HSV results

Hello Dr. Thank you for you're time. Let me just explain the situation to you. On November 5th 2011 I engaged in sexual activity with a girl. She has HSV-1 genitally. We did not have sex. There was no direct contact of the genital area. She did however touch herself downthere and then touch my penis about 5 mintues after she touched herself. She has had the virus for about 7 years and takes Acylovir twice daily. She was not having an outbreak at the time of out contact and had not had one since September of 2011 and did not have one after our outbreak. I have been a wreak thinking I may have this. So about 11 1/2 weeks after the exposure I decided to do a blood test for this. I got my results back today but I was unable to talk to my doctors about it. All he told me that was in his professional opinion he thinks I do not have it. I did both the IgG and IgM test. My results are as follows  
IgG 0.9 for HSV-1
IgM 1.05 for HSV-1
I know the IgG is considered Negative but the IgM is the "maybe" one. I was hoping you could tell me in your opinion my risk. I have had numerous doctors tell me the virus does not spread like that and I shouldn't be worried at all. Just for more information I do not think I have had an outbreak since the exposure. My doctor told me that is I would have had an outbreak it would be usually within 3 weeks and he said it would have been a very bad outbreak because I did not have any antibodies built up for it. But anyway thank you for your help in advance.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Given your very full and complete description of the history of this sexual encounter, I agree, that for many reasons, your risk of acquiring HSV 1 is incredibly small.

1) genital HSV 1 is infrequently given off from the body, just in the normal course of the infection
2) she was on an appropriate dosage of medicine to significantly decrease viral shedding as well
3) she had no apparent outbreak at the time
4) you didn't have intercourse
5) you did reeive oral sex from her, but she cant' give you what she doesn't have (she has no oral herpes)
6) spreading herpes by touching body parts with hand and then hands touching other body parts is an incredible stretch of imagination for transmission, I agree with your doctors.
7) the IgM test is unreliable and has many false positive. Pay attention only to the IgG.  The Igm should never have been ordered.  I also don't think your IgG value is .91 - my guess is you're reading the reference range info, but I could be wrong.  

Those are all reasons I don't think you acquired HSV 1 genitally.  Does that help?

Terri

[Ryty0523]

Sorry It should say she did not have an outbreak after our encounter.

[Ryty0523]

Also let me add a little more detail sorry about this. I did receive oral sex, unprotected that night. But she does not have it orally. She has never gotten a cold sore in her life. And thats pretty much all we did. I did touch her downstairs once after that on the next night but i right after that i proceeded to wash my hands with warm water and hand soap, then with ultra-concentrated dishwashing liquid, and then i put alcohol based hand sanitizer on it. Overkill, yes i know.

[Ryty0523]

Yes thank you very much. Also my doctor just gave me that numerical value of the IgG something like 0.9 or maybe .09. But thank you it does make me feel better. I just though you could spread it by her hand. Its nice to hear it from someone who really knows what they are talking about. My urologist said I was crazy for even getting the test done haha but thank you very very much.

[Ryty0523]

Also sorry jst one more question. My urologist said that 11 1/2 weeks should be a fine time to check he said he test from 12-16 weeks usually but said it shouldn't be a problem. Do you agree with this?

[Ryty0523]

And sorry this will be my last question on this thread, I was looking at the test results and i do not think it was a HSV-1 type specific. On the test is says HSV 1 and 2 IgG type specific and then there is a second result that said HSV 2 type IgG specific. Both were negative. But should I pursue a HSV-1 Type specific IgG test? This will be my last post to this thread. Thank you very much for your time and help. It really means a lot.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Normally, you test for both at the same time.  I would wait 16 weeks for a final test result, but in your case, since the risk is almost zero, I think 12 would be plenty.

Terri

[Ryty0523]

Okay actually I meant to bring this up in the actual question but it has slipping my mind until now because I felt it was something that is a zero chance thing. A couple of days after we were getting into it again. But this time none of our clothes at all came off. We just i guess you could say "dry humped" but I was wearing gym shorts, and boxers. She was wearing some jeans and stuff but I dunno if that is a risk of spreading it there was like contact between our genitals. Just with clothes on. I have just kinda assumed it couldnt really get to me that way. Also just a random question does it spread through vaginal liquid, like when a girl gets wet. (not really sure if i am putting it the right way) or does it spread through the skin to skin contact or both. Again sorry for the reposting. This will most definitly be my last post to this thread. Again thank you so much for your guidance, help, and time.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

There is no risk of transmitting herpes when people have their clothes on.  

Terri

[Ryty0523]

Okay, So I have two questions? My urologist told me some mixed information. And I just wanted to see what you're take is on it. I had a follow up appointment with him because of a prior issue. I brought him my HSV test per his request. He, like you, agrees that the IgM is utterly useless. But he told me he has that HSV will usually show up at 12 weeks. He said he has never seen a test come back negative at 12 weeks and positive at 16 weeks. I was wondering if you could comment on that.
Okay question number two. The other night i was with my friend who has HSV-1 mentioned in the orginial post. She gave me a handjob (sorry i dont really know a better word) she had all of her clothes on and everything and washed her hand right before. I was hoping you could tell me if this is no risk activity. Thank you for you time and help. Also please let me know if im over stepping the question asking. I will gladly pay again if need be.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Yes, I have seen a test be negative at 12 weeks and positive at 16 weeks, but not commonly.  

The masturbation from your friend was completely risk free, I am happy to report.

Terri

[Ryty0523]

Okay FINALLY 16 weeks have past and I decided just for a piece of mind I would get retest. The results came back negative. Hurray!! I have one more question for you. I took the test 4 days before the exact 16 week exposure mark. Is that okay for an accurate 16 week test?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Yes, that is close enough.

Terri