HSV 2

Hi,
I was recently diagnosed with HSV II through an Elisa antibody  blood test. I was screened for other STD's as well, but this is the only one that came back positive.  
I am a healthy individual and asymptomatic. I went to counseling for this and my counselor talked with a couple of her nurse friends. The nurses stated that for HSV II, the virus can only be activated if I have sex with someone who is also high in the virus. Otherwise, it remains dormant. Do you have some information about this?
I'm concerned because, since I'm asymptomatic, I don't want to have to tell a potential sex partner and freak her out if the virus is just going to stay dormant in my body. I'm concerned because HSV II only affects my sex life, thankfully.
The blood test also stated a 3.5 for the result. Anything under .90 was negative. Does 3.5 represent the number of antibodies in my blood? Thank you so much for your help.  

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The statement that HSV2 can be activated by sex with someone "high in the virus" is not correct.  If myou bhave active herpes, the virus reactivates from fever, stress, or nothing at all.  But nothing you've said suggests you have active herpes.

Antibodies just mean that you had exposure to the virus at some time in your life.  Since you're male, if you had an episode of actual genital herpes, you would have seen blisters on your penis, which would have hung around for 7-10 days, and probably recurred from time to time.  The level of antibody is unimportant--any level above baseline suggests exposure.

Basically, having antibodies with no actual herpes outbreaks means nothing at all.  You might want to have the test repeated--the levels are sometimes unreliable.  But either way there's nothing you have to do.  

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[giraffe7983]

Thank you so much for your help.

[TakeFive]

I have about four red spots on my penis.Three on the underside and one on top just under the head.What is going on? When I examine it they start to slightly burn.