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Please help! Need to be sure. Doctor says negative result is accurate, wife does not believe this to be accurate. I need help figuring out what has happened and if I should still be concerned...
Hello. I am seeking help/advice here as a last resort to make sure I am not missing something... I have already done research on the topic, and have spoken with my primary care physician about this in detail...
I was tested in early 2009 for Herpes, after my wife returned a positive test result. My wife believes I was unfaithful, even though the fact is that I have without a doubt NEVER been with anyone other than my wife (in any way -no touching, no kissing, no oral anything, no intercourse, no NOTHING with anyone but my wife) since the day I met her.
I have never had a physical symptom of any type of Herpes. I only sought out the test after my wife's test came back positive for HSV-2 (a result that surprised ME too!)... (I already knew she had oral HSV (presumably type 1) because she has always gotten cold sores under stress or after excessive exposure to the sun on her lips... But HSV-2?! She has never ever shown a symptom of genital herpes, at least, not on her genitals.)
I was actually scared initially that I would be positive simply because my wife tested positive, and we always have unprotected sex whenever we do "it"... However, I was greatly relieved when my test results came back negative. The tests performed were HSV antibody blood tests administered by LabCorp. -Both the IgM ("method one") and the IgG ("method two") antibody tests were run, and BOTH came back as negative. -The result for "method one" was 0.39, which is well below the 0.9 required to even be considered as "equivocal". The result for "method two" simply states "<0.9" -which is clearly noted as a negative result also.
I spoke with my doctor again recently, because my wife claimed to me that during her recent visit to his office, he told her something different than his office assistant told me originally when my test results came back last year... During this most recent visit, my doctor (primary care physician) personally told me in very specific terms that my result last April was negative, and as far as he is concerned, at the time I took the test I did NOT have either HSV-1 or HSV-2. "Period."
He further went on to tell me that even in asymptomatic cases, once a person has been exposed, it takes only 1 to 2 weeks for antibodies to show up -even though the virus may lay dormant for YEARS inside you without any outward sign of symptoms. -I have, however, seen some conflicting information about the topic of asymptomatic/dormant cases when I looked around online... Some sites seem to imply that a dormant case may exist and simultaneously show no antibodies in the host person because the virus has not become active to require antibody production yet... I am confused about that possibility due to the seemingly conflicting information out there. Nevertheless, I honestly have no time frame to reference other than the point at which my wife tested positive. For all I know, she may have been positive for years.
When I questioned the doctor about any need for re-testing me, he stated that the IgM/IgG testing he ordered for me is the most effective HSV test method he knows (99% accuracy on negative test results is what he stated to me), and he did not feel there was any more need for additional testing. When I explained the situation, he agreed to re-test me, and I am now awaiting those results... However, since my wife and I have continued to have unprotected sex together (and neither of us have shown any symptoms of genital herpes -except for a strange spot that comes and goes on my wife's buttocks from time to time), I would really like to get back to the most basic answer related to my ORIGINAL test results from last year.... I.e. can I PROVE that my first blood test was reliable and accurate? Is there anything MORE I should have done??
I know for a fact that I have been completely faithful (physically) to my wife, throughout our entire marriage and prior dating relationship. Unfortunately, at one time about a year ago, I behaved in ways that broke her trust in me, so therefore she does not believe me and she is absolutely convinced that my last test was somehow a false negative. This is compounded with the fact that my wife tested positive for HSV-2 last year after supposedly testing negative before giving birth to our youngest child, and my wife is now convinced that I have been unfaithful regardless of my negative test results saying otherwise...
Frankly, I am now somewhat concerned about the possibility of contracting HSV-2 from her. Now that I have realized that she could be contagious even when not showing any physical symptoms, the issue has been worrying me greatly and I cannot even talk with my wife about it. In my heart I keep wishing that her recent result was somehow a false positive, but it was such a strong result that I'm not sure how possible that is.
Aside from that though, I need to know- how can we determine how accurate the testing was that was done on my wife several years ago when she was pregnant? I have looked through all the paperwork she has at home, and there is NO clear indication of the type of test performed, nor is there any indication of the numerical results of that test... The only thing I found is a generic "screening" test that was done , as well as some vaginal swab testing that came back negative right before she gave birth. Since my wife has had plenty of experience in the sexual relations arena prior to when she and I met each other, I have to wonder if perhaps she hasn't had HSV-2 all along. I do NOT think she has been unfaithful, but I DO wonder if perhaps SHE is the one who had a false negative result in her pre-screening test when she was pregnant... After all, I know for a fact that she already had HSV orally for as long as I've known her -yet her "pregnancy screening" blood test results do NOT even indicate HSV-1 presence. Therefore, how accurate could that screening (blood) test possibly have been when it didn't even pick up the oral HSV she already had? -I understand that the vaginal swab came back negative, but that makes sense! She has never had any vaginal symptoms of any form of STD to my knowledge, so of course a swab would also be negative... But what about this supposed blood test, for which I cannot even find any clear results in her paperwork? Is it possible that my wife has had HSV-2 all this time and it was simply missed during her prenatal blood work?? To me, it seems like that possibility is far more likely given the lack of clear evidence to the contrary than the possibility of my IgG and IgM results somehow being a false negative.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this; I know it is long. Any advice, thoughts, etc, are greatly appreciated.
I was tested in early 2009 for Herpes, after my wife returned a positive test result. My wife believes I was unfaithful, even though the fact is that I have without a doubt NEVER been with anyone other than my wife (in any way -no touching, no kissing, no oral anything, no intercourse, no NOTHING with anyone but my wife) since the day I met her.
I have never had a physical symptom of any type of Herpes. I only sought out the test after my wife's test came back positive for HSV-2 (a result that surprised ME too!)... (I already knew she had oral HSV (presumably type 1) because she has always gotten cold sores under stress or after excessive exposure to the sun on her lips... But HSV-2?! She has never ever shown a symptom of genital herpes, at least, not on her genitals.)
I was actually scared initially that I would be positive simply because my wife tested positive, and we always have unprotected sex whenever we do "it"... However, I was greatly relieved when my test results came back negative. The tests performed were HSV antibody blood tests administered by LabCorp. -Both the IgM ("method one") and the IgG ("method two") antibody tests were run, and BOTH came back as negative. -The result for "method one" was 0.39, which is well below the 0.9 required to even be considered as "equivocal". The result for "method two" simply states "<0.9" -which is clearly noted as a negative result also.
I spoke with my doctor again recently, because my wife claimed to me that during her recent visit to his office, he told her something different than his office assistant told me originally when my test results came back last year... During this most recent visit, my doctor (primary care physician) personally told me in very specific terms that my result last April was negative, and as far as he is concerned, at the time I took the test I did NOT have either HSV-1 or HSV-2. "Period."
He further went on to tell me that even in asymptomatic cases, once a person has been exposed, it takes only 1 to 2 weeks for antibodies to show up -even though the virus may lay dormant for YEARS inside you without any outward sign of symptoms. -I have, however, seen some conflicting information about the topic of asymptomatic/dormant cases when I looked around online... Some sites seem to imply that a dormant case may exist and simultaneously show no antibodies in the host person because the virus has not become active to require antibody production yet... I am confused about that possibility due to the seemingly conflicting information out there. Nevertheless, I honestly have no time frame to reference other than the point at which my wife tested positive. For all I know, she may have been positive for years.
When I questioned the doctor about any need for re-testing me, he stated that the IgM/IgG testing he ordered for me is the most effective HSV test method he knows (99% accuracy on negative test results is what he stated to me), and he did not feel there was any more need for additional testing. When I explained the situation, he agreed to re-test me, and I am now awaiting those results... However, since my wife and I have continued to have unprotected sex together (and neither of us have shown any symptoms of genital herpes -except for a strange spot that comes and goes on my wife's buttocks from time to time), I would really like to get back to the most basic answer related to my ORIGINAL test results from last year.... I.e. can I PROVE that my first blood test was reliable and accurate? Is there anything MORE I should have done??
I know for a fact that I have been completely faithful (physically) to my wife, throughout our entire marriage and prior dating relationship. Unfortunately, at one time about a year ago, I behaved in ways that broke her trust in me, so therefore she does not believe me and she is absolutely convinced that my last test was somehow a false negative. This is compounded with the fact that my wife tested positive for HSV-2 last year after supposedly testing negative before giving birth to our youngest child, and my wife is now convinced that I have been unfaithful regardless of my negative test results saying otherwise...
Frankly, I am now somewhat concerned about the possibility of contracting HSV-2 from her. Now that I have realized that she could be contagious even when not showing any physical symptoms, the issue has been worrying me greatly and I cannot even talk with my wife about it. In my heart I keep wishing that her recent result was somehow a false positive, but it was such a strong result that I'm not sure how possible that is.
Aside from that though, I need to know- how can we determine how accurate the testing was that was done on my wife several years ago when she was pregnant? I have looked through all the paperwork she has at home, and there is NO clear indication of the type of test performed, nor is there any indication of the numerical results of that test... The only thing I found is a generic "screening" test that was done , as well as some vaginal swab testing that came back negative right before she gave birth. Since my wife has had plenty of experience in the sexual relations arena prior to when she and I met each other, I have to wonder if perhaps she hasn't had HSV-2 all along. I do NOT think she has been unfaithful, but I DO wonder if perhaps SHE is the one who had a false negative result in her pre-screening test when she was pregnant... After all, I know for a fact that she already had HSV orally for as long as I've known her -yet her "pregnancy screening" blood test results do NOT even indicate HSV-1 presence. Therefore, how accurate could that screening (blood) test possibly have been when it didn't even pick up the oral HSV she already had? -I understand that the vaginal swab came back negative, but that makes sense! She has never had any vaginal symptoms of any form of STD to my knowledge, so of course a swab would also be negative... But what about this supposed blood test, for which I cannot even find any clear results in her paperwork? Is it possible that my wife has had HSV-2 all this time and it was simply missed during her prenatal blood work?? To me, it seems like that possibility is far more likely given the lack of clear evidence to the contrary than the possibility of my IgG and IgM results somehow being a false negative.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this; I know it is long. Any advice, thoughts, etc, are greatly appreciated.
they are still doing all the wrong testing on you but your combined igg is negative twice so it isn't something you brought into the relationship.
at this point the proverbial ball is in your wife's court. She can keep blaming you and being miserable ( and making you miserable ) or she can follow up on this properly and get to the bottom of it. She needs additional blood testing to confirm her status. She needs to follow up on her rash the next time she has it with a dermatologist. If it's determined she really is hsv2 + from additional testing, she had it prior to meeting you and just never knew it.
grace
grace
at this point the proverbial ball is in your wife's court. She can keep blaming you and being miserable ( and making you miserable ) or she can follow up on this properly and get to the bottom of it. She needs additional blood testing to confirm her status. She needs to follow up on her rash the next time she has it with a dermatologist. If it's determined she really is hsv2 + from additional testing, she had it prior to meeting you and just never knew it.
grace
grace
Hi Grace. I got my test results back (already :)
The tests performed were HSV I/II combined IgG as well as IgM.
Looks like when I originally stated my test results, I swapped tests with the respective results, so to clarify:
My first test results from 4/2009=
0.39 IgM result where ratio = 0.00-0.90 (negative is 1.09.
<0.9 IgG result where index = 0.0 - 0.8 (negative is 1.0
My second test results from 2/2010=
0.36 IgM result where ratio = 0.00-0.90 (negative is 1.09.
<0.9 IgG result where index = 0.0 - 0.8 (negative is 1.0
These tests were performed by LabCorp, if that is of any relevance.
Basically what I am reading is that I have now tested negative twice. My doctor has confirmed to me that I am definitely negative and there is no way I have HSV in his opinion.
My wife still seems to believe that I somehow brought this into our marriage, no matter what evidence is presented proving the opposite. She has asked me not to discuss her own test results any further, so my hands are now tied in that regard. Hopefully she will take the initiative to go find out if she was actually tested in a reliable manner both prenatally as well as recently.
If you have any other advice or opinions regarding my own test results, I would appreciate any feedback you may have.
Thank you for your help!
The tests performed were HSV I/II combined IgG as well as IgM.
Looks like when I originally stated my test results, I swapped tests with the respective results, so to clarify:
My first test results from 4/2009=
0.39 IgM result where ratio = 0.00-0.90 (negative is 1.09.
<0.9 IgG result where index = 0.0 - 0.8 (negative is 1.0
My second test results from 2/2010=
0.36 IgM result where ratio = 0.00-0.90 (negative is 1.09.
<0.9 IgG result where index = 0.0 - 0.8 (negative is 1.0
These tests were performed by LabCorp, if that is of any relevance.
Basically what I am reading is that I have now tested negative twice. My doctor has confirmed to me that I am definitely negative and there is no way I have HSV in his opinion.
My wife still seems to believe that I somehow brought this into our marriage, no matter what evidence is presented proving the opposite. She has asked me not to discuss her own test results any further, so my hands are now tied in that regard. Hopefully she will take the initiative to go find out if she was actually tested in a reliable manner both prenatally as well as recently.
If you have any other advice or opinions regarding my own test results, I would appreciate any feedback you may have.
Thank you for your help!
your wife's hsv2 igg is a low positive and needs confirmed with further testing. her choices are, get a herpes WB blood test done or wait until she has lesions again and get them cultured for herpes. depends on how big of a hurry you two are in to get to the bottom of all of this.
grace
grace
Hello again Grace. Thank you for the advice. We actually have had sex in the past when she has had the spot present on her buttocks, although it was covered up with a band aid I think. I guess we will have to be more careful about that if it does turn out to be HSV 2 causing that spot.
I still can't find my copy of my test results from last year, and when I called my doctor to ask them for the relevant information, they told me I must come in to speak with them about the test... Since I already have taken another test for which I am awaiting results, I figure I'll wait until those come in, and get copies of both results at the same time... That may be another week or two.
I did, however, find my wife's copy of her (recent) test results while I was digging for mine. Here is that information:
HSV I/II IgG, Combined Value = 68.9 Reference range: Positive > 1.0
HSV 1 IgG, Type Specific Value = 4.72 Reference range: Positive > 1.09
HSV 2 IgG, Type Specific Value = 1.85 Reference range: Positive > 1.09
I still have not found any evidence of an actual HSV 1 or 2 blood test having been performed on my wife during or before her pregnancy years ago... I am inclined to think that she was never actually tested for HSV during her pregnancy even though she is absolutely adamant that she was tested.
Thanks again. I will reply back with specifics about the type of testing I had done previously, as well as results from my more recent test, as soon as I have that information available.
I still can't find my copy of my test results from last year, and when I called my doctor to ask them for the relevant information, they told me I must come in to speak with them about the test... Since I already have taken another test for which I am awaiting results, I figure I'll wait until those come in, and get copies of both results at the same time... That may be another week or two.
I did, however, find my wife's copy of her (recent) test results while I was digging for mine. Here is that information:
HSV I/II IgG, Combined Value = 68.9 Reference range: Positive > 1.0
HSV 1 IgG, Type Specific Value = 4.72 Reference range: Positive > 1.09
HSV 2 IgG, Type Specific Value = 1.85 Reference range: Positive > 1.09
I still have not found any evidence of an actual HSV 1 or 2 blood test having been performed on my wife during or before her pregnancy years ago... I am inclined to think that she was never actually tested for HSV during her pregnancy even though she is absolutely adamant that she was tested.
Thanks again. I will reply back with specifics about the type of testing I had done previously, as well as results from my more recent test, as soon as I have that information available.
the buttocks symptoms sound exactly like genital herpes going on. next time she has it, she should be seen within 48 hours for a lesion culture to confirm. when she has buttock lesions, you should be avoiding sex. lesions on the buttocks also mean shedding from the anogenital area at the same time in most instances.
odds are your wife was never properly tested for herpes until she had the blood test done the other year to know that she was infected.
grace
odds are your wife was never properly tested for herpes until she had the blood test done the other year to know that she was infected.
grace
Thank you. I will try to find my wife's test results and post the numbers back here. This may be difficult since she has collected all the paperwork up and put it away somewhere - I will have to do a little digging.
No, I am not sure my wife was actually (blood) tested for HSV1/HSV2 as part of her prenatal screening. Her paperwork shows no indication of that, only a vaginal swab/culture (which makes sense to double check for no active transmittable infections down there prior to child birth)... My wife, however, is adamant that she was tested and it was negative... So far, she has been unable to produce those results to me. The only results I have seen are the ones from the testing she had done last year after she became concerned that I had been unfaithful and did not believe me when I told her that I most certainly had not been with anyone but her.
As for my testing, I am pretty sure it was a combined HSV IgG test but I don't have the paperwork in front of me right now. I will double check with my doctor and make sure I have the specific test information to report back here.
It is very unlikely that I have ever been exposed to any STDs prior to my wife, because I was technically a virgin when we met (I had not even received oral sex from anyone at that point in my life -i.e. my wife is the only person in this world with which I have shared these sort of sexual experiences, so the chances are slim that I brought any STD into my marriage). Yes, I had kissed passionately, and given oral to two different women on separate occasions, and even almost gone all the way twice if not for performance anxiety issues (embarrassing subject, but unfortunately true)... So the potential was of course there, but I have never had any STD symptoms to speak of and therefore was never concerned with being tested for anything...
I do not wish to get into specifics of what I know of my wife's past, but I know that she has had several partners throughout her lifetime (in addition to the two long term ones with whom she had children prior to meeting me), and I know she has had unprotected sex with at least one who had an "accident" inside her during a brief relationship she had with him prior to meeting me. Clearly, she had many opportunities to have contracted HSV2 prior to our marriage, but in any case the thing that is important to note is that the only sign of HSV she has ever shown is fever blisters on her mouth. --There is one spot that showed up on her buttocks about 2.5 years ago, a small irregular shaped patch that turned red at first, then formed a bunch of small blisters. She thought is was some sort of fungus and started treating it with lamisil... It went away after about 5 days. It returned maybe 3 times since then, but each time it returned, it never got as bad... only reddish skin, bumpy and slightly speckled like tiny chicken pox on her pores, but no more blisters... Each time, it has been painful for her though... Each time, she immediately started using lamisil and it would seem to go away after 3 to 5 days. I am thinking that this could possibly be HSV on her buttocks, but since she has never gone to the doctor to get it swabbed/tested, that is impossible to know.
Anyhow, thanks for your help. I will reply back as soon as I can with at least my specific test information. Hopefully I can gather more details on my wife's testing as well.
No, I am not sure my wife was actually (blood) tested for HSV1/HSV2 as part of her prenatal screening. Her paperwork shows no indication of that, only a vaginal swab/culture (which makes sense to double check for no active transmittable infections down there prior to child birth)... My wife, however, is adamant that she was tested and it was negative... So far, she has been unable to produce those results to me. The only results I have seen are the ones from the testing she had done last year after she became concerned that I had been unfaithful and did not believe me when I told her that I most certainly had not been with anyone but her.
As for my testing, I am pretty sure it was a combined HSV IgG test but I don't have the paperwork in front of me right now. I will double check with my doctor and make sure I have the specific test information to report back here.
It is very unlikely that I have ever been exposed to any STDs prior to my wife, because I was technically a virgin when we met (I had not even received oral sex from anyone at that point in my life -i.e. my wife is the only person in this world with which I have shared these sort of sexual experiences, so the chances are slim that I brought any STD into my marriage). Yes, I had kissed passionately, and given oral to two different women on separate occasions, and even almost gone all the way twice if not for performance anxiety issues (embarrassing subject, but unfortunately true)... So the potential was of course there, but I have never had any STD symptoms to speak of and therefore was never concerned with being tested for anything...
I do not wish to get into specifics of what I know of my wife's past, but I know that she has had several partners throughout her lifetime (in addition to the two long term ones with whom she had children prior to meeting me), and I know she has had unprotected sex with at least one who had an "accident" inside her during a brief relationship she had with him prior to meeting me. Clearly, she had many opportunities to have contracted HSV2 prior to our marriage, but in any case the thing that is important to note is that the only sign of HSV she has ever shown is fever blisters on her mouth. --There is one spot that showed up on her buttocks about 2.5 years ago, a small irregular shaped patch that turned red at first, then formed a bunch of small blisters. She thought is was some sort of fungus and started treating it with lamisil... It went away after about 5 days. It returned maybe 3 times since then, but each time it returned, it never got as bad... only reddish skin, bumpy and slightly speckled like tiny chicken pox on her pores, but no more blisters... Each time, it has been painful for her though... Each time, she immediately started using lamisil and it would seem to go away after 3 to 5 days. I am thinking that this could possibly be HSV on her buttocks, but since she has never gone to the doctor to get it swabbed/tested, that is impossible to know.
Anyhow, thanks for your help. I will reply back as soon as I can with at least my specific test information. Hopefully I can gather more details on my wife's testing as well.
I can best help if you can get your wife's blood test results to post here. all i need to see are the numeric results - ie hsv1 igg 4.4 and hsv2 igg 3.8 or whatever they are. that way we can be sure that she was properly tested and doesn't need any further testing to rule out false positives on herself since she hasn't had any obvious genital lesions. also are you sure she was tested during pregnancy? hsv testing isn't typically a part of routine pregnancy testing and just a lesion culture isn't always very accurate when negative.
As for yourself, did you have specific test results for hsv1 and hsv2 or just the combined hsv igg that gave you one result for both? I was a bit confused about that part of your post.
If you had had hsv2 prior to meeting her, you would've tested + on the blood test. you've tested negative so her hsv2 is something she had prior to meeting you unless she's had other partners.
grace
As for yourself, did you have specific test results for hsv1 and hsv2 or just the combined hsv igg that gave you one result for both? I was a bit confused about that part of your post.
If you had had hsv2 prior to meeting her, you would've tested + on the blood test. you've tested negative so her hsv2 is something she had prior to meeting you unless she's had other partners.
grace
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
