Questions on contracting Herpes2-Genital herpes

[mytruck_82]

I have a herpes question.  I am dating someone who has genital herpes. No sex yet. Is it possible to have a totally safe sexual relationship with someone with genital herpes? I know that is very contagious during outbreaks, and to avoid contact. But I keep reading about these 'shedding'  issues, where the virus invisably lies on top of the skin, where contraction is possible. What is the percentage probability of contracting genital herpes during non outbreak periods? I know condoms are not fool proof.  I had a genital herpes test myself and got what my doctor said he thought was a false positive since I have never had an outbreak. If I remember right the titres were like one over the limit for a positive result. So I do have antibodies for genital herpes.  Does that mean she cannot hurt me?  Do titres accumulate with each contact until you start getting outbreaks?  I know I have many antibodies for herpes simplex I, as I have been fighting fever blisters my whole life.  We are trying to make a decision on whether to continue our 'dating' relationship. We cannot go much furthur without someone getting hurt emotionally.  Please answer my questions. Thank you.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You can catch herpes between outbreaks.  The number of virus particles is less than during an outbreak, but there is a low level of shedding that can spread the herpes.  The risk for each sexual encounter may be low, but the risk increases with the number of such encounters.  Condoms help, but are not foolproof, as you note.

If the herpes test you had was a type-specific test with good reliability, then you can't just assume your results were a "false-positive," because you may have the virus without recalling a specific outbreak.  If there's doubt about this, you should repeat your test.  If another reliable test shows that you're positive for herpes 2, then you need to tell that to prospective partners, wear a condom, etc.

If you are positive, then you needn't fear contracting it from the woman you're talking about, since you can't catch it twice....

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[sparkeler]

If you had a herpes select igg test that was above 1.0 for herpes2 (genital) than you are infected with genital herpes.  You may be asymptomatic (no noticable outbreaks),and will not be able to be reinfected again with the same virus.  If you are infected with herpes 2 you don't need to worry about her infecting you again.  But make sure you know what test was done and if not re take another herpes select to know for sure if you have it.  If you don't have it I think there's a 2-3% chance of transmission per year with partners who are unsafe (not on suppressive therapy, no condom) where one partner is infected and the other is not.  It's wise to always where condoms.  But if you guys are going to maintain a mutual monogomous relationship and u dont want to get infected then talk to her about going on suppressive therapy. It's always touchy, but i think u will come to find its not that big of a deal in the long run.  Just be smart.

[mytruck_82]

Ok more information.   Two years ago I  tested.  igg/im 1.20, where I was told 1.1 means positive.  ign/ab was negative. My doctor said it was a false positive.  Type 2 not detected was in his notes. I have never had an outbreak.  So, if Dr Rockoff agrees that I am negative and the girl I am dating is positive and on suppressive medicine, Valtrex I assume and we use condoms, what is the probability that I become positive? Any opinions as to common sense? I guess oral sex is out? Also two weeks ago, I had my finger in her vagina, b4 I knew anything about this. Most likely she was not having an outbreak, but I play golf alot and my fingers are heavily calloused and break open. My understanding is that it would take 30 days for the type 2 test to become positive??  My next appointment is October 10. If I take the test again, and am negative I am sure to be negative? Right? Thank you for any input.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You need another test, but it sounds as though your prior test was borderline, so you may well be negative.

Dr. Rockoff

[sparkeler]

Genital to hand to genital transmission is not a concern.  If you retake a test and it is negative then YES you don't have genital herpes and the liklihood of you getting it is almost non existant, if she's on suppressive therapy combined w/condom use.  I'm pretty sure you can still have oral sex.  I would much rather get a blister on my mouth.  If you happen to get herpes 2 orally, then you most likely won't be able to be reinfected with it again. Even on the genitals.  Put don't go purposely infecting yourself.  Just take the right percautions like you are.

[Cihivalrous1]

(Can't believe I mispelled my own login name...)

I recently (10-26-06)got what I believe were IgG test results back from a local clinic that recently treated me for NGU (which I recently found out is thought to have links to HSV which Kaiser was unable to identify specifically).

Almost as soon as my NGU cleared up, I noticed a series of small, clear painless bumps on the underside of the shaft of my penis.

Prior to this on 10-14-06, my results for Herpes came back negative from Kaiser. I haven't been sexually active since
before 10-12-06.

My partner indicated to me that she had a single bump just outside of her labia major (which I saw for myself.) My first symptoms (which were just small painless clear bumps along the shaft of my penis that I made the mistake of popping when I freaked out) didn't occur until (10-21-06) whereas her symptom began days before mine...almost a week and had started to heal before mine. A doctor told her that he didn't think it was herpes but she is supposed to get her results back some time next week, since he stated that blood tests were not always reliable.

The test results came back as being 1.85 positive for HSV although they were nonspecific and the doctor said he couldn't ID the type. Given this rating, my doctor suspected that I contracted this very recently and implied that if my partner's anti-body count was lower than mine, then I most likely got it from her.

In the back of my mind, I feel as if the nail is in the coffin for me so to speak and I have been taking Acyclovir (1st week= 3 times a day, this week 2 times a day) for the last two weeks. The side effects of this are not pleasant but are fortunately limited to just pain in my legs and difficulty (not painful)when using the bathroom alond with diarrhea.

I've heard about the potential false positive results of tests, but am kind of depressed because other than sensitivity in my genital region, I haven't really had any discomfort except the flu like symptoms (which only lasted 1 day: 10-21-06) and swollen lymph nodes. The bumps I had weren't at all painful and had a clear fluid in them, but my test result is what really got me.

Perhaps I'm stupid for even posting this question, but I just wanted some advice because I plan to go in for a second opinion soon and am requesting the Western Blot test by name if I can get a hold of it through my provider (Kaiser). I guess I am holding on to some form of hope even though everything seems to point in that direction.  

Thank you for your time...