Meningitis - Questions

[GreenOpal]

I'll try to make this short. I went to the ED with the worst headache of my life, vomiting, back and neck pain, and light and sound sensitivity. I had a CAT scan, and lumbar puncture and found out I had meningitis. They admitted me and eventually ruled out bacterial. I was discharged with antibiotics, antivirals and a few other things. Two days after being home I had the same headache and neck pain and the pain meds they gave me weren't even touching the pain. I called the ID doc and the nurse confirmed my HSV-2 test was positive. They direct admitted me for IV acyclovir and pain management. The only thing that helped the pain was dilaudid and solu medrol. I got a PICC line and went home for 14 days of IV acyclovir every 8 hours. I'm still tired, but feeling better and trying to wrap my head around all of this.

I've never had an outbreak. Even with the meningitis I didn't have any sores. I did have intercourse about a month before the meningitis symptoms started. I also had intercourse with the same person about four days before the meningitis symptoms. This partner has never had symptoms of HSV-2 and is getting tested.

So. Is it possible to test positive for HSV-2 and it not be affiliated with the sore/OB form of herpes?
Is it possible to test positive for HSV-2 and not ever have a genital/oral outbreak?
Is it possible to have outbreaks internally? The pain in my neck and back was similar to the pain when I had shingles. I'm wondering if I could have had an OB on my meninges?
Can I be positive for HSV-2 and never shed/infect others?
How likely is it that my most recent partner is the person who gave me the virus? Because of the meningitis I've been told my initial exposure was likely recent. But I know the virus can lay dormant.
I've had chicken pox, shingles, and mono/Epstein Barr at different times in my life. Could those have any affect on the HSV-2 test coming back positive?
I do have small almost ant bite like bumps on my back, shoulders, neck and one on my arm. The ID doc says it could be a reaction to the meds. Any insight on what these may be?
I'm having more tests in about 3 weeks and this is exactly what the order says:

Herpes IgM, IgG both Type 1 and 2
CD4
CBC with diff
CMP
Ig M
IgE level
IgG
IgG subclasses
Ig A
ANA

I know what CBC and CMP are. And I know IgM is pretty useless, but IgG is included so I'm not going to bring it up. But I'm not sure what the different IgG tests are for or what the rest are for.

Sorry for all the scatter-brained questions. I searched this forum and others for answers to these questions but didn't find answers. I really appreciate your assistance!!

[gracefromHHP]

I love sunflowers too :)  they just scream summer to me!

my dogs are getting too old . the animals know to just freeze in place and they won't be seen....lol   the deer even know how far their leashes go!

I have too much time on my hands nowadays when not at work so canning /cooking/freezing makes my day go faster and makes me happy :)  

[GreenOpal]

MMmmmm Asparagus Risotto sounds delicious!  I steamed it last night from frozen.  Will not do that again.  Very soft and I like my asparagus crunchy.  I have tomato plants and pineapple plants.  So far that's all I've been able to keep alive that is edible (produce).  I did grow sunflowers that are in bloom right now and they make me very happy.  :)  So far no critters have gotten my tomatoes.  I keep them in the front of the house because I *know* my pups would have a ball playing with some 'maters.  They'd probably also enjoy helping you scare off the rabbits and deer!

The vendors at the Farmer's Market aren't all organic.  I may hunt down some who are and buy from them.  I'm going to need a larger kitchen to be able to clean and process all the produce, but it does make me happy to know I'm eating healthier.  One bright side to all of this.  :)

[gracefromHHP]

I am lucky to live in a rather rural area so getting farm fresh produce ( and affordable produce ) is easy for me!  Many of the  farmers have went organic too which is terrific too.   I also have my own garden where I grow organic too.  I also entertain the neighbors running out in my garden to scare off the bunnies and the deer nightly too....he he he  ( note to self, think about which nighty you are wearing when you do that....lol )

I never knew I like asparagus until last year when I finally tried it. made a lot of it this year when it came into season.   Even made a risotto with it :)  

[GreenOpal]

Couldn't agree with you more!  I made myself a greenish smoothie this morning.  It was more like a fruit and veggie puree, but I'm still learning!  I'm sure I could add more almond milk to make it more smoothie-like.  

I saw some asparagus in Whole Foods and wanted to grab it, but I also learned a valuable lesson - don't go to WF on the weekend!  I'll plan to go to the local farmer's market on Saturday instead.  It'll still be busy, but I like the idea of supporting local.  :)

[gracefromHHP]

good time of the year to make resolutions like that!! All those fresh veggies around that look so tempting :)   all the fruits that are coming into season!!  I practically drool when I go to our local farmers market every saturday :)  

[GreenOpal]

My immune system has sucked. Chronic sinus infections and I'm overweight. This whole sickness has made me want to get healthier and beat it.

Thanks for the link. I forwarded to him. Will keep you posted.

[gracefromHHP]

your partner can order up their own herpes igg blood testing through online companies like healthcheckusa.com and have results back in 48 hours. same as he doesn't need an appointment, he can just call his provider, say his partner was recently diagnosed with genital herpes and he needs a type specific herpes igg blood test to see what his status is and they can order it for him.  

the hsv2 meningitis and the genital hsv2 infections are related.  when you are infected with hsv2 genitally, the virus can infect your csf enough to cause active meningitis when initially infected.  

it's not your immune system that is the problem here. it's really just bad luck.  whether or not you notice obvious genital lesions when infected has as much to do with your prior hsv1 status as well as your genes.  immune boosters don't seem to have an effect on herpes ( though your herbalist will try to convince you otherwise - the research backs me up, not them ).

[GreenOpal]

No. Unfortunately the doctor doesn't have appointments for 3 weeks. I suggested going to the health department or planned parenthood. Not sure if he will or just wait to see the PCP.

So, are HSV-2 meningitis and genital herpes unrelated?  I'm learning more and more everyday and I know herpes is a funky virus. My immune system has never been spectacular. So if I had meningitis, I'd think that's a perfect time to have an OB. I saw an herbalist today so I'm hoping to get my immune system in check.

I'll post test results here when I get them. Do you know what each of them is for? Or is that in the handbook I haven't had time to read yet?

[gracefromHHP]

just add to this post so it's all in one place - thanks :)

not too unusual to contract hsv2 meningitis when you contract hsv2 genitally. also not too unusual not to notice genital symptoms of hsv2 too.  

did your partner get their test results back yet?

[GreenOpal]

Grace: I believe what came back positive for HSV-2 was the CSF. They took blood, but I don't believe it was used for the IgG test. I think they just tested for CBC and such with that.

I still have to wait a couple weeks to go have the blood test (a month after 6/13). When I get them do you want me to post a new question or can I post here and it will show up as a new post?

[gracefromHHP]

did your csf show signs of herpes?

I can best help you if you can get your actual herpes igg blood test results to post here - e.g. hsv1 igg 5.4 and hsv2 igg 4.3 or whatever they are.

grace