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I was recently told after a blood test that I test positive for the HSV-2 antibodies. The results were HSV-1 5. I decided to take the blood test, even though I have never had any syptoms consistent with the virus because my boyfriend of 10 months recently had an outbreak on his penis that he says he has never had before and his doctor told him he wasn't sure of what it was and referred him to a dermatologist. After glancing at the rash he was told it is probably herpes, given valtrex, and sent on his way. I immediately scheduled the appointment to get the test done because there was no way I was positive (I felt) and could prove it (I thought).

He took the first set of 2 pills at about 5 pm that night and the last 2, that he was instructed to take, at 6 am the next morning. By noon that day (19 or so hours later) the lesions that had not already popped and scabed over had emptied without popping and reduced to almost nothing in size if not gone. By that night he had clusters of red bumps pop up on his skin in other locations such as his front rib area and they would quickly (within an hour or so) clear up.

He got the results to his blood test and received a negative. The doctor did not preform a culture, even though I asked him to request it. His doctor even told him that he would "bet his house it's not herpes". My results came back positive. Devestating news for the both of us. He is very upset with me and honestly I cannot blame him. The problem is that he can't see past anything but I gave it to him and I am the cause of his inevitable misery for the rest of his life. This is very hurtful because at the start of this I told him that even if it was herpes and I did not have it I would stick by his side and he wouldn't have to be alone through any of it. Well, now that he is convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that this could have only come from me, he wants nothing to do with me and can't even stand to look at me. I feel so lost. How could this happen after 10 months of being sexually active together. I have not cheated and would never.

I have read some posts about the virus lying dormant in the body for a good deal of time before rearing it's ugly head, and that makes me wonder if this is something he could have picked up prior to me and given to me before his outbreak. He does not think this is possible due to his negative result but I have read accounts where people that do actively have the virus are still testing negative for it in the blood test. I know that this sort of scenario isn't the most likely, but I wonder if it is possible. I don't know what to think. It seems like every article out there contradicts the next.

Also I have read that testing negative for type 1 and positive for type 2 without symptoms is most times an oral infection, any truth to this does anyone know?

Any words of wisdom, additional information, and general support in dealing with this and broken relationships because of it would be much appreciated.

Thank you for reading!
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Avatar universal
If you have had a negative IgG for HSV2 in the past then you were infected after that time. A lot of doctors do the wrong test, such as IgM or PCR on blood so best to confirm that you did actually have the IgG test.
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Avatar universal
I am positive I have never had any kind of an outbreak. If I got a yeast infection it went away with the over the counter meds and when the BV started, my doctor ran all kinds of tests, just to be sure, and I know she did include the HSV because she was shocked that I came out negative for everything even HSV-1 which she gave me a speech about before I did the tests because she didn't want me to freak out about a positive for type 1, as almost everyone is to quote her.
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Avatar universal
As you have no living memory of an outbreak. Herpes settles down a lot year 2 onwards for most people.
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Avatar universal
What makes you say I have probably had it for years?
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Avatar universal
The first question is where is your infection. This still stands an overwhelming chance of being a genital infection and you did not notice when you were infection potentially passing it off as a yeast infection. It is rare to have asymptomatic primary infection.

Oral infections are possible, but also quite rare. It is also possible to be born with an oral HSV2 infection if the mother has genital herpes, again a rare occurrence.

Overall though, the most likely explanation is that you were infected by a sexual partner, passed off symptoms as something else at the time and have few if any outbreaks.

You have also had this for years most likely.

This then most likely means you are the source for your partner. I'm surprised a swab was not taken. A blood test will confirm or otherwise with 12 weeks of the sores first appearing.

Many couples do not transmit the virus in their lifetimes, for others years and some within a few months. Your experience of 10 months before transmission would be typical.
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Avatar universal
Yes it was the IGG. HSV-2 was >5 and HSV-1 was <.9. Sorry I just reread my post, I guess I must have hit delete on some of the results part on accident.
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Avatar universal
Can you confirm that your test result was IGG HSV2 >5?

Or was it a different test? Did you test for HSV1?
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Avatar universal
Additional Information: About 2-3 years ago I began having Bacterial Vaginitis flare ups that started off minimal and grew to a monthly (sometimes more frequent) problem about 6 months back. In the last 2-3 months I have actually not had an issue with the BV and am wondering if anyone knows if there is any direct correlation/relationship between HSV-2 and BV?

Thanks again!
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