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Test Result Question
I just received my herpes blood test results back (in case you are curious, background to why I got the test in the paragraph below). They were delivered to me over the phone by a nurse not a doctor. She did not tell me which test I was given. What she told me was "your test shows exposure to HSV 1 and "new exposure" to non-specific HSV. You should test again in 6 months". I have been married for 7 years with no other partner than my husband for 9 years. We have both been faithful. While I've never had a cold sore, I was prepared that there was a 50% chance I would test positive for HSV 1 b/c it's so common. What I don't understand is what this new exposure to an a non-specified HSV strain means - and the nurse didn't do a great job of explaining it. She told me that one test showed a definite exposure to HSV1 and the other one showed very elevated levels of antibodies, suggesting a new exposure, but that test doesn't differentiate from HSV 1 and 2. Is it possible to have both an old and a new exposure to the same strain? Would a new exposure to HSV in a new area of the body make this happen (ie. a transfer from HSV 1 orally to genitally or vice versa)? I can see how it's in the realm of possibility that I could've been reintroduced to HSV 1 somehow (sharing a drink/food), but there is no chance I could've recently been infected with HSV 2. I got tested for peace of mind and now I am more confused than ever!
Background - during my pregnancy with my second child (now 14 months) I experienced 3 or 4 terrible yeast infections. With the first one, I freaked out, spent hours on Google and convinced myself that I had herpes and never knew it. I went to see my doctor and she told me it was not herpes, but a yeast infection. I never experienced sores, but did get splits/papercuts in my skin, which I've read can happen with herpes. When a new occurrence happened, the dr. would give me a new prescription for yeast and the symptoms would go away after a week. After having my daughter, I didn't experience anything again - until two months ago. The same symptoms of a YI, itching/burning, a few splits in my skin, but no discharge. I went to see my doctor and she said I had BV. I asked her to culture the cuts for herpes, which she did and they came back negative. A week later I still wasn't feeling 100% better so I went to a different doctor. I explained everything and she said she didn't see anything abnormal, but told me I could take a blood test to "put my mind at ease" so I would stop worrying - fail!
Background - during my pregnancy with my second child (now 14 months) I experienced 3 or 4 terrible yeast infections. With the first one, I freaked out, spent hours on Google and convinced myself that I had herpes and never knew it. I went to see my doctor and she told me it was not herpes, but a yeast infection. I never experienced sores, but did get splits/papercuts in my skin, which I've read can happen with herpes. When a new occurrence happened, the dr. would give me a new prescription for yeast and the symptoms would go away after a week. After having my daughter, I didn't experience anything again - until two months ago. The same symptoms of a YI, itching/burning, a few splits in my skin, but no discharge. I went to see my doctor and she said I had BV. I asked her to culture the cuts for herpes, which she did and they came back negative. A week later I still wasn't feeling 100% better so I went to a different doctor. I explained everything and she said she didn't see anything abnormal, but told me I could take a blood test to "put my mind at ease" so I would stop worrying - fail!
sounds like you had a non-type specific test done which was the wrong test to have done ( also could be that your non-specific testing was herpes igm testing too which is the wrong test to have done ). At this point, just ask your provider to specifically order a hsv2 igg blood test if it wasn't done already to know what your status is. No need to wait 6 months either.
Thank you for the quick reply. I will ask them to send me a copy of the actual test.
Hi and welcome, first we need to see your test results posted here as your getting a lot a wrong misleading information from them.
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
