I had a classic genital herpes outbreak and tested positive for hsv2 through viral culture (culture taken 6/1). I subsequently had a blood test completed (blood drawn 6/5) and it was deemed negative for hsv1 and hsv2. The results I was able to view said the IgG levels for each were <.9. I have called my health provider to ask questions, but she and most other providers I have spoken with lack a detailed understanding of the testing process.
Based on my own research a negative hsv2 test result with a positive culture (and classic symptoms) would support the theory that this is a new infection. However, my partner has had no symptoms and he also just received a negative blood test result (blood drawn 6/5). We are newly intimate (<6 weeks) and I did have a possible exposure by another partner exactly 3 months prior to my blood being drawn for testing. I have not had any other possible exposures in the past year.
My questions are as follows:
1. Is it possible that even after 3 months of exposure to hsv2 I have not developed immunity to the virus? How likely is that given that I am female and 36 years of age and otherwise healthy. This (person) seems like the most likely source of infection, but through my reading outbreaks generally occur within 2 weeks of infection if they are going to occur.
2. Is it possible that I was infected years ago and never had any symptoms... and that any immunity I had has worn off and I am now, for the first time, experiencing a classic outbreak? I have been under more stress the last two years (and the last two months) than I have in my entire life. Also, I felt like before the attack I may have been experiencing prodrome. There was some irritation I attributed to shaving. I went on a beach trip and then drank more than I should have on my birthday, which I now understand are known triggers. The outbreak took off the next day. In retrospect, I do remember having some itching in the past that I attributed to soap causing irritation. It would last a week or so and then go away. I also remember having similar irritation to what preceded this attack about a decade ago. It went away and I attributed it to irritation due to shaving.
I know that most people would advise that it is too difficult to determine where an infection was obtained and not overly productive. It matters to me, though. And, on a more practical level, I fear if this is a new infection (as opposed to an old one) I will be in store for some many more this year. I know they are supposed to be less severe subsequently, but even so, this outbreak was difficult to manage physically. I have already opted to take suppressive therapy, but how effective that will be is unknown. I have more hope that if this is an old infection my body will regain its ability to keep it in check.