Is this reality.

To whom this may concern,
I have been recently doing some research on HSV-2, and stumbled across this forum. I have questions that are unanswered, and I am scared I might be in denial, Can you help me?  
History:
Six months ago I decided to go get tested, because "rumor" had it, that the person I had slept with "had" HSV-2. When I confronted him, he swore he did not have it. I then went and got tested. My results were negative. On the website, http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_testing.cfm, it states that a person who has come in contact with a person who is infect must wait 12-16 weeks before getting tested, I waited a month. I did not do research at that time, I had no idea that there was a time frame. I know that the antibodies work differently from person to person. I went to go get tested again because I recently started dating someone new. Also, the my new boyfriend recently had a horrible outbreak in his mouth, on his gums, down his throat with sores, he got tested and his only came back positive for HSV-1 not 2. That was his first episode of HSV-1, I had a cold sore on my lip. I know he got it from me, but I did forewarn him about it. I have had cold sores since I was in high school. I have now gotten my results for HSV-2, and they are positive. I want to be as responsible about this. But I do feel that my test results came back as a false positive. I have never had any sores or open wounds, or lesions, other than cold sores. I have not noticed a change in anything on my body. That is why I feel as if this test may be wrong.

Is it possible for the blood test to pick up the antibodies form the cold sore that I recently had? I did not take any antibiotics or antiviral meds for the cold sore. On the ASHA website it states, "Blood tests cannot accurately distinguish between antibodies for type-1 and type-2 herpes. This makes it possible to get a false positive result, especially for HSV-2."

Is it possible to still give HSV-2 to your partner if you do not have and lesions and you are wearing a condom?

I want to retest, but before I go to my OBGyn, I want to ask the right questions, I want to make sure I get the right test. I feel clueless and helpless. This is all too new for me.

If infact I do test positive again, the man who would have exposed me stated he had nothing. I told him about me testing positive. I asked him again if he had HSV-2. He said he did not. I asked him to get tested, and he said that he would not get tested. I know he is sleeping around with girls unprotected. I know he wont stop. What should I do? I do not want to take the back seat on this and I do not want to seem immature. But to some degree, that has to be illegal. Right?

Sorry for the lengthy post, I just don't know what to do.

[gracefromHHP]

I can best help you if you get your blood test results and post them here - ie hsv1 igg 5.9 and hsv2 ig 2.2 is all I need to see. Then I can see if you need additional testing done or not.  

nothing you can do about an ex partner that you feel might've given you hsv2. You talked to him and if he doesn't want to go and get tested, that is his choice.  you did your part and it's all in his hands now. If his partners aren't asking him to get tested for std's prior to sex, that's their problem, not yours.  There isn't any law he is breaking that you can do darn thing about.  

has your current partner had a type specific herpes igg blood test done or just a lesion culture of his oral symptoms?

grace

[Someonewithacurse]

Thanks for replying!

My current partner had a lesion culture, thats all, he is going in to get tested too.

I just got in touch with my MD's nurse. I asked her what test I took, she wouldn't tell me. Her response was, "You took a blood test." I was telling her I did some research, and according to some of these forums and websites, the best test is the western blot test or the BiokitUSA. I also asked her for the levels of IgG or IgM. She said that she has no levels. The lab results just simply say that I have HSV-2. But at the bottom of my results it said they did not test my glycoproteins and the test may not be able to differentiate between HSV-1 and HSV-2. She said that I need to come back if I were to get lesions, but have not experienced that. I am getting more confused. I just do not understand how they do not know my levels. I feel like there is something really wrong with this test.

I know I cannot personally worry about other peoples person relations, and by no means do I want to ruin someones reputation. I just wish someone would have told me, I wish that I knew before I had made my mistakes. and the weird thing is, I did ask him, and I thought he was being honest with me. I am a stupid girl.

[gracefromHHP]

you need to repeat your blood test. you might've had a herpeselect immunoblot which doesn't return with numeric results or it could've been another test that the lab doesn't return with numbers unless asked. No matter what, repeat your test with a confirmatory test like the herpes WB.  

[Someonewithacurse]

Thank you soooo much Grace. You are like the only helpful info I have gotten so far.

[Someonewithacurse]

Grace, one more question.
What are some normal values. I heard that the HSV-2 can range from 1.1 to 3.5 and you test could be a false positive.  Is this accurate?  

[gracefromHHP]

yes that is accurate. if your test doesn't return with numeric values though, you still have to repeat it. the false positive issues are still there.

[Someonewithacurse]

Thanks grace! you have been an amazing source for info!

[Someonewithacurse]

dear grace,

i have a few more questions.

what are you supposed to look for when having an outbreak?  i have never had one and i dont know what a mild or severe outbreak would look like. i just dont know. i have never had any sores or any lesions. and all of this is still soooooo confusing. i have done my research on google. and every picture i look at, doesnt look like anything i have ever seen on my body. i get a little razor burn at worse, but nothing else. and the encounter with the person that i think would have given me herpes was well over five months ago. and i have never had sores. i still need to get my second test. i just have not been able to get it yet. any advice or good internet resources?

[gracefromHHP]

the herpes handbook is the best resource out there.

at this point confirm your status and go from there. I know it's easy for me to say try not to obsess and worry and hard for you to follow.  

[Someonewithacurse]

thank you.... i know i have been freaking out. i just did my second test. and i am waiting for results. i have been trying to not let this get the better half of me. i appreciate everything that you have done! thanks again! have a great weekend!

[Someonewithacurse]

hey grace, i wanted to thank you again, i just got my results a couple of days ago. they did three different tests on me one was the western blot, and every one of those tests was negative for herpes. it was such a relief, thank you for all of your advice!

[gracefromHHP]

congrats!