Positive HSV 1 IgG test results - what does that mean?

Question

Beginning in December 2010 I noticed burning in my vaginal area. Previous sexual encounters included receiving and giving oral sex with one long term relationship partner, skin to skin contact, and additional skin to skin contact with two other partners but no oral sex or intercourse. My most recent sexual encounter was in September 2010 and it included oral sex and skin to skin contact but no intercourse. In February I went to the doctor complaining of vaginal burning, which seemed to increase a week prior to my menstrual cycle starting. I thought it might be a bladder infection or yeast infection; however, I didn't have burning when I unrinated only after I wiped. It was not localized burning but burning that covered the general area. Also, I was on antibiotics for 10 days following an oral surgery in December so I thought it might be a yeast infection. In February, I went to my internist and she did a visual exam and said that she saw what looked like healed leisons. I didn't believe this and even asked to see what she was looking because I find it hard to believe that I would have been able to wipe open leisions without pain. I have burning, but not pain. I don't have burning on contact but more like heat and irritation after the area is distrubed. After seeing my gynocologist in May I told her my symptoms and she tested me for HSV 1 & 2. The HSV 1and 2 IgM were negative. The HSV 1 IgG results were positive. Since I didn't get a copy of the results I'm not sure if the results were actually positive or equivocal. I was tested for HSV 2 IgG and received negative results. In February, after my first visit to the doctor she put me on Valtrex for 10 days. I didn't notice much of a difference and still have the generalized "heat" burning sensations. In addition, I have anal fissures and some external hemorrhoids that come and go but have not been cultured for HSV 1 or 2. After my gynocologist visit and results of the HSV 1 she also put me on Valtrex and wants me to take it for three months to see if it makes a difference. I'm not sure if the burning I'm experiencing is a result of genital herpes or something else. I would other's opinions on these results.

cherish813 · Answer

Thanks for the responses. I'm still not sure what's going on, but I am monitoring myself and keeping track of the symptoms I experience and when they occur. I really do not like taking Valtrex because of the dizziness side effect, but will perservere in order to see if it changes any of the symptoms I've been experiencing. 

I would also like to ask if you all have any advice on how to handle relationships with a positive HSV1 test. Since I am unsure if the HSV 1 is causing genital herpes or oral herpes or nothinig at all I want to be very careful. I'm currently seeing someone and I recently shared with him that I have HSV 1. I have him the whole story regarding the symptoms I've been having and told him that I'm not sure what's going on. He still wants to date me but is concern about me spreading the virus to him. 

HSV 1 whether it is oral or genital is spread through bodily fluids, correct? Therefore, what risk would I be putting him at if we kiss and exchange saliva? Currently we are abstaining from sex but in the future if we decide to have intercourse, I know that using a condom will provide some protection but  what about the skin to skin contact with my thighs and buttocks? Also, what risk would he be at if my vaginal fluids touch his skin? Am I being overally cautious or are these things real concerns for spreading the virus to him? Thanks!

gracefromHHP · Answer

odds are this isn't genital herpes going on.   herpes symptoms wouldn't present the way you've described and they also wouldn't persist like this. Herpes itching/pain is constant during recurrences, not just after wiping.

I recommend you consult a different gyn and perhaps even a dermatologist so that they can work together to get to the bottom of what is going on in your genital area. 

grace

bobrope45 · Answer

Well, at this moment you can't be sure that you have genital herpes. Visual diagnosis by itself, specially from looking "healed lesions", might be wrong.

Since your last sexual encounter was in September, your blood tests are reliable and it seems like you are only HSV1+, not HSV2. But you can't know for sure if your HSV1 infection is oral or genital - only a swab of a lesion would tell the story.

Genital herpes won't cause burning that lasts for weeks/months, so there's probably something going on other than herpes.