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infection site
I recently had an Igg test come back positive for hsv2 however my only symptoms have been recurring rashes on the edge of my top lip. Can the site of the hsv2 be oral instead of genital (where I've had no symptoms)?
since hsv2 sheds far more genitally than orally, assuming you have it genitally is not a bad assumption at all.
I'm having a hard time adjusting and not knowing for absolutely sure where the infection site is makes me feel even more alone. My doctor told me that where-ever it is, I've had it for some time already so there is low risk of transmission at this point due to not having a breakout, even without using antivirals. Still, I personally don't want to pose any risk to a partner.
I would get a PCR but I don't have any symptoms. One doctor told me my lip rash was not significant enough to detect anything with PCR. Maybe I'll try seeing another doctor.
You can get the risk to a female partner down to 2-3%/year on average. That's only a little higher than the risk of pregnancy while on the pill with ideal useage ( 1%/year ) and far lower than real use risk of pregnancy while on the pill ( 8% /year ). You can control herpes with a pill or two a day, you can't control a child for a lifetime that easily.
igg testing for herpes is not a relatively new test at all. the WB for herpes has been used for over 25 years now too. herpeselect has been out for over 10 now at least.
Give yourself time to adjust to the idea of having herpes. doing that is far more difficult for some folks than actually living with the virus is.
grace
igg testing for herpes is not a relatively new test at all. the WB for herpes has been used for over 25 years now too. herpeselect has been out for over 10 now at least.
Give yourself time to adjust to the idea of having herpes. doing that is far more difficult for some folks than actually living with the virus is.
grace
No, I don't have a partner right now but had a prospect which I now will have to give up. I don't think I can ever bring myself to place anyone at risk, however minimal. Only hope now is maybe a vaccine. I guess I should be glad that I'm asymptomatic but it's like living with an invisible monster. I can't help but wonder about the Igg since it is a relatively new test. I'm making major changes to my life's plans based on a number printed out on a sheet of paper.
oral hsv2 on average doesn't reoccur in a lifetime, not every 10 years on average.
it's good that you insisted on the blood test! You can't protect a partner if you don't know your status. ignorance is not bliss when it comes to herpes - especially if you and/or your partner are of child bearing age and want to have a family at some point. assume your hsv2 is genital because even if you are the extreme exception to the rule and not only have hsv2 orally but have it reoccurring regularly, most folks who have it orally, also have it genitally.
You can culture anything for herpes. You would need a pcr swab on the lip rashes but honestly they don't sound at all like oral herpes so I wouldn't bother.
do you have a regular partner?
grace
it's good that you insisted on the blood test! You can't protect a partner if you don't know your status. ignorance is not bliss when it comes to herpes - especially if you and/or your partner are of child bearing age and want to have a family at some point. assume your hsv2 is genital because even if you are the extreme exception to the rule and not only have hsv2 orally but have it reoccurring regularly, most folks who have it orally, also have it genitally.
You can culture anything for herpes. You would need a pcr swab on the lip rashes but honestly they don't sound at all like oral herpes so I wouldn't bother.
do you have a regular partner?
grace
Yes, I requested a blood test as part of a routine screening. I had some expectation of having hsv1 because of my recurring lip rash. However, I came in negative for hsv1 and Igg >5.00 for hsv2 meaning I had a longstanding immune response. However minimal the chances, I feel that it may be oral hsv2. I want to partner only with hsv2+ people but now I'm afraid that if it was only oral, am I unnecessarily exposing myself genitally? It's terrible that there cannot be more definitive testing. My lip rashes are not significant and can't be cultured. Perhaps I shouldn't have insisted on this blood test like my doctors recommended in the first place.
Almost certainly your HSV2 infection would be genital. Only 3% of all oral herpes infections are HSV2, and it rarely if ever recurs.
How were you diagnosed, by blood test? If so, best if you can get the numeric results of your test and post them here.
Otherwise, to know what's going on with your lip, you'd need to be seen as soon as you're symptomatic for a proper diagnosis.
How were you diagnosed, by blood test? If so, best if you can get the numeric results of your test and post them here.
Otherwise, to know what's going on with your lip, you'd need to be seen as soon as you're symptomatic for a proper diagnosis.
It is possible to have oral hsv2 though very rare. When contracted orally breakouts are rare and mild. Typically an outbreak will on average occur once every 10 years i have seen stated.
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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.
