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STDs (Expert Forum)
2nd Opinion
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
2nd Opinion
by 2ndopinion, Apr 03, 2006 12:00AM
Four years ago (May, 2002) I was diagnosed with HSV-2. At the time of diagnosis I didn’t have any real symptoms other than what looked like a very small sore. The doc didn’t even think I needed to be tested but I a requested it anyway. As it turned out the result was positive. Since then I have not had any symptoms, or at least none noticeable to me. I know that one can go for years without symptoms but this seemed a little odd to me so I recently returned to my lab report. I was tested with the ELISA IGG assay for type 1 and type 2 and Quest Diagnostics was the laboratory used. My EIA value of type 1 was 0.13 and value for type 2 was >5.00. According to the lab printout, I was negative for type 1 (since it was < .90) and was positive for type 2 (since it was > 1.10). I had accepted the doc’s diagnosis but since I never received a second opinion on this I would love your opinion on a couple of issues:
1) How reliable is this test and is it pretty certain that I have type 2 given such a high EIA value? The doc at the time said it was very reliable and that he was pretty sure I had it based on the results.
2) Would you recommend I get tested again to confirm given my 4 years of no symptoms? Or should I just chalk it up as having type 2 and being lucky that I have had no noticeable breakouts?
3) If I do have it, and by chance I was to transmit herpes to a partner, would their symptoms most likely be as mild?
Thank you very much for your help with this.
1) How reliable is this test and is it pretty certain that I have type 2 given such a high EIA value? The doc at the time said it was very reliable and that he was pretty sure I had it based on the results.
2) Would you recommend I get tested again to confirm given my 4 years of no symptoms? Or should I just chalk it up as having type 2 and being lucky that I have had no noticeable breakouts?
3) If I do have it, and by chance I was to transmit herpes to a partner, would their symptoms most likely be as mild?
Thank you very much for your help with this.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Apr 03, 2006 12:00AM
, Apr 03, 2006 12:00AM
I'll go straight to your questions. You also have had an accurate and useful response from gracefromhpp, below.
1 and 2) That test result is 100% reliable. You definitely are infected with HSV-2 and there is no point in repeat testing.
2) The odds you will transmit may be small or large; it is impossible to predict for any particular person. See my reply to biggestfool in the thread immediately before yours. Over time, the frequency of both symptomatic recurrences and subclinical shedding decline, but probably never to zero. But if you do transmit to a partner, there is essentially no relationship between the severity of that person's symptoms and your lack of symptomatic outbreaks. Most people would agree you have an ethical obligation to discuss the possibility of HSV transmission with any and all sex partners.
Perhaps not what you were hoping to hear--but there it is. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
1 and 2) That test result is 100% reliable. You definitely are infected with HSV-2 and there is no point in repeat testing.
2) The odds you will transmit may be small or large; it is impossible to predict for any particular person. See my reply to biggestfool in the thread immediately before yours. Over time, the frequency of both symptomatic recurrences and subclinical shedding decline, but probably never to zero. But if you do transmit to a partner, there is essentially no relationship between the severity of that person's symptoms and your lack of symptomatic outbreaks. Most people would agree you have an ethical obligation to discuss the possibility of HSV transmission with any and all sex partners.
Perhaps not what you were hoping to hear--but there it is. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Even though you aren't noticing obvious symptoms of ob's you are still actively shedding the virus as much as someone who gets the average number of ob's - 4 to 6 a year does. Keep that in mind if you are in a discordant relationship and your partner doesn't have hsv2. Oh and be glad you aren't having frequent ob's!!! Trade you anyday!!
There is no way to predict how herpes would present in a partner should they contract it - it's different for everyone.
If you haven't already be sure to check out the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com - it's a terrific resource to learn about herpes, treatments and how to reduce transmission to a partner. It's also quite useful to give to a potential partner so that they too can learn more about herpes.
grace
Thanks again.