Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Herpes Virus Antibodies

Hello,

First I want to thank you for the great job you and your crew are doing.  I hope you can help me out with the concern I have.  Do you happen to know how long it takes the antibodies for genital herpes virus (HSV 2) to form since the moment you have been exposed to the virus?  I think I have been exposed to the virus, although my boyfriend did not admit that he has the virus.  The reason why I suspect this is that after we fooled around without him wearing a condom (we did not have intercourse), I found him taking Valtrex.  He said he was taking it for oral herpes.  I know Valtrex is most commonly prescribed for genital herpes, not oral herpes.  Do you have any info on this?
Anyway, I would like to get tested for HSV 2 (I already have HSV 1 since I was a child), but I would not like the test to come back false negative just because the antibodies did not have enough time to form.  I did some research and came across various time periods.  I have also checked out the cdc website, but there is no info on this, just the incubation period.  I have also learned that the probability for someone already carrying HSV 1 to catch HSV 2 is smaller than someone carrying neither HSV1 nor HSV 2.  I just keep my fingers crossed.  Do you know anything about this?
If you could please provide me with the information, I would really appreciate it.  Thank you so much.

Keep up the good work!
M

10 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Thank you, Grace and Aj for your advice.
Helpful - 0
101028 tn?1419603004
Just an fyi - most providers will not prescribe valtrex exactly the way it says in the pdr - especially for oral herpes. they typically give them a month's worth of medication "officially" and then tell them in the office how to take it when they have cold sores. That way you get the most out of your insurance for the cheapest price!

He can call his doc monday and ask them to read his herpes igg blood test to him over the phone with you listening in :)

grace
Helpful - 0
207091 tn?1337709493
COMMUNITY LEADER
He would not or could not find them?  He can always call his doctor and ask for a copy if it was a "could not".

His dose is closer to the oral herpes dose, but you are right - doesn't match it.

Aj
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Grace:

Thank you for your comment.  I am worried more about my health, not my relationship.  I did ask him to show me the test results (that he said he has done recently - for herpes and HIV he did due to his weak immmune system!), but he said he would not find them!  So breaking up with him is the smartest step I will take.  I thought that I could have some info based on the Valtrex dose he is on, so I could put my mind at rest a little until I get to get tested for HSV 2.  I have checked out the PDR health website and the doses for both oral and genital herpes do not match with the dose he told me, although it is closer to the one for oral herpes (4 g on the first day).  If you have any info on this, I would appreciate your response.  Thank you, M
Helpful - 0
101028 tn?1419603004
most studies show that hsv1 doesn't offer any protection against hsv2.   Mostly what it does is keep you from getting a "classic" initial ob if you do contract hsv2 later on.    There is study that was discussed at an international herpes conference last year but hasn't been published yet that supposedly showed that it did offer *some* protection but since it's not been published I don't really know the details behind it to comment more ( I wasn't at the conference ). As I said though most studies show that it doesn't which is also reflected in that the highest rates of hsv2 infection occur in the same groups that also have the highest rates of hsv1 infection.

grace
Helpful - 0
207091 tn?1337709493
COMMUNITY LEADER
Radian -

Its not a strong enough protection to rely on.  

AJ
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You have any links to the HSV 1 providing protection to HSV 2 infection?

That's a fascinating idea i hadn't thought of.
Helpful - 0
101028 tn?1419603004
You have 2 choices here - believe what he says and stop worrying that he's lying to you or believe that he is lying to you and leave the relationship.  If you are currently stuck somewhere halfway in between - why not ask him to go get tested and show you his hsv2 igg results as proof.  You could both go together to get this done and then share your results with each other so you can both see with your own 2 eyes who has what.



grace
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Aj,

Thank you so much for your prompt response and helpful info.  I think I will wait a couple of months until I get tested since it has been just two weeks since the potential exposure to HSV 2.

Here is the Vatrex dose my boyfriend he is/has been on:

-he was prescribed 30 pills, 500 mg each
-took 4 pills twice a day (8 pills per day) for the first couple of days (he said 2 or 3 days, does not remember exactly) - he said this is for treatment of oral herpes
-then took 1 pill/day for suppression.

He said that he had already had cold sores when he first saw the doctor for prescription and others were about to show up (he realized it from the tingling sensation).

If you could please let me know your opinion on the reason why he takes Valtrex (oral or genital herpes) based on the dose above, I would greatly appreciate it.  Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question.
M

Helpful - 0
207091 tn?1337709493
COMMUNITY LEADER
He might be taking the valtrex for oral herpes, but if you know what dose he's on, that could tell you what he's taking it for.

Since you have hsv1 already, it could take up to around 6 months for you to develop antibodies, if you were exposed.  Many will much sooner, but hsv1 can delay it some.

There might be some protection against getting hsv2 after hsv1, but if there is, its not a lot.  It would keep an hsv2 infection mild, most likely.

Aj
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the STDs / STIs Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
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.