28 weeks Pregnant and just found out have HSV2

[maui1008]

I am 28 weeks pregnant and went into see my OBGYN last week for a normal check up but told her about some burning I had.  She looked and said it was suspicious of Herpes. She did a culture and today I got the results that i was postive for HSV2.  I was devastated on Friday when I heard that i might have herpes because I've been with my husband for over 6 years and neither of us have ever had any symptoms.  Since Friday I have been reading a lot on the internet and still have a lot of questions and concerns for my unborn baby.  I am hoping someone on this forum has been through this similar situation and can offer some advise.  I have a lot of questions so I appreciate anyone willing to answer all of them.  My questions are.

1. Is it possible that I would have had HSV2 for several years and not have known it?
2. What are the chances that my outbreak is a primary outbreak and that I just caught HSV2?
3. What tests should my Dr. being doing now to determine if I have any antibodies built up and my outbreak is primary or recurring>
4. What is the accuracy of these tests?
5. My husband is going to be tested (blood test) since he doesn't have any signs. How accurate are the tests?
6. What is the risk of spreading my HSV2 via the placenta?  I'm reading some conflicting information here.
7. As a precaution my OBGYN put me on Valtrex 1 gm 2x daily for 10 days. She said it was to be very agressive.  This seems like a lot based upon the research I've done.  
8. I am already scheduled for a c-section due to previously having a c-section with my 1st child. What are the chances of passing herpes to my child through a c-section

[kaande05]

I was diagnosed with HSV2 almost a year ago so i will try to answere your q's.
1. yes it is possible for the virus to lay dormant for several years,  some people never   know that they have it, and that is why it is one of the leading STD's in the US.
2. for a lot of people their first outbreak will show up between 7-10 days of contracting the virus, that is what i believe happened to me, because the timeline was a little too suspicious between me and who i think gave it to me.
3. Im not so sure about this question. If you have herpes it will always stay with you, I have had it for a year almost, and my primary outbreak has been my only outbreak... knock on wood.
4. A culture is pretty accurate, especially if you had the sores.
5. The blood tests are probably more accurate.
6. When i talked to my doctor about having children and having HSV2, she stated there was no way to pass it on through the placents. The most likely way is through the birth canal, especially if you have an outbreak. Which its better to just get a c-section.
7. When i was first diagnosed, my doctor put me on 800 mg od valtrex 2 times a day for 10 days, i thought it was a lot, but i just wanted the initial outbreak to be gone ASAP. so i didnt worry too much about it. Because valtrex was so expensive i had her switch to a generic version after my 10 days. I now take 400 mg of Acyclovir 2 times a day. And like i said no outbreaks since!!!!
8. from what i understand, from my doctor, the chances are slim to none, thats why she recomends it.  

I hope this helped. And i realize it may feel like the end of the world, and its a constant battle every day to not let it bring you down. i thought i would never get over the fact that i have it. And i will be the first to admit having someone that loves you despite of it makes it a lot easier to get over. good luck with everything and good luck with your new bundle of joy!!

[gracefromHHP]

1. Is it possible that I would have had HSV2 for several years and not have known it?

- yes it is.

2. What are the chances that my outbreak is a primary outbreak and that I just caught HSV2?

- if hubby tests negative for hsv2 then you know this is just your first obvious recurrence of hsv2. if he also tests +, if an igg blood test wasn't done at the time of your lesion culture, no way to know if this is new for you or not.

3. What tests should my Dr. being doing now to determine if I have any antibodies built up and my outbreak is primary or recurring>

- you are in your 3rd trimester now so herpes blood tests have the potential to be inaccurate when negative so really no reason to have blood testing done on you at this point if it wasn't done already.

4. What is the accuracy of these tests?

- 98% accurate as far as testing your hubby ( see above as to how it applies to you ).

5. My husband is going to be tested (blood test) since he doesn't have any signs. How accurate are the tests?

- see above

6. What is the risk of spreading my HSV2 via the placenta?  I'm reading some conflicting information here.

- if this is a newly acquired hsv2 infection for you, there's about a 5% risk of transmitting it to the baby in utero. Your obgyn can determine if it's worth doing any ultrasounds on the baby at this point.  Most of your risk is at delivery but since you are having a planned c section, that's not an issue anyways.

7. As a precaution my OBGYN put me on Valtrex 1 gm 2x daily for 10 days. She said it was to be very agressive.  This seems like a lot based upon the research I've done.  

- your provider is erring on the side of caution and assuming this is a newly acquired herpes infection for you. you are being given the proper dose assuming that ( and you have no reason at this point not to assume that either ).  It's a safe dose.  

8. I am already scheduled for a c-section due to previously having a c-section with my 1st child. What are the chances of passing herpes to my child through a c-section

- this isn't a risk for you at delivery.  since you are having a planned c section , no reason for suppressive therapy for the last month of pregnancy either.  

grace