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PLEASE help. hsv 1 and 2 differentiation/issues; conflicting lab results

Hi, so I really appreciate anyone who has insight about this - especially gyno's! Background: at 17, I was diagnosed with genital herpes type 1 (so the cold sore type on genitals) from my boyfriend at the time. He had asymptomatic shedding from his mouth. I had one other very minor outbreak besides the initial one when I was 21 and it was very mild, little to no pain, only one sore. Fast forward to now, I'm 23, I recently had a genital outbreak on my left labia (sort of inner) and it was fairly painful, several sores, swollen glands and all, although the outbreak didn't last long - maybe 6 days. I got a viral culture of it on the 2nd day of the outbreak AND ALSO on the 4th day of the outbreak, to be extra careful. Turns out, one culture came back positive as HSV 1, the 4th day culture came back positive for HSV 2. This was exactly what I was terrified of and am freaking out. I use condoms every single time I have sex and have only slept with 2 different guys in the past 3 months and maybe 8 men total in my whole life (several of which have been completely monogamous relationships). Literally use condoms every time without fail. Please note - the same day I got the first culture (2nd day), I also got tested for HSV 2-specific IGG which was negative on Feb 12th, and HSV IGM which was also negative.
Is it possible to have a herpes outbreak of both HSV 1 and HSV 2 at the same time?? I can't find anything on the internet about it. Wouldn't my previous HSV 1 provide a bit of immunity against genital HSV 2? How high are the rates for false positives for herpes cultures? I believe it was a NAA culture - whatever that means.

So confused, don't understand how this is happening especially to someone like me who is super careful and gets STD tested all the time. Is it possible it is just HSV 1 and the second culture was not accurate? Which culture should I trust more? What are my next steps? Please help - doctors seem to know a shockingly little amount about HSV.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!
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I'm sorry there's confusion about this.

So first, having ghsv1 doesn't provide any immunity to ghsv2.

I would ask if you could get copies of your lab results - are you sure all of your cultures were type specific? You are at low risk for hsv2 since you use condoms - it doesn't totally prevent hsv2 infection, but does significantly reduce the risk.

If they were NAAT tests, they were probably typed, but I'd still like to see them. Here's some info on NAAT testing - http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/stdsstis/herpes/herpes-testing/

Given that you suddenly had a pretty severe outbreak - which would be unusual for an existing ghsv1 infection - it does seem possible that you were newly infected with ghsv2.

The IgM test is worthless - it's wrong as often as it is right. My own was negative when it should have been positive, and positive when it should have been negative.

Your HSV2 IgG being negative now means that you could have a new infection, or for some reason, it could be a false positive. Only time will tell on that. It can take up to 4 months to develop those antibodies.

I would suggest that you talk to Terri Warren, who is one of the world leading experts in herpes. You can post a question to her on her site - https://westoverheights.com/herpes-questions/ There is a fee of $20, which she explains. She can help with the more technical questions you may have.

I did find this:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3922364/

Recent studies showed that compared to 1988–1994, the seroprevalence of HSV-1 decreased between 1999 and 2004, but the incidence of genital herpes caused by HSV-1 may be increasing [5]. Co-infection with HSV-1 and HSV-2 (which has decreased from 14.6% in 1988–1994 to 10.5% in 1999–2004) influences the epidemiology of clinical genital herpes (less frequent recurrences, 5.9%) compared to persons seropositive for HSV-2 only (16.2%) [6]. 1 (Yes, it's old and probably outdated, but I can't find much else.)

Terri would be able to help with this, probably.

I know this is a lot. Hang in there, and we'll get you through this.



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Thank you for responding! I’m pretty sure they were both typed, I saw them and they looked crystal clear. Terri seems great but I’m not sure I want to pay the $20. I’ll definitely have a look through her site though.
I just want to know if this is possible to have both appear at the exact same place at the exact same time - HOW is that possible to get two different positive results from the same location? My gyno didn’t even seem to be sure but I saw him today and he ran an HSV IGM and IGG, even though I know people say igm isn’t great. He said I can come back in a few weeks/months to get a repeat if today’s blood test is still negative. I’m freaking out over here just because I feel like I can’t emotionally handle the idea of ANOTHER type even though I know clinically they aren’t that different. Any ideas about false positive rates for NAAT tests?

Also, I’m not actually sure how severe I consider my last outbreak, it was kind of painful but not nearly as painful as my primary genital HSV 1 outbreak at 17. There were maybe 5 lesions? Like I said, it came and went quickly but I didn’t have painful nodes.
Literally any additional insight is welcome, I feel like my life is over part 2
The IgM shouldn't be done on adults at all. Every single expert and the CDC says this. Whatever the result is, ignore it.

https://www.statnews.com/2017/01/26/flawed-herpes-testing-leads-to-false-positives/ - this is about the IgM

https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2013/07/order-herpes-igm-blood-test.html

I don't want to harp on it too much, but I also don't want you to freak needlessly if it comes back positive, or get confused by the results.



Okay, so wait -

The 4 day culture was from a culture on the same spot as the 2 day culture? The same sore? Can you find that out? Why did you go back in and get more testing done on day 4?


So while we figure that out, here's some info:


The NAAT has a sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of ~100%. The sensitivity means that it correctly identifies those who have it 98% of the time - about 2% are false negatives. The specificity means it correctly excludes those who don't have it. A test that has a ~100% specificity means there are very, very few false positives.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4032358/ - NAAT info

https://ebn.bmj.com/content/23/1/2 - info on sensitivity and specificity

It's possible that you have a new hsv2 infection, and that triggered a ghsv1 outbreak. The reason it probably wasn't severe was because your first ghsv1 outbreak was a true primary - you had neither hsv1 or hsv2 antibodies at the time, and had nothing to help control the infection.

If you do have hsv2, you already had hsv1 antibodies, and that can help keep hsv2 in check, making it milder for some people.

I get the mental impact this may have on you. I might have the same reaction, and I know all kinds of things about herpes. Intellectually, I know that herpes doesn't end your life as you know it. Emotionally might feel differently.

HOWEVER lol - you thought your life was over with ghsv1 (hence the part 2). It wasn't. It won't be now. Just give yourself time to get through all these tests, keep breathing, and remember who you are. Having any infection, any virus, or illness, doesn't change all the wonderful things about you. The right person for you will know that.

What I don't know is how having both ghsv1 and ghsv2 affects shedding rates and transmission. If you can't afford the $20, I'll see what I can do to find out from Terri. Ghsv2 sheds more and has higher transmission rates than ghsv1, but I don't know about the two together in the same location.







Yes, I've heard that the NAAT test is very reliable, which has pretty much crushed all of my hope that this might be just a recurrence of genital hsv 1.

Sorry if my summary was confusing - it's honestly hard to keep track of. I went to get a culture of suspected lesions on day 2 of symptoms - at this point I knew it was definitely herpetic. After two days had passed, I was worried that the culture was going to come back negative bc of maybe not a good sample, etc., in which case I would be dying not knowing which type. So, I went back on day 4ish of outbreak to get another culture just in case (also because I'm a psycho, essentially for back up). Because to me, the best case scenario was going to be verification that it was HSV1.
The first swab culture (day 2) came back positive for HSV 1 (NAAT test).  The second culture on day 4 in the same EXACT AREA came back as positive for HSV 2 (NAAT test). The swabs were collected from the exact same area, just different days.
So, if the NAAT is as accurate as the internet explains, then either I was having an outbreak of both (which to my gyno seems unlikely, can't find anything on the internet about it either) OR one of the tests is not correct - just don't know which one. This would happen to me.....apparently trying to be diligent about a lab test ends up screwing you over....

Another thing: I went to my gyno today to look over the lab results and he said he could test my HSV 2 IGG levels again, in which case today marks a little over a month since I could have been last exposed. Haven't had sex since the start of Feb, but I know something could have been passed on before then too. We went ahead with the blood test and if the HSV 2 IGG comes back positive in a few days, I'll know for sure, if it comes back negative, I guess I will have to test IGG levels again at a later date.

Trying to deal with the anxiety but I'm really young and I'm so worried about it affecting my dating life, not to mention telling the person who likely gave it to me. I know HSV2 recurs more frequently/is more easily spread genital to genital, so I just feel like it really changes things. Feel like no one will ever want me again sooo basically this is a nightmare - none of my friends ever use protection during sex and I'm the one it happens to!!?

I realllllly appreciate all your support and insight and welcome any more you have - thank you!!!
Okay makes sense now.

And you may test positive now for hsv2 on the IgG. Some people do earlier than others. People with an existing hsv1 infection can sometimes - not always - take a bit longer though, so you may not.

As far as telling the person who gave it to you, possibly - what are your hesitations there? This person may have it and not know it, and could be transmitting it unknowingly. Or they could know they have it and not be aware that you can transmit it without symptoms - a lot of doctors still tell their patients that, so they'll need to know that's not true. Or he's an ass, but he needs to know that he's transmitted it, no matter what the case. There is no shame here for you.

As far as dating - well, dating is hard, with or without herpes. However, herpes doesn't really change it a lot. I didn't get herpes until I was older, but one of my good friends got it from her first boyfriend when we were in high school. Of course, as happens in high school, one person told someone, and that person told another person, and so on, until everyone knew. She was upset, but she OWNED it. She educated herself with all the info we had at the time (this was a long time ago lol), and guys still wanted to date her because she was confident.

We went to the same college, and she still dated. She was always one who preferred long term relationships over casual dating - just who she is - but she never lacked for dates. She met a guy, fell in love, got married, has 2 kids now.

I use it as a filter. People are allowed to decline dating someone, for any reason, and that's okay. Everyone has deal breakers - it may be smoking, drinking, sexual history, criminal histories, appearance - it could be shallow or something much deeper. STDs may be someone's deal breaker - that's okay. That person isn't right for me. That leaves me free to find someone who is.

It may not be an absolute deal breaker for someone, but you can also tell a lot about a person in how they react, too. Are they respectful, do they freak out, do they insult you, etc.? If they get nasty or freak out, that isn't your person, either.

This is true whether or not you have hsv2.

And remember that you still have power in dating. You aren't suddenly desperate. You will still have your deal breakers, and hold on to those. Remember that everyone has things they'd rather not share with someone they are dating, and this list only grows as you get older. It might be a criminal record, debt, an STD (I've had a few men tell me they have herpes too after I've told them I have it), scars from injury or surgeries, a trauma history, a bad dating history, kids, or who knows what. Maybe they failed out of college, or have a bad employment record. Trust me when I say that there will be things far, far worse than herpes.

I mean - maybe his mommy picks out his clothes and still tucks him into bed every night. ;)

So don't let yourself buy into the stigma attached to having an STD. You aren't suddenly a different person, or haven't suddenly lost your power in relationships. You are still you. Just remember that. :)



Oh and this comment:  "none of my friends ever use protection during sex and I'm the one it happens to!!?"

You got herpes now - definitely hsv1, maybe hsv2.

Your friends should know that there are a ton more STDs out there and some that are definitely more harmful than herpes.

It's estimated that 90% of us will get HPV in our lifetimes at least once. Condoms don't fully protect against this, but can significantly reduce the risk. Certain strains cause cervical cancer, and even if you've had the HPV vaccine, that only protects against a small number of them. You can still get HPV, and still get the high risk strains for cancer.

I don't know how old you are exactly, and don't need to know, but it sounds as if you're probably in the 15-24 age group. This group has far and away the highest rates for chlamydia. I'm guessing you're in the US because of the ease in which you are getting the IgG blood tests, so these numbers are for the US. If you aren't in the US, I can get you stats for wherever you are.

In 2018, a total of 1,758,668 chlamydia infections were reported to the CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats18/chlamydia.htm Of those, 1,087,277 were in people ages 15-24. Of those, 779,367 were female. https://www.cdc.gov/std/stats18/tables/10.htm

Untreated and/or repeated chlamydia infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and scarring, causing chronic pain.

So TL;DR - continue to use the condoms even though it seems like it's not fair that you got herpes.

I’m waiting on the blood test results of the IGG today .... I’m just pretty convinced i also have type 2 at this point after all of this. Feeling super depressed
I know. :(

I was thinking about this last night, and had a thought. It's a guess, and I don't know if I'm right or not, but I wonder if one of the swabs you had done picked up the virus from the outbreak - either hsv1 or hsv2, and the other picked up shedding, meaning that you didn't have an outbreak from both types in the exact same place at the exact same time, but that the outbreak triggered shedding of the other type.

The NAAT, as you know, is really sensitive and can pick up shedding better than a regular culture.

Of course, this is assuming you have both types, and that the hsv2 wasn't a false positive or lab error or something.

So what does it mean, to you, if you have both types? Is it different than if someone has HPV and ghsv1? Or oral hsv1 and genital hsv2? What's bugging you about it? We can talk it through if you want. If not, that's okay, too.
Ok well, doctor called today and HSV2 IGG and igm (even though I know y’all don’t like the igm test) were both negative. LATEST possible exposure to ghsv2 was a little over a month ago, could’ve happened longer than a month ago of course tho if I did get exposed to HSV2. So the game plan is to go back in several weeks and get the type2  IGG again to get a final answer. :/ good news for the moment I guess, but of course I will worry about it until I know for sure. Life is hard

The thing for me with ghsv2 is it’s differences from hsv1..always felt like I got luckier with the first type bc it sheds a lot less frequently and results in fewer outbreaks. Just the thought of having not only one but two different types seems like a lot more to emotionally handle for me. I’ve had several break downs already. Also if it ends up being hsv2 I will have SO much regret bc I don’t necessarily have feelings for the person I’ve been having sex with for a year ...just have attraction/fun/fondness.  it will likely never go anywhere so what was the point you know? Not to mention the anxiety that would come with telling him and future people
Also wouldn’t 100% condom use significantly help my case? Everyone writes this off but my most recent outbreak was way up to the front and was like pretty in there and not anywhere near the hole  (had to like pull lips apart to see - sorrrrry gross I’m sorry but idk how else to describe). I’m really careful not to have any genital to genital rubbing/contact, in addition to using condoms during actual intercourse. And I’ve read that guys shed  mostly from the shaft. It also has never been more than  sex maybe once a week or once every other week - so not crazy frequent. Idk this is a mystery to me until I get the second blood test. Conflicting results, but I feel like I’ve done absolutely everything I could to protect myself. Also I know this partner has not been seeing anyone else
No, don't write off the condom use. It helps significantly. It doesn't totally eliminate the risk, but it does lower it greatly. Typically, the first outbreak is at the site of infection - so yours being up near the top (I'm guessing up closer to your clit?) would again lend itself to not being hsv2.

There is truth to ghsv1 shedding less, having fewer outbreaks, and transmitting less. If you do have hsv2, though, having hsv1 already - either orally or genitally - that can help keep it milder in terms of frequency and severity.

How high risk is your partner? Do you know about his sexual history before you?

Your tests being negative now is a start. Unfortunately, you'll just have to wait. Is there a chance of you telling your partner what's going on? If he can take an hsv2 IgG and it's negative, that could go a long way to clearing up your situation if he's been your only partner for the last 4 months at least. You already know that at least as of 4 months ago, you didn't have hsv2.

If he's a decent guy, do you think you could tell him? I get that it's not serious, but maybe he'd help you.

Don't worry about telling future partners right now - just get through this part.



He’s a good guy - he knows actually that I wig out about this stuff and knows that Im “convinced” he has herpes but he thinks I’m like kidding and that it’s my anxiety. :/  he actually got STD tested for me yesterday BUT don’t know whether this includes HSV blood work. I didn’t want to ask without seeming like a crazy person but he said he got tested for like everything possible. Haven’t had sex with him in a month that’s prob what drove him to it...
As for sexual history, I think it has only been me and one other person within the past like year and a half, before that I’m not sure but probably a decent amount of people - hopefully with protection but honestly people are so not conscientious about that stuff so maybe not ...
And there has been one other guy that I have had sex with in the past four months but that was also more than a month ago. Technically it could’ve been him too if exposed but he had a girlfriend for forever, etc, always used condoms with him too, maybe had sex only a handful of times in total. There’s literally no way to know by playing this guessing game I’m so frustrated

Also, I know that IGG levels can become positive as early as 3-6 weeks after exposure in like 50% of people ... should I take this and run with it!? I really want to

Pretty much looking for reassurance at this point since I have to wait several weeks anyways....hoping to wait in peace :(
By 6 weeks, 70% will be positive on the IgG. If your friend is negative, then run with it.

How much longer than a month ago was the other guy?

None of you seem like you have a lot of risk to me, so I'm just as confused as you.

Do you talk to anyone for your anxiety? This is A LOT. Don't hesitate to talk to someone. Does your school have a counseling center? Find out. :)
The other guy was pretty much 5 weeks ago... so around the same time :/
It is a TONNN and is doing terrible things for my already severe anxiety, trying to get in with this therapist for a few weeks now.
Thank you again for all your amazing support! So nice of you to take time out of your day to comfort a complete stranger. I may be back for more questions while I wait......
We'll be here whenever you have questions.

Don't forget to take care of you. Even if it's just taking a few minutes if you're feeling stressed, it helps. And words count - if you find that you're telling yourself that no one will want you, or whatnot, remember that isn't true. Negative self-talk hurts your mental health. You aren't broken, damaged, ruined, or whatever words you may be using even if you do have hsv2. You're strong and wonderful. :)
Every little itch or feeling down there that happens I actually freak out and get major anxiety. Basically living in fear I’m going to have another OB before I can get another IGG blood test in which case my anxiety would go thru the roof. Helppppp I can’t wait for this blood test!!! Would it be worth going back before another month passes?
That's not uncommon with new infections or new symptoms. If you found out you had an allergy to things, you'd probably be worried all the time that you'd be exposing yourself to it.

If you do get another OB, you can get it cultured. Just get it cultured once, though, or you could end up in this situation all over again.

You can test as often as you want, but know there are false positives for hsv2 IgG tests. I'd hate for you to get a false positive and have to work through that as well.
I'm just so in my head and want to fast forward to two months w/o sex so I can test again and feel confident about it (if it's a good result) :(
Also, I've been browsing Terri Warren's forum a bit, and she said on a recent post that "condoms reduce transmission from males to females by 96%" and from females to males by 65%." I've never heard those numbers before but honestly those are good stats for my case....there seems to be a ton of discrepancy about how much condoms help though
Listen, Terri knows her stuff. I would trust her with my sexual health every day. She knows about studies before they are released to the public.

I know it's not easy to set things aside and not worry about them. I'm not any good at it myself, and it's really easy for me to tell you not to worry, but I'm sure I would be, too, just because of the unknown.

So maybe spend this time figuring out what you'll do if it is positive for hsv2? Prepare for it, just in case? If you don't have it, great, but figuring out how you'll cope with it if you do isn't going to hurt you.

Can u think of any other blaring reasons I should feel reassured?? ;( going over when the doctor swabbed me both times and I’m worried it could have accurately picked up both - as in it’s possible u can have an OB of both. And ya I’m kind of already preparing myself

I just really hope I’m not this unlucky ... after being SO safe
So tempted to go back and get another IGG. This week marks about six weeks since latest possible exposure ....
Reasons you should feel reassured:

I've never heard of anyone having an outbreak in the same spot that has both hsv1 and hsv2. While I'm sure that could be theoretically possible, it seems unlikely.

You have been so careful. While we know there is no such thing as 100% safe sex, you're not really high risk, nor are your partners.

I don't want to give you false hope and then have you crushed if it comes back that you do have both, but I don't want you devastated while you wait for results that could prove you don't have it, either.
Thank you!! I’m like addicted to reassurance it’s unhealthy I need to be babied about this stuff lol. Also, update that the person I’ve been with got std tested and he’s clean of everything but of course did not get hsv2 IGG because it’s not routine and I didn’t ask him to, because I would have come across as too nutty (he’s not my bf or anything - so still gotta reel it in etc). Wat do I do in the meantime aghhhhhh  I don’t want to let him know this happened in case it’s nothing to worry about but I wish he would get a test. And he’s gonna be confused when I still won’t sleep with him after I made him get tested and he came out clean. This is the worst I can’t wait any longer but don’t want to run and get igg’s every week cuz that’s stressful and unnecessary and gets in the way of life
Can you just tell him one of your friend's friends found out she has herpes and now you want to make sure you don't have it, or he doesn't have it? Or make it a friend's cousin's friend's sister or something lol.

You might seem a little neurotic, but that's better than waiting for months, isn't it? I think it would be for me. :)

Yeah I’m working on him
Do men shed from their pubic region often like around the penis? Trying to think about how likely it was that I contracted something from protected sex, especially when my OB was way up towards the front of my vagina and not near where penetration actually happens
I just want to knowwww the verdict ;( also i know people don’t like igm but it’s good that it was negative both during and after Ob right?? Like better than it being positive idk if the test stills exists there has to be at least a chance of accuracy  
Shedding only happens from mucous membranes - the thin, "pink" skin (I hate that term because it doesn't account for the different shades we all come in, but people seem to know what it means) - the penis, the anus, the perineum.

Yes, it's good that it was negative and not positive. :) Negative is always better.

I'm still not sure of anything with your situation. You are at low risk, and your testing is confusing.

Try to hand in there!
This is what Terri said, if you're interested...I finally caved and did the $20

"Now that IS a mystery, for sure. And I’m not sure how to guide you on that except to say that 12 weeks from the outbreak, I want you to get a herpes western blot to see if you truly have HSV 2. So that would be some time in May. Prior to that, you could do another IgG at about 8 weeks out and see what shows up. My wild guess is that the swab test was mistyped. Did you report this discrepancy to the provider who did the swab test? They can often go back and re-do the testing if they still have the sample. Probably too late for that now.

It is possible to have both types in the genital area, yes, but two swabs from the same outbreaks with different types identified seems to me that something is wrong there. Plus your sexual history just doesn’t suggest that.

Terri"

UGHHHH I'm dying. I need so much help with anxiety I can't wait until May. I just want them to tell me I don't have a new type
Well, I'm glad that Terri is just as confused as I am, but that's a selfish thought, and does nothing to help you.

I think in the meantime, if you can get both of your partners to get an hsv2 test, that would help. I know that's tricky, and with covid19 everywhere, it may be harder to get into a doctor now.

One thing you could say is that you had some STD testing, and that you had a really low positive on hsv2, and your doctors think it's a false positive. (This is really a thing - https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes-detailed.htm and https://westoverheights.com/herpes/the-updated-herpes-handbook/ pg 13 - this is Terri's herpes handbook, it's free.) If you get a false positive, it can take weeks to unravel, and just like you now, asking your partners to test can help unravel it.

If your partners can be discreet, and won't share this with their buddies, or can be trusted to ask their doctors for the correct test - a type specific IgG blood test - this may help.

It's up to you.

I feel for you. There's enough going on in the world right now, and you have this added to it. Is your college closed? Are you back home, wherever that is?

Hang in there!
Ok - mini update that the one (of two) sexual partners who has been on and off for the past *year* but was my most frequent sexual partner hands down tested negative for HSV 2 IGG today. The person sent me the test results, definitely good news. The only other person left who could have possibly given it to me is this other guy who I have had sex with definitely less than 10 times (I think I explained all this before), who I ALWAYS used condoms with, and who had a girlfriend for about 2 years. I don't know his sexual history other than that, but he is definitely a good guy? if that means anything...

So, the question is, do I get a follow up IGG? Tomorrow would mark 7 weeks since *latest* possible exposure. Haven't had sex since then. Remember that I had negative IGG bloodwork 3 weeks ago. Or is it not worth it because of the mess that is COVID19? I'm hesitant to go into a medical facility AKA am trying to weigh how much I should be reassured by my main sexual partner's negative blood work. but also, am still having a lot of anxiety that my HSV IGG will turn out positive even after all this, which is why getting another IGG is tempting at the moment :(

thank you as always for your responses.....
Ok, that's awesome news about guy #1. That must be a relief.

Guy #2 - You've always used condoms, were only together a handful of times, and doesn't seem to have a varied past that you know of.

So should you test? I can't answer that for you. Are you in a high covid area? Keep in mind that to draw blood, a person will have to get close to you - someone who has been close to others. For me, a herpes test wouldn't be worth that right now, but I'm not you.

I'm in a high covid area, so my answer might be different than yours. I'm also high risk, so that changes things for me. You have to answer that for yourself.

If you can wait 5 weeks, and take a WB, you'll have a better answer.
How do you get the western blot even? I’ve never heard any doctor  talk about it - only seen stuff about it online in forums like these. The IGG is really reliable right?

Yeah I’m struggling with it because I might honestly rather get it done this week before COVID19 gets really bad and before I’m REALLY stuck in the house.. Would u say that at this point it was very likely that swab 2 (type2) was a lab error and not a new infection? Fishing for reassurance here ... as always....

I wish I could put a number on it...like the chances That I actually have it when u factor in condom use, number of sexual acts with guy #2, IGG results of guy #1, my latest Hsv 2 IGG results, chances of someone having both types genitally, results of swab #1, etc, I could go on and on.....  everything is getting so scrambled in my head and guy #1’s test results almost become not reassuring. ;(
Also, I’m doing the IGG follow up at 7 weeks (today) cuz I can’t wait and my doctor wanted to do just do IGM at first....why? I had to like ask him to include IGG for type 2 ... maybe he got confused? I’m now confused
Your doctor can order the WB, or you can do it through Terri Warren, though you'll have to self-pay.

I'm not surprised your doctor got them confused. Doctors kinda suck with herpes testing. I'm glad you knew, though. When the results come in, make sure it's an IgG, not an IgM, or it won't have told you anything. If you have a copy of the order, make sure it says IgG.

We don't have odds of getting both types genitally, and we certainly don't have odds of having an outbreak in the same spot at the same time of both types.

We do know transmission stats though, for ghsv2:

The transmission rates for hsv2, male to female, over the course of a year, assuming sex 2-3 times a week:

Only avoiding sex during an outbreak - 8-10%

Adding condoms OR daily suppression - 4-5%

Adding condoms AND daily suppression - 2-3%

So since you were using condoms, if you were having sex 2-3x a week with guy #2, you'd have a 95-96% chance of not getting each year. My math skills aren't that good, but maybe you can figure the odds out for what your odds are based on how much sex you had.

It's pretty low, though.

Hang in there, and let me know what your results are.

I want to say I had sex with guy #2 about 8 times overall, so not very many times. And of course, this goes w/o saying for me, I used condoms. Frustratingly still waiting on my blood work results from this past week ::( I didn't get it done at my doctor's office since they're obviously trying to limit the number of people going there which probably changed the timeline/I wonder if labs are backed up with prioritizing COVID stuff. either way, hopefully I hear on Monday! I know what test result would technically make the most sense with my sexual history, but I'm still very very nervous because I feel like I'm cursed and obviously anything is possible and of course the positive swab a few weeks ago is still on my mind
How did you get it done?

I'm sure it's stressful, along with everything else going on in the world. Try to hang in there, socially distance, and let me know when your results come in.
Got it done at lab location that my insurance covers instead of doctors office because of COVID.

I just got the call from my doctor - HSV2 IGG bloodwork was negative (54 days out from latest possible exposure) since it was done last tues. IGM was also negative. HSV 1 IGG was obviously positive, but we knew I had that.

Should I feel super relieved !? I literally don’t even feel anything even though most people would feel in the clear.  I’m such an anxious mess it’s terrible. Do we finally think it’s safe to say that swab 2 was a mistype? Based on the fact that my main sexual partner is Hsv 2 neg, condom use, latest serology, etc? Like I said the only other person who could’ve given it  to me I had sex with only a handful of times and he had a long time GF for a while. Idk I would love to know ur opinion summing ALLLL this up. What a mess right
I think it's a really, really good sign. I don't think we can say it's conclusive yet.

If it were 90 days, or preferably 4 months, I'd say it was conclusive.

I can't tell you it's conclusive and then later you find out it wasn't, you know? But I think it's looking really good. :)
Now I feel bad again :( I thought 70% of people are positive for IGG antibodies by 4-6 weeks? And that I should run with it if guy #1 is negative? I mean one of the swabs had to be wrong , right? :(
They are, but it's 70%, and we don't know if you are in the 70% or the 30%, and people with hsv1 can sometimes take a little longer.

If you didn't have the culture saying hsv2, I'd probably be saying something different, but I just don't want to steer you in the wrong direction.

Please don't feel bad. Chances of you getting it from guy #2 are very low, but we don't know if he's negative, right? Am I missing something?

Since you had the positive culture, I just want you to be 100% definitive, and I don't want to give you false hope.
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