long can HSV2 live on objects?

This is hard to say - depends on the conditions, the object, etc., but in a salon environment? Not long. Too many people, too much exposure to air, too many other things floating around, too many chemicals.

5. She also used a towel,can it be transferred to that?

No.

Think of the number of people who get waxed every day. We'd hear way more about this if waxing could transmit this.

Now, I don't want to give you false hope, but I'd like to see your test from November, and see your results this time. I'd like to make sure that it's not an IgM test. If it's an IgM test, it's worthless and all this will be for nothing.

Your doctor, if he's testing and treating STDs, needs to be familiar with the CDC Treatment Guidelines. These specifically mention that anything between a 1.10 and a 3.5 on the Herpes IgG needs to be confirmed -

https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/herpes.htm

The most commonly used test, HerpeSelect HSV-2 Elisa might be falsely positive at low index values (1.1–3.5) (334-336). Such low values should be confirmed with another test, such as Biokit or the Western blot (337).

Your doctor can order the test here - https://depts.washington.edu/herpes/pages/hsv_resources

Or you can go through Terri Warren on her site, but you'll have to self pay - https://westoverheights.com/getting-a-herpes-western-blot/

So keep breathing, and we'll figure it out, okay?
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