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Avatar universal

Possible HSV 2 transmission first day in marriage!!

I got married last week and my wife got tested for everything,however the results were not ready on time. It was our first time together as we don't have sex outside marriage for religious purposes(we are middle eastern). Anyway, I used a latex condom and we had vaginal intercourse TWICE and lots of KY gel.I also received oral & we did mutual masturbation.I did not do oral on her. I wanted her to get tested coz her exhusband was not faithful,he went to strip clubs and was an alcoholic.She has only been with him, married for 5 years. The test result came back -ve for everything except HSV 1 and 2 were +ve.The test was IGg AB and there was no numerical value. It is an ELISA. my understanding,this test will show +VE whether it is HSV 1 or 2 and it doesn't differentiate (it says:This assay may not accurately distinguish between antibody to HSV 1 and 2, recommend glycoprotein testing when clinically indicated).In other words, it was not one separate test for each virus but rather a test for both at the same time. She doesn't recall ever having an outbreak.She went to see her doctor who told her the test could show positive even if she doesnt have hsv 2 but has hsv 1,she then ordered a PCR. I started feeling tingling in my leg and some tingling/itching in my left testicle,at the base of the penis and left groin (areas not covered by the condom),& diarrhea,all this was after 24 to 36 hours of the intercourse. I used an electrical shaver to shave my pubic hair, testicles,etc. so the skin was irritated Be4 intercourse.I used a tingling cream so the intercourse lasted for a very long time,so there was so much friction and I am sure when she was on top of me,my skin was exposed to some of her secretions (base of penis, testicles and inner thighs).I took a shower right after.I also had a small cuticle cut on one finger that I used in her genital area.
1- What are the odds of me contracting HSV 2 if she was positive?
2- What are the chances of her being HSV 2 positive?

16 Responses
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300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are over reacting (again). This will be my final answer. Further anxiety-driven, totally unwarranted questions will be deleted without comment.

You do not know that her prior husband had herpes- he probably did not, most people do not, even most people with many sex partners.  Further, in the absence of a history of lesions and with a negative gG based test, there is no reasonable reason to worry further that your wife might have HSV.  Please realize that blood testing for herpes in situations such as the one you described is NOT RECOMMENDED!!!!!.  You did it, first with a poor, inaccurate test, now with the best sort of test that is available.  Believe the test result for the gG based test.

I have to say, I have found this entire thread troublesome and indicative of totally inappropriate and ill-informed understanding of the FACT that genital herpes is a MINOR health care problem for nearly everyone who gets it.   You (and my sense is that this is your problem, not your wife's) need to put these unwarranted concerns aside and move forward without concern.

Further questions and comments will be deleted without comment. EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have a correction to my previous response. I just read the actual test results and it is a (glycoprotein test) it doesn't say herpeselect, and it says" 5-10 % of infections may occur with glycoprotein- G- deficient virus. Detection of antibody presence in these cases may only be possible using a screening test".
I am not trying to over-analyze it doctor but that is what it says in the results. so what test will confirm for sure since it looks like there is a 5-10% chance it is a false -ve?? the POC test?
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
She does not need a Western Blot.  She does not have HSV 2.

This will complete this thread.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello again Doc, the herpselect came negative for HSV 2 and positive for HSV1, is this good enough or does she need a WB or some other test to confirm that she doesn't have HSV 2 ?
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If she were infected, it would not be her fault- as you know.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
she called the Dr's office and they are going to do the herpselect test. To answer your question she said that if she turns out to be positive and I turn out to be negative she no longer wants to be married because she cannot live with the guilt!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
She called the doctors office and they will do the herpselect. To answer ur question, she said if she is positive and I am negative she doesnt want to be married no more coz she cant live with the guilt!
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A test for HSV antibodies which tests for gG antibodies for HSV would be better and more helpful than a PCR.

Can you tell my why it matters so much to you?  You married her?  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well, in the mean time they already drew blood for a PCR and the doctor gave her the option of doing a glycoprotein" test. She can call the doctor and have them do the glycoprotein test instead of the PCR, would that work better?
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I would recommend you seek a doctor who is more knowledgable about HSV infections.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The doctor told her that this is the most sensitive test and will tell you for sure if you have HSV 2 or not, they took a blood sample from her. I am confused now because you said she has to have lesions to get a PCR test!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks doc. She has no outbreak, so this PCR could show negative and she could still be positive? why did the family doctor order it then?
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I said you are over reacting.  In science one can never say never as something could always happen for the first time tomorrow.  There is little change that you got herpes just as there is little chance that you will be struck by lightning.

If she doesn't have sores or lesions (you did not mention any) the PCR is a waste of time.

See above,  nothing in life is 100%.  

Try to control your anxiety and inappropriate concerns.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you doctor for your response,
1-so you are saying there is a chance I could have contracted it if she was indeed positive? You said I had "little chance"!

2- Also, is the PCR test she just got today better than the western blot?

3- If she is +ve indeed and I am -ve, is there 100% guarantee that I won't get it from here if I use condoms and she takes medicine?
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum.  There is little chance that you have acquired HSV and for that matter, the chance is low that your wife has HSV-2.  Apparently she has never had an outbreak and as you point out, she was tested with the sort of virtually worthless test that misleads persons with great regularity.  Getting tested withtests of this sort is worse than not testing at all,  I will not guess what her status is but I would urge you to ignore her test results.  Rather, I would suggest that she get tested with a gG specific serological test for HSV such as the HerpeSelect or have a western Blot test performed at the University of Washington (her doctor can send the specimen there- instruction are on their web site).

As for your lesions, these sound nothing like HSV.  Your symptoms started long before the symptoms of HSV occur in new infections.  Typically initial outbreaks of herpes start no sooner than 4 days after exposure. Further, when lesions occur they tend to be more localized than what you describe and typically evolve through a series of stages, starting with small blisters and then evolving to become shallow ulcers.

Bottom line, I think you are over reacting, both about your wife's blood test and about the lesions you describe which are far more likely to be due to some combination of shaving, use of the cream you describe and prolonged intercourse.  EWH
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Avatar universal
I also wanted to share that my test results were negative for everything, escept HSV 1 which I know most people get as kids.
Helpful - 0

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