Just Diagnosed with Herpes; Very Concerned about HIV

[scaredintenn]

I had posted on here about a week ago concerning herpes and HIV.  I just found out today that I do in fact have HSV-2.  I am still very concerned that I may have HIV.  I just got my HIV test back yesterday and it was negative, however, that was only one week past my last exposure.  I have had three negative HIV tests in the past two months.  I know the connection between HSV-2 and HIV and have literally convinced myself that I have HIV as well since my partner did not know, or disclose one, that he had genital herpes, I am worried sick he is not telling me if he has HIV.  I do know that he had a HIV test on June 16, and he has told me twice that it came back negative.  Again, he is a 24 year old heterosexual male, non IV drug-user from Cleveland, Tennessee.  I need reassurance bad concerning the HIV risk, especially since I just got a positive HSV-2.  PLEASE HELP ME!!!!  Should I get retested again? Should I be legitimately this concerned given my exposure risk?  

Thank you for your response!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You have no reason to worry regarding your risk of HIV.  In addition to all of my earlier comments which still hold, I will elaborate.  I presume your diagnosis of herpes was based on a blood test.  (What I am about to say is true whether of not your diagnose was made by blood test or some other reason).  The diagnosis of herpes increases your risk of getting HIV, if exposed about three-fold, Even so, your risk of getting HIV remains tiny (3 times close to zero is still close to zero) because your risk of being exposed is so very low and because the likelihood of getting infected, even if your partner has HIV is also so very low.

Regarding herpes, also remember that most herpes is transmitted by people who do not know they are infected as well.  You are now one of 45 MILLION Americans however, unlike about 40 million of them, you now have the advantage (it really is) of knowing it.

Please do not worry.  Your concerns remain baseless. EWH

[scaredintenn]

I have one more question: Since I have HSV-2, can I spread it to someone by performing oral sex on them?  Thank you so much for your reassurance during this very difficult time.  It has helped me more than you know!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

While it can happen, it is unusual for HSV-2 to be spread to another person's mouth through oral sex.  For reasons that are not too clear, the virus does not like that location.  EWH

[scaredintenn]

Dr. Hook,

I just wanted to let you know that I did a Rapid HIV test today (the one where they ***** your finger) and it was negative...my anxieties have calmed a bit since then.  I was wondering though, does the HSV-2 virus affect an HIV test...I guess I'm asking could I get a false negative since I recently acquired HSV-2 or can I fnally put this mess behind me????

Thanks so much for your continued support and encouragement

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, having HSV does not increase the probability of a false negative for HIV.  time to move forward.  EWH

[pleasehelpme08]

Dr. Hook,

What is the percentage of accuracy of an HIV test 18 days after last unprotected exposure?  I know at 4 weeks the percentage is 85-90%.  Would antibodies show up at all by 18 days?

[pleasehelpme08]

Perhaps I should explain my situation a bit more.  I posted under someone elses question since the forum was accepting anymore questions today.  I am a 26 year old female who has had roughly 20 episodes of vaginal and oral sex with a 25 year old straight man over the past three months, some protected some not.  I became concerned about HIV after I found out through a routine pap smear that I had chlamydia and had to have gotten it from this partner.  I am so scared that he has HIV too and either doesn't know it or won't tell me (he has told me that he was recently tested and does not have HIV, but you know how that goes).  Anyway, I went and had a rapid test done at 18 days past exposure and it was negative, but after reading on here, I'm thinking that that result means absolutely nothing.  Can you please provide me with some reassurance and information regarding my test.  Anything you could say would help.  Thank you

[Edward W Hook, MD]

the proportion of persons with chlamydia who have also acquired HIV from the same partner is very, very low- less than 1%.  

In addition, your 18 day result should add to your confidence.  About half of tests that are going to become positive will be at 2 weeks.  When this is considered in the context if your low risk of infection as discussed above, you really have little to worry about.  Please try not to.  EWH

[pleasehelpme08]

Thank you doctor for your encouragement.  My final question is would you reccommend getting tested again?  Would you get retested if you had tested negative at 18 days past exposure and were in the same risk category that I am in (25 year old heterosexual male whom I do not believe is an IV drug user)?  Also, is the rapid test as accurate as the EIA test given this time frame?  I was just wondering if you would get retested if you were in my situation?  Thanks again, and I will take whatever advice you give me regarding this.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The answers to your questions are found on other sites throughout this site.  I would get retested at 4 weeks.  At that time 85-90% of tests that are going to be positive will be and with that result (it will be negative) when combined with the very low risk nature of your exposure I would move on from this and not test further.  I suggest retesting not because I think you need it medically but becaue if you don't I am concerned you will continue to worry

Yes the rapid tests perform just as well as the EIAs.  

As you said, this was the last question.  No further questions please.  EWH