Herpes Results

[sim07]

Okay, this may seem complicated so I will keep it short. I tested for Herpes in February 2009 and the results came back negative. This was a type specific test IgG. It was under .90 so relatively accurate. Then in August 2009, I tested again, no specific reason, just included in blookwork, and HSV II came back greater than 5.0 so essentially I have HSV II. My sex partner, which has been the same sex partner for the past 2 years claims he did not have sex with anyone else, which I believe. He just went and got tested today.
I have had several sexual partners before I was in the relationship with current boyfriend,
1.) So could I have actually been positive in February when I tested negative but my immune system was suppressing the virus so the IgG antibodies were lower than .9?
2.) Could my positive results that were over 5.0 this August been in error?
3.) Could he have had HSV II for years with no breakout?
4.) If he did have the virus for years, could he have NOT spread it to me for a year of sexual activity, then shed sporadically and I contracted the virus.

My significant other has been to two doctors and they both told him this same information, that the test will most likely come back positive for the majority of people testing for HSV II because most people have been exposed.
They seem to be under the impression that just because you have been exposed, you then develop antibodies but don't actually contract the virus.... I believe this is incorrect, but wanted to verify. So simply put, when you have the antibodies, this means that you have the virus, correct, not that you have simply been exposed? I would like to clear all this up.

So I could assume these results are rather accurate, and I should not test again?

Thanks so much!

[sim07]

Hi again, well the results of my fellow's HSV II test came back negative, with an IgG of .03. Now this is really weird because I have had no sexual contact with anyone except him, for the past two years, and I had an HSV II test in February 2009 which was negative and now in August I am positive. This does not make any sense. Except I have someone very close to me who had a weird outbreak on his arm, he went to the doctor, and they cultured the sore, and it came back positive for HSVII. He has outbreaks and takes medications, if he feels an outbreak is coming on. Also, I have also had contact with someone who had a really bad herpes outbreak on his arm. He was also diagnosed with herpes from his lesions. I shook his hand, and back in April 2009, I had these weird bumps appear on my hand. I went to the doctor who just assumed it was contact dermatits. Now, I am HSV II positive. This doesn't make sense. Any ideas Grace?

[sim07]

Thanks for the comment, and I will be excited to find out his results to figure this all out. I have known for over a month my status, and am getting used to the idea that I have HSV II.

[gracefromHHP]

If you had had hsv2 prior to meeting the fellow that you've been dating for 2 years, your initial blood work would've shown up +.  At this point, wait and see what your partner's hsv2 igg blood test results are. if he's negative for hsv2 then pursue a herpes WB to confirm your status.

grace