Last two sex partners negative, I'm positive, what next?

[overwhelmedandconfused]

In 2006 I was tested for genital herpes by taking a sample of a small sore I had and it came back negative. I got married in 2007 and unknown to me, over the course of about five years he slept with several prostitutes. In 2012 he got nervous that he had herpes and went and got tested and it came back negative. Soon after he admitted to all of this. We stayed married for 2 more years while he got help for sex addiction. In 2014 I joined a support group that encouraged me to get tested for STDs and I did. When I went in, I explained that my husband was sleeping with multiple partners and I wanted to be tested for everything. I didn't know that herpes was not included in standard STD testing. So when everything came back negative, I assumed that included herpes. We separated in September 2014 and he was tested soon after. Again, I assumed that included herpes. It did not. I started dating my current boyfriend in February 2015 and we became sexually active in March. In August I had a lot of pain and I knew I had another yeast infection. But I started to worry because I was getting them frequently and had read that sometimes people think they're having yeast infections when it's actually an STD. I was hit with guilt and fear that even though my ex had been tested, I hadn't been retested myself. So I went straight to a clinic and got tested for everything. I had a UTI and a yeast infection but I insisted they go ahead and do the exam and take my blood. That I just needed to know once and for all. Everything came back negative except herpes. I started taking acyclovir twice a day.

HSV 1 IGG TYPE SPECIFIC AB >5.00
HSV 2 IGG TYPE SPECIFIC AB 1.52

I'm my current boyfriend's first sex partner. I felt AWFUL because I had brought this on what has been the most amazing relationship of my life. We talked about it for hours, many tears, and he went the next day to get tested. After 5 months of unprotected sex, we were relieved when he came back negative for HSV 1 & 2. I called my ex and I told him I was positive. He told me he had been tested multiple times since we separated and was negative. I was confused and asked if he could get the results so I could take both of ours to my general doctor to talk about it. And of course that's when he found out the same thing I did - the herpes is not tested regularly. So he got tested, oddly his doctor only ordered HSV 2, and that came back negative. I got retested for my own sanity and the second test came back:

HSV 1 & 2 IGM Negative (why my doctor ordered this unreliable test, I do not know)
HSV 1 IGG >5.00
HSV 2 IGG 1.17

I went over all of this information with my doctor yesterday and am feeling more confused than ever. She looks at numbers and tells me I definitely have herpes. But then says she doesn't know how it's possible for me to have had unprotected sex with these two men for a total of about 8 years and for neither to be positive. She told me to stop taking the acyclovir and just wear condoms. I asked for the Western Blot since I had read people recommending it over and over online but when she called Quest Diagnostics they told her it was an outdated test they no longer offered and the IGG was newer and more accurate.

I'm going to say here what I said to her: I am NOT trying to "get out of" having herpes. I am just asking, is it possible that these are false positives? Right now I'm taking acyclovir twice a day and my boyfriend and I are wearing condoms. We have stopped giving and receiving oral sex because I tested positive for HSV 1. It is possible that down the line we'll decide that exposure is worth the risk if it means having the intimacy we had before. But I have placed that decision in his hands because if he is negative and wants to stay negative I have to respect that. And I do.

I'm just frustrated to have such a low positive, never have had an outbreak, have had two sex partners that are negative and yet turn my sexual life upside down because of a number. I feel like I need a second opinion but I don't know how to find someone who is well educated about herpes specifically. I don't know if I need to order additional tests. I'm just sitting here with all this information and much more that I've read online and I'm lost. Please help.

Thank you for your time.

[overwhelmedandconfused]

Thank you, I certainly will. I called the The University of Washington Virology Research Clinic and they were extremely nice and helpful. However, they gave me a number that my doctor has to call to order the test. So far I've called around and no one is willing to call and make this order. Extremely frustrating and I'm not sure what to do except keep calling around. I'll update this post when I have more information.

[Life360_Dave]

do let us know your test result ok? you have an interesting case.
dave

[overwhelmedandconfused]

Okay, thank you so very much. I'm on their website as we speak. Thank you for your time.

[Life360_Dave]

We dont really know if you have it. In my experience being here ive seen that low positive mean a false positive for a recent infection. You really need a final test. The thing with your case those with long term hsv1 can have the test cross react with hsv2 making a low positive. I truely believe you dont have hsv2 and its showing from cross reactivity that why we suggest the WB in cases as yours.

[overwhelmedandconfused]

So if I came into my marriage without genital herpes. Because I got tested in 2006 and it was negative. Only had sex with my husband during our marriage and then my current boyfriend after. Where did I get genital herpes? Is it possible that since they only tested the sore I had in 2006 and it came back negative, that I actually had it then but they didn't do a blood test?

[Life360_Dave]

The only real risk is when there is a sore at the time as shedding does not occur throughout the month but studies shows it shed about 3-5% of the time so figure it sheds 3-5% of the time all year. Also must adults do have a good immune system which also prevents some degree of protection.

[overwhelmedandconfused]

Do you have time for some input? I'd greatly appreciate it.

[overwhelmedandconfused]

If I had unprotected sex with my husband for 7 years and unprotected sex with my boyfriend for 5 months and neither test positive for herpes, what does that mean? I know it's more contagious during an outbreak, but I've read viral shedding happens throughout the month. Am I just not that contagious? Is that even a thing?

[Life360_Dave]

You can call the lab in washington state direct and ask. Most have hav1 from childhood. Without any lip coldsores its not risky to infect someone.

[overwhelmedandconfused]

How exactly do I obtain the Western Blot test? I've read a lot but I can't seem to find a clear answer. And my doctor has already turned it down because she was told it was outdated.

Also, just curious why you're certain my HSV1 is from childhood?

And how could I have had it for so long and not given it to anyone?

Thank you again for your time!

[Life360_Dave]

Hi, heres the thing, your positive for hsv1 and amost certainly its oral from childhood. You 2 tests for hsv2 fall into the false positive range however having 2 low positives could be considered conclusive. I would take the Western Blot test for final confirmation for hsv2.