Herpes

[Ridinghigh7114]

I was diagnosed in June 2014 with genital herpes.  I had pain in my vaginal area after two days of having unprotected oral sex BUT PROTECTED vaginal sex. Went to the  doctor, he  took one look and said it was herpes.  I started crying uncontrollably and he took a few swabs, gave me a Valtrex Rx.within two days the pain was gone. On the fourth day, doctor follow up and he told me the cultures were negative and referred me to a blood test that I did not take because I trust him and the medicine was clearing up the lesions.  I have been free of outbreaks but get a tingling sensation around my mouth but bumps are real fine and does not contain fluids or puss. After so much reading, I learned that the medication causes these side effects and it could also be shedding.  Now I feel like I should take the blood test to be 100% sure. But is a blood test 100% proof?

I am going crazy and I am afraid. My partner said he does not have herpes and I don't remember seeing a cold sore on his lips.  He remains supportive, but I am afraid to have sex again because of this shedding or Valtrex side effect. Any advice would help.

[Fleetwood20]

Yes you must ask for a blood test for IgG antibodies type specific for HSV1 and HSV2. No other test is appropriate.

Any value less than 3.5 for HSV2 falls into a possible false positive range and would require an additional form of test to confirm (or deny for that matter) an infection. Let's see how things go for you before considering best next steps, if any.

[Ridinghigh7114]

Agreed. Will let you know Thursday. Fingers crossed. But wait, if results state HSV2 but less than 3.5 then what. And am I asking for a specific blood test?

[Fleetwood20]

Visual diagnosis is not that accurate. A number of things appear similar to herpes.

A clear positive result, being over 3.5, will indicate an infection. If positive for HSV1, then this will not be conclusively a genital infection. Let's see how the results go.

[Ridinghigh7114]

I was diagnosed with genital herpes. Are you saying no diagnosis because the culture swab from my vagina came back negative? I plan to take the blood test Thursday. But I am reading a lot about numbers between 1-5. What does this number indicate? Thanks for getting back to me with a response.

[Fleetwood20]

I would suggest obtaining a blood test. You have no diagnosis of herpes. Hence you should not be taking Valtrex unnecessarily. Knowing the type should you have genital herpes is also important. Generally, HSV1 will cause significantly fewer problems for you and be of low infectiousness. Odds are your partner will have HSV1 already thus there would be no additional practical risk for them.