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I'm positive/husband negative?
I have had recurrent yeast infections and bv for years--around 2000 or 2001, when I visited my pcp for my condition, she did tests for std's. She said that I was negative for everything else, but tested positive for hsv1 & 2. I have never had any outbreaks, but I have continued to have struggles with yeast infections over the years.
Fast forward to 2013. Last November, I was afraid that I was having a herpes ob so I went to my local urgent care. They did a swab test--negative for everything, except a yeast infection. My husband who is uncircumcised has had red patches that responded to yeast infection creams, but he still a bit of discoloration from it.
A few months ago, we were worried that we were passing yeast infections, or something worse, back and forth and when to urgent care. They diagnosed yeast infection--and we both responded to the treatment. About a month later, when we saw a new pcp who did std tests for both of us. I told him that I had been told that I was positive years ago, but never had an outbreak that I know of. He retested and came back with the same results, positive igg for hsv 1 & 2, >5, and negative igm. But my husband is negative for hsv 1 & 2 on both igg and igm.
Everything that I've read says that if you have hsv, then you are constantly shedding even if you are asymptomatic, as I am. If that is the case, then how could my husband be negative after 15 years of sex with me? We got together in 1999. His results weren't just low and negative, there were no numbers at all. I'm not sure whom I contracted it from--it certainly wasn't my husband. I can best narrow down the time frame to sometime between 1991, when I last had completely clean std tests, and 1999. I suspect it was probably my ex-husband.
I was exposed to chicken pox as an infant. I got shingles when I was exposed to chicken pox again when I was in Kindergarten, and I got Mono when I was 19 years old. I understand that these are caused all different types of herpes viruses (chicken pox/singles by hsv 3, and mono by 4 and possibly 5). What doesn't make sense to me is how people can develop immunity to chicken pox, shingles, and mono, but not hsv 1 & 2?
I've read that people who already have had hsv 1 or 2 and then are exposed to the other often have a milder outbreak or are even asymptomatic. If these other diseases are all caused by different types of herpes viruses, could it be possible that all of my other exposures could have helped my immune system whenever I was exposed to hsv 1 & 2? Is it possible that I could actually be immune because my immune system is "more effective" at fighting herpes viruses?
Fast forward to 2013. Last November, I was afraid that I was having a herpes ob so I went to my local urgent care. They did a swab test--negative for everything, except a yeast infection. My husband who is uncircumcised has had red patches that responded to yeast infection creams, but he still a bit of discoloration from it.
A few months ago, we were worried that we were passing yeast infections, or something worse, back and forth and when to urgent care. They diagnosed yeast infection--and we both responded to the treatment. About a month later, when we saw a new pcp who did std tests for both of us. I told him that I had been told that I was positive years ago, but never had an outbreak that I know of. He retested and came back with the same results, positive igg for hsv 1 & 2, >5, and negative igm. But my husband is negative for hsv 1 & 2 on both igg and igm.
Everything that I've read says that if you have hsv, then you are constantly shedding even if you are asymptomatic, as I am. If that is the case, then how could my husband be negative after 15 years of sex with me? We got together in 1999. His results weren't just low and negative, there were no numbers at all. I'm not sure whom I contracted it from--it certainly wasn't my husband. I can best narrow down the time frame to sometime between 1991, when I last had completely clean std tests, and 1999. I suspect it was probably my ex-husband.
I was exposed to chicken pox as an infant. I got shingles when I was exposed to chicken pox again when I was in Kindergarten, and I got Mono when I was 19 years old. I understand that these are caused all different types of herpes viruses (chicken pox/singles by hsv 3, and mono by 4 and possibly 5). What doesn't make sense to me is how people can develop immunity to chicken pox, shingles, and mono, but not hsv 1 & 2?
I've read that people who already have had hsv 1 or 2 and then are exposed to the other often have a milder outbreak or are even asymptomatic. If these other diseases are all caused by different types of herpes viruses, could it be possible that all of my other exposures could have helped my immune system whenever I was exposed to hsv 1 & 2? Is it possible that I could actually be immune because my immune system is "more effective" at fighting herpes viruses?
Best Answer
Thank you for that information. I bet it probably does vary from person to person. I'm actually going to see my doctor again tomorrow morning, so I will see what he says. I'll let you know.
Nice to have someone who understands. :-)
Nice to have someone who understands. :-)
just came back from the docter...
She said:
You may have hsv-2 in your system and the virus can be inactive.
That means you have no symptoms going on and you are not feeling sick. During this time you will not pass it on to your partner.
I read a lot of stuff online also about shedding and stuff.... I think it differs a lot per person... so if you are a healthy person I think it is safe to say you shouldn't worry that much about the shedding.
Obviously if you have sores, you already know that it is then that the virus is active and you can easily pass it on.
Hope this helps you ??
She said:
You may have hsv-2 in your system and the virus can be inactive.
That means you have no symptoms going on and you are not feeling sick. During this time you will not pass it on to your partner.
I read a lot of stuff online also about shedding and stuff.... I think it differs a lot per person... so if you are a healthy person I think it is safe to say you shouldn't worry that much about the shedding.
Obviously if you have sores, you already know that it is then that the virus is active and you can easily pass it on.
Hope this helps you ??
Yes, that is exactly what I want to know.
I think it's just weird that with all the times that we have had sex that it has NEVER been at a time when I was shedding the virus. If I really am shedding the virus. I don't know.
And being "asymptomatic" how would I know when I am shedding? Or am I really having symptoms but no one can tell me what they are because no one has studied hsv1 and hsv2 in asymptomatic people?
I'm glad you know what triggers your cold sores. I wish I could figure out what is going on with me.
I think it's just weird that with all the times that we have had sex that it has NEVER been at a time when I was shedding the virus. If I really am shedding the virus. I don't know.
And being "asymptomatic" how would I know when I am shedding? Or am I really having symptoms but no one can tell me what they are because no one has studied hsv1 and hsv2 in asymptomatic people?
I'm glad you know what triggers your cold sores. I wish I could figure out what is going on with me.
what you want to know is why is your husband negative right?
I want to know that too.... if you have the virus does that mean every time you have sex are you are passing it to the other not infected person?
Like I had HSV-1 since childhood .. MY hsv-2 came positive, but i never had an outbreak either... nor symptoms for hsv2 Does that mean it is unlikely that i will pass it on to my future sex partners ?
did had cold sores every summer which i know sunlight triggers it on my lip (HSV-1)
I want to know that too.... if you have the virus does that mean every time you have sex are you are passing it to the other not infected person?
Like I had HSV-1 since childhood .. MY hsv-2 came positive, but i never had an outbreak either... nor symptoms for hsv2 Does that mean it is unlikely that i will pass it on to my future sex partners ?
did had cold sores every summer which i know sunlight triggers it on my lip (HSV-1)
I don't mean to be argumentative, but my questions were not answered. The response I was given after I posted that the tests were separate not combined was that I conclusively have the viruses--which was not what I asked. I was not trying to deny that I have the virus.
What I have trying to figure out is what could be the explanation for MY particular situation.
First of all, if you look up the word "constant" in the dictionary, it means "regularly recurrent; continual; persistent." This is the definition that I was using when I said "constantly shedding."
At no time did I ever believe that I was shedding "without pause or let up; unceasing" which seems to be your only understanding of the word, based on your reply.
The shedding rates that were given did not answer any of my questions, but merely created more. Those rates were averages based upon studies. So for HSV-2 it said that it was 15 - 30% of days evaluated. Okay so how many days were they evaluated? Was it every day for 1 month? 2 months? 6 months? 1 year? If that's the case then it would work out to between 4.5 and 9 days a month.
Were they only evaluated for one week each month? That changes the actual number of days again to only 1 or 2 days...Two weeks? now it's only 2 to 4 days.
Were the studies that provided these rates done over just the first year or for a longer period of time? Just like there is research that says that previous infection with one type of hsv virus can help lessen the severity of another type of hsv infection, I have also read that research has shown that recurrences drop off after a year. So I'm sorry but no, even what was provided did not provide any useful information.
The average normal human temperature is 98.6 which means that some are higher and some are lower. Mine happens to be low--if I have 98.9 temp, I'm sick as a dog-but have spent most of my life being told I don't have a temperature because people take the 98.6 as gospel. And my OB told me when I was pregnant with my first child that, "USUALLY when women are 4cm dilated and their contractions are regular, we tell them to go to the hospital," but my contractions were NEVER regular. I was never told "you're in active labor, go home, grab your bag and head to the hospital"--so I thought I was supposed to go home and wait for my contractions to get regular. As a result, I almost had my first child at home.
I'm not really interested in averages--I'm interested in trying to explain what is happening in MY unique situation taking into account my history of prior hsv illnesses, an uninfected spouse, and my apparent lack of symptoms (because the only thing that seems to be online are the worst cases and the "average" symptoms, which I don't have). And people want to blame the "asymptomatic" people for the spread of the disease when there is not good information for people in our situation...smh
What I have trying to figure out is what could be the explanation for MY particular situation.
First of all, if you look up the word "constant" in the dictionary, it means "regularly recurrent; continual; persistent." This is the definition that I was using when I said "constantly shedding."
At no time did I ever believe that I was shedding "without pause or let up; unceasing" which seems to be your only understanding of the word, based on your reply.
The shedding rates that were given did not answer any of my questions, but merely created more. Those rates were averages based upon studies. So for HSV-2 it said that it was 15 - 30% of days evaluated. Okay so how many days were they evaluated? Was it every day for 1 month? 2 months? 6 months? 1 year? If that's the case then it would work out to between 4.5 and 9 days a month.
Were they only evaluated for one week each month? That changes the actual number of days again to only 1 or 2 days...Two weeks? now it's only 2 to 4 days.
Were the studies that provided these rates done over just the first year or for a longer period of time? Just like there is research that says that previous infection with one type of hsv virus can help lessen the severity of another type of hsv infection, I have also read that research has shown that recurrences drop off after a year. So I'm sorry but no, even what was provided did not provide any useful information.
The average normal human temperature is 98.6 which means that some are higher and some are lower. Mine happens to be low--if I have 98.9 temp, I'm sick as a dog-but have spent most of my life being told I don't have a temperature because people take the 98.6 as gospel. And my OB told me when I was pregnant with my first child that, "USUALLY when women are 4cm dilated and their contractions are regular, we tell them to go to the hospital," but my contractions were NEVER regular. I was never told "you're in active labor, go home, grab your bag and head to the hospital"--so I thought I was supposed to go home and wait for my contractions to get regular. As a result, I almost had my first child at home.
I'm not really interested in averages--I'm interested in trying to explain what is happening in MY unique situation taking into account my history of prior hsv illnesses, an uninfected spouse, and my apparent lack of symptoms (because the only thing that seems to be online are the worst cases and the "average" symptoms, which I don't have). And people want to blame the "asymptomatic" people for the spread of the disease when there is not good information for people in our situation...smh
Life360 answered your question. What else do you seek? You are not shedding the virus constantly. Where are you getting that information. Shedding rates based on studies are what Life posted.
Your husband can in fact go an entire lifetime without contracting your virus, as long as he avoids sex when you're having an outbreak. You don't know when you're shedding at times, but it's entirely possible to avoid contracting it at the length of time you describe. As Life mention, possibly a lifetime.
What's your question?
Your husband can in fact go an entire lifetime without contracting your virus, as long as he avoids sex when you're having an outbreak. You don't know when you're shedding at times, but it's entirely possible to avoid contracting it at the length of time you describe. As Life mention, possibly a lifetime.
What's your question?
Oops I did not mean to put that as best answer because my questions have not been answered at all... In fact I have found conflicting information to what has been said especially about hsv1 not being immune help against hsv2. I didn't say that having a prior hsv1 or 2 infection would PREVENT infection with the other...I said that it would help the immune response... Here is information I found that supports what I said...
"By comparison, almost all HSV-2 is encountered after childhood, when people become sexually active. Those who have a prior infection with HSV-1 have an acquired immune response that lowers - though certainly doesn't eliminate-the risk of acquiring HSV-2. According to one study (Mertz, Annals of Internal Medicine,1992), previous oral HSV-1 infection reduces the acquisition of subsequent HSV-2 infection by 40%."
I was hoping to get some answers on this site but really have gotten no help at all and no answers to my questions so this has been a complete waste of time....I will go elsewhere.
"By comparison, almost all HSV-2 is encountered after childhood, when people become sexually active. Those who have a prior infection with HSV-1 have an acquired immune response that lowers - though certainly doesn't eliminate-the risk of acquiring HSV-2. According to one study (Mertz, Annals of Internal Medicine,1992), previous oral HSV-1 infection reduces the acquisition of subsequent HSV-2 infection by 40%."
I was hoping to get some answers on this site but really have gotten no help at all and no answers to my questions so this has been a complete waste of time....I will go elsewhere.
And is there a way that a doctor can tell if you are shedding the virus other than the obvious lesions?
My question wasn't whether or not I have them. My question is if I do then and if it's true that once you have it, you are constantly shedding the virus, then how could my husband not be infected as well after 15 years of sex with me? And if people can be immune to chicken pox, shingles, and mono that are caused by other hsv viruses, why can't people also be immune to 1 and 2? And if I'm not having any outbreaks, and my husband hasn't been infected could I actually be immune? I've never had even as much as a cold sore. I can't find any references to any studies that have been done or are being done about possible immunity.
Since most labs stop at 5 and you tested positive at 5 for both, then that would be considered conclusive that you infact have both hsv1 and 2.
It wasn't a combined test. Each result was more than 5. I remember the exact values because I was given the results over the phone.
Hi, you mentioned you tested at a 5 for hsv1 and 2, if this was a combined test it has no diagnoses value. It needs to be a type specific. What were the number for hsv1 and what were the numbers for hsv2?
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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.
HSV 2 genital 15-30% of days evaluated
HSV 1 genital 3-5% of days evaluated
HSV 1 oral 9-18% of days evaluated
HSV 2 oral 1% of days evaluated
And yes folks can have unprotected sex an still not contract it even after many years.
No, having hsv1 would not be much of any immue help in preventing hsv2 and this goes for the other strains of herpes as well.