Blood Test Results for Genital Herpes

[cifadiva]

I have recently been tested for HSV 1 and 2 (culture and serology) and still don't know whether I have genital herpes.  During a routine exam, my GYN noticed a blister like bump on my labia.  One bump that I had noticed (it was painful for about a day) four days before my exam.  I believe it had already started to develop a scab when she declared that it "looks like herpes".  The culture came back positive and I asked her how this could happen since I have been in a monogamous relationship for over 2 years.  I had not had any symptons previously.  I mentioned to her that I have had 2 fever blisters since July.  The most recent was within the last 2 months.  My partner and I did kiss while I was infected and I believe we also had oral intercourse (cunnilingus).  I never considered the consequences.  I have now read enough on the net to know that HSV 1 can cause HSV 2.  Right?  So now I am wracked with guilt and anxious to know if  I am carrying the HSV 2 virus.  My GYN ordered the following test(s):   HSV Type 2-Specific Ab, IgG; IgM I/II Combination; HSV Type 1-Specific Ab, IgG.  My test results were: Type 2 Specific <0.91; IgM = 2.69 (High) and as expected because of the fever blister, Type 1 Specific = 3.94 High.  What do these results mean?  My doctor suggests that I get retested in 3 months to see if I have developed HSV 2 antibodies and she has also prescribed daily Valtrex.  Not sure I want to take daily meds for herpes until I know for sure that I have HSV 2 genital herpes.  I get fever blisters at least once a year, usually after being exposed to sunlight and while painful they always disappear in a few days.  Lastly, I had my blood test done at LabCorp and don't know which kit they use.  One article I read on the Net indicated that they aren't using the HerpeSelect kit, altho that info could be dated.  Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.  

ps I think my GYN is taking the better safe than sorry approach but am not sure she is on top of her game when it comes to herpes.  

[gracefromHHP]

a 6 day old blister is far more likely to be falsely negative than falsely positive.  There's really no reason at all to doubt the lesion culture results. You had what sounds like a herpes lesion and you had a + culture to confirm it.  

No reason to see an infectious disease doc. Why don't just you and your partner get type specific herpes igg blood tests to see who has what?

grace

[cifadiva]

Thanks for the clarification and quick response.  I realized I had misspoken after I had sent my email.  Apparently my doc did order typing for the culture test.  Her nurse has confirmed today that it was positive for hsv2.  Can't the culture test be false positive?  Especially since the blister was 6 days old.

Could I have self-infected the hsv1 during my last episode?  Mouth to genitals?  If it sounds like I am in denial, I am.  I know that the hsv2 virus can be dormant for years but my gut tells me that I'm not infected. Time will tell.

FYI, my partner is going to be tested and I plan to be retested by an infectious disease
doc.

[gracefromHHP]

hsv1 can absolutely never cause hsv2. They are 2 completely different viruses.  You can however have hsv1 genitally or orally ( and same with hsv2 ).

You said you had a + lesion culture for herpes. Did they type it to know if it's hsv1 or hsv2?

At this point your partner needs tested to see what their status is.  Chances are good that they have hsv2 and never knew it and recently transmitted it to your genital area.  

grace