Genital Herpes from Shingles?

[k192]

When I was 24, my boyfriend at the time had a shingles outbreak along his side, and down his leg over his thigh, to his inner thigh area. We originally thought it was a rash, and we were only able to see each other every-other week due to, at the time, living in different states. So obviously, we had sex while he was visiting for the weekend, and thought nothing of the rash (stupidly). He goes home, goes to the Dr, and gets diagnosed with shingles. Note that I never got the chicken pox (but had the vaccine), but had 3 cases of mono (one of the herpes viruses), and already get cold sores. About three weeks later after having sex with him having shingles, I got a cold, then a week after that got what I thought was a UTI. The Dr gave me antibiotics which did nothing, so I went to my gyno who took bloodwork and diagnosed me positive HSV 1 & 2. At that point, my boyfriend and I had been together for 3 years, and having unprotected sex for all three years. He got tested after I came back positive, and he was negative. I assumed that if it had the virus prior to our relationship, with our usual unprotected romps, he would have, at some point, picked up the virus as well. I did not have sex with anyone else, and he said he didn't either. I can't find any literature about getting HSV2 from shingles, but I myself can't come up with any other reason as to how I could have gotten it. Does HSV2 test positive for both shingles & genital herpes, therefore could I be getting "shingles" outbreak instead of genital herpes outbreaks? I usually just deal with the outbreaks when they happen because they aren't unbearable. If it does "feel" like it's going to be a larger outbreak, I take 2xday Valtrex for 3 days. My boyfriend and I were together 2 more years after I was diagnosed and he remains clean. So, any information about this mystery would be great!

[k192]

I'm almost 100% sure that the girl who I spoke with when she first broke the news said that I tested positive for both 1 & 2. Plus, I have symptoms of HSV2, including breakouts (unless these breakouts are something totally different?). Believe me, I would much rather NOT have HSV2. I will, however, have to follow up & ask if they did in fact do a type-specific test.

[Fleetwood20]

I suspect there is a chance you have both had a combined IgG test for HSV 1/2. A positive means you have either type but cannot prove both are present. Your cold sores means you have HSV1 and will trigger a positive for a combo test.

If this is the case, there is no evidence of a HSV2 infection.

Ask your gyno the question were the results type specific and do I have two positives. If they say there's just one positive then it was a combo test and there's no reason to conclude you have HSV2. Demand a type specific test

[k192]

At the gyno, they did an STD screening via bloodwork, so I don't exactly know if they "typed" the antibody. The STD test is what came back positive. I'm assuming my partner got the same type of screen done- just an STD blood panel.

Everywhere I read it says, no you can not get HSV2 from shingles, but I literally cannot come up with another explanation. We were both clean before we entered the relationship.

[disillusioned2014]

So if you have a positive culture for HSV-2 you are not positive for HSV-2 if the iGG blood test comes back negative? I was told that even though the blood IGG test was negative and the culture was positive I have Gential herpes HSV-2, not 1 but 2, that is what there lab tested it for type 2 swab, culture 2. I posted a question. post just now. Thanks,

Disillusioned2014

[Fleetwood20]

I'm sure there is a good explanation.

Shingles is not relevant here, it does not cross react with tests etc.

Starting with you. Unless you have type specific IgG antibody results for HSV1 and HSV2 then you do not have a diagnosis. What blood test revealed a positive and what were the results.

Further what test did your partner have that was negative?