Herpes Testing

[UghHSV]

I was just diagnosed (visually - culture was done, but not back yet) with Herpes during my first outbreak.  A about 6 months ago I went in for my annual gyno exam and asked to be tested for "everything, including HIV". Nothing came back positive.  When I was told I had Herpes, I asked if it had been present during the last testing.  That's when they informed me that Herpes testing isn't standard, due to its inaccuracy.  Is this true?  Or when I ask for "everything" shouldn't that mean everything?  I knew that HPV was difficult to test for, and already received the full rounds of the vaccine, so I knew I wasn't being tested for that, but I assumed that Herpes could be tested and therefor would be.  I've always been very sex aware and safe with my partners, however I feel like I was missing information that led me to feel safer than I was.  Please tell me if this is standard practice or not.
Thank you.

[gracefromHHP]

oh and thank you, thank you, thank you for continuing to add to the same thread. You have no idea how much easier it makes it to reply :)

grace

[gracefromHHP]

I say stop the valtrex too because if anything, this is hsv1 genitally which shouldn't be much of an issue anyways. It tends not to reoccur very often and since your partner already has cold sores it's very unlikely to be transmitted to his genital area.  No reason to suspect hsv2 at this point if he's tested negative for hsv2 and you did too.

Should you get a recurrence ever  - see your provider within 24-48 hours for a lesion culture and typing ( preferably pcr so you are more likely to get an accurate result ). Don't start any antivirals again until after the culture is done.  

grace

[UghHSV]

More to update:
I had a second blood test done, Herpes Select again.
Again the numbers are negative.  (Anything above 0.9 is considered positive.)
HSV I - 0.75
HSV II - 0.0
So after three rounds a negative testing, the most recent one being 6 weeks after the "outbreak", can I assume its negative?  Or because the levels of Type I have risen, but not to a positive level, is it likely that its type 1 and still rising?  Should I get another blood test in a couple of months?  Is it worth continuing to take the medication?  My doctor has suggested that I stop taking the daily Valtrex and just wait and see.  Basically if there's another "outbreak" of any sort to see her immediately.  Does this seem logical?  Is there something else that would give classic symptoms of a Type II Herpes outbreak?
Any suggestions on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

[UghHSV]

I have my actual number here from the HerpesSelect test.
Type 1 - 0.50
Type 2 - 0.07
I plan on going back in a couple more weeks to have the blood test confirmed (or refuted).
If the likely scenario is that its Type 1, that's presenting genitally, why wouldn't I have oral?  If I was ever having oral sex, I'd be kissing as well.  Is this just a case of bad luck? Or would there be some reason for this?
Also, again, going with the scenario that my boyfriend gave me Type 1 (that he knows he has), is it possible for me to "give it back to him"?  Basically, if we have unprotected sex, and the HSV-1 is transferred back to him, is it possible for him to then present genitally?  Or is because he already has the virus, he'd be safe?
Obviously we're still being safe until we have the better figured out, but it would be good to know what kind of risks we face otherwise.
Thanks!

[auntiejessi]

You could have type 1 genitally from his oral hsv1 infection if he performs oral sex on you.

At this point, I'd wait a few months and test again.  If this is a new infection for you, its not surprising that your IgG blood test is negative.

If you get symptoms again, have your doctor do a type-specific culture within 24-48 hours of the symptoms appearing.

Aj

[UghHSV]

Just to clarify, neither of us has has sex with anyone else in over 6 months.

[UghHSV]

My boyfriend and I have been together for about 5 and a half months at the time of the blood tests.  We've been having unprotected sex for slightly less than that (4 months?).  Neither of us has been with anyone else.  He was not tested for type 1 because he used to get cold sores as a child, so his doc didn't test him for type 1.  But he's negative for type 2.
Thoughts?  What else might it be?  What should I ask to be tested for?  Should I ask for the western blot test?  Should I just wait a few months and get tested again?

[auntiejessi]

How long have you been together?

If its been longer than 4 months, and both of you are negative for both types of herpes, and neither one of you have had other partners, what you have can't be herpes.

Aj

[UghHSV]

So I finally got my blood test back and they say its negative.  I don't have the exact numbers, but I believe it was 0.05 type 1, and 0.06 for type 2, both below the threshold of 0.09 which is a positive result according to the nurse I spoke to.  My boyfriend also tested negative, but I don't have his exact numbers.
So what do I do?  My doc office (gyno) have been less than helpful through this whole thing.  I know that false negatives are more likely, but after two different tests what should I think?  My BF and I are considering a joint trip to Planned Parenthood so that we can get all the information together.  But do you have any recommendations in the mean time?
I plan to continue taking the Valtrex until we're sure what's going on.

[gracefromHHP]

correct -igg testing only.

grace

[UghHSV]

I had sex with my boyfriend (of  6 months) two days before I was diagnosed.  (So if he didn't have it then, he's probably got it now).  He's going to get his blood test tomorrow as well.  We both know we'll probably have to go back in a month or so to get a new blood test to compare titer levels, or find out if I gave it to him.  Currently we are not having sex, and do not intend on having any unprotected sex until we have all the information.  The most likely case (statistically) is that he is an asymptomatic carrier who passed it on to me and I developed symptoms.  We were both under the original assumption (until this all happened) that herpes was tested for with standard STD testing, we both now know better... sadly.
So is there anything else that I should ask to be tested for since my viral culture came back negative?
I also want to be clear about the test I want to get, its the IgG test, not IgM, correct?

[gracefromHHP]

Tummy troubles is a common side effect of the antivirals.  Make sure you are taking it with food.  You can also take tums or other otc antacids with it too if just eating when yuo take it doesn't help.

How long was the last time you had sex? If it's been less than 4 months then getting a blood test now might not be the final answer.  Also if you have a regular partner they too need tested for herpes with a blood test.  You'll need to know who has what in order to decide what precautions to take together.

grace

[UghHSV]

So I (finally) spoke with my doctor who informed me my cultures had come back negative for HSV (she didn't specify type).  She was convinced that its a false negative and seems sure of her diagnosis.  I plan to go in tomorrow for a blood test to have the results explained.  In all likelihood I do have Herpes, I have all the classic symptoms, but would you recommend getting tested for other diseases? Ones that might present like herpes?  If so, what specifically should I ask to be tested for?  While the doc seems convinced of her visual diagnosis, I'd prefer to be sure.

Also, how common are side effects with acyclovir?  I've had an upset stomach and been exhausted since I started taking it.  The stomach problems are finally starting to subside, but I'm still not feeling 100%.  How much of this is likely due to the drugs as opposed to the primary infection?

Thank you.

[waringblender]

It is standard practice not to include herpes testing. You have to request it at most places. "Everything" varies by clinic, but most often I believe it includes HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, Chlamydia. Not herpes.