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Possible HSV 2

Hello, I am very concerned with my results from the doctor about my HSV-2. I was Tested for HSV-1 Type I IgG-7.98 positive and HSV-2 TypeII 2.98, both done with Herpes select test. I also Had a Herpes Simplex IGM AB 0.83. My doctor stays I am positive gential herpes not from a recent infection. Nothing has changed in my life in a year and 5 months. I got  1st HIV check, STD check 6 months after sex with my boyfriend November 8th 2011, no herpes test performed though. Everything was negative. This is my yearly check up November 2013, I had HIV test done, STD check and this time HSV1&2 test done. I asked for this because we decided to split because I was moving out of State to go to college; and he decided to stay back home close to his family, Said washington State was too far. Well I asked Doctor if I was truly positive for HSV-2, why were my range numbers low? She said the numbers were not low, and that the herpes select test was very accurate. I am just really confused. I'm thinking that the test probably cross referenced and picked up on HSV-1 results. The doctor said that wasn't possible. I know this is a Herpes forum, but hear me out. I had took a Lupus test back 2010, results came back positive...Went to see Rheumo, he was certain I didn't have Lupus states it's on bordeline, and wanted me to retest in 3 months. Well I did, 3 months, negative for Lupus, and 6 months negative for Lupus. So if those test can give false positive results, how come this herpes issue I'm experiencing be a false positive. I do believe I have HSV-1, I get really bad fever blisters around my mouth during my monthly cycle, but I have not had any signs down below in my va-jay jay area. I know that some ppl don't have symptoms, I just think if I was truly positive, the numbers would be like 3.6, 4.0 and up. .90 range..low to me is 1.0-3.0. just my opinion. I don't know much about Herpes, but the numbers I have 2.98 are not adding up for a true positive diagnoses for HSV-2.
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101028 tn?1419603004
I really don't know of anything I could add. Perhaps pay to post to Terri Warren, our herpes expert here on medhelp or call her clinic to pay for a telephone consult for better help?
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Avatar universal
Really have you ever heard of a situation like this, my situation? The doctors haven't. This is what one doctor said, oh maybe you contacted it gentially from oral sex, but as you kept having intercourse with your partner it turned into hsv 2 and I became asymptomatic. REALLY??? Or do they really still not know enough about the virus and are just coming up with crap. I'm going to see a naturopath doctor... Maybe he or she can shed some light on this.. Oh, I forgot one minor detail. I use the steam room at the YMCA, the women sometimes enter naked at sit in the steam room. Is it possible to have picked it up from in there? I did pick up a wart on my foot from walking around bare foot in there. Just out of curiosity. I'm trying to make sense of this..
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Avatar universal
I guess at this point, ill just be careful. I don't plan on having sex anymore with a human, maybe a toy. Maybe I'm just a carrier, still even so, I had to pick it up from someone, but my 5 someone's are all confirmed WB negative...what the heck?? How..  I am just sitting here shaking my head. Science, I don't understand it, but I do understand God telling me to sit my butt down, sex is for marriage only. I get it God I really do.
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Avatar universal
Also Mrs Grace. Last sexual encounter was 6 months ago. Since this is suppose to be a past infection, how can all encounters be negative confirmed WB for partners but positive for me. So, the only theory I came up with is I gave it to myself. Very puzzled by this... Very very puzzled. My mom said I had a severe horrible case of chicken pox when I was a kid, all over my body and genital areas, hands and feet. I remember, it was bad bad. She use to put baking soda in my but and private area. I was in Mrs Kennedy class 3rd grade. Just another piece of info I also have NEVER BEEN RAPED. So, Mrs. Grace, what is your take on this? Now the WB just said positive for both, but the herpeselect test said 2.98...
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Avatar universal
Update, WB came back positive for hsv1 and 2. I'm in the dark. Partners negative for both confirmed with WB except for ex. He was confirmed positive  for hsv 1 by both immunoblot and WB. Took all partners lab work to doctor with me... Dr. MaCallister could not explain. I haven't done **** else. My hsv 2 was 2.98. Can you explain, I have never performed orally without having intercourse. I can understand the hsv 1 orally given genitally, help me understand the hsv 2 please.. Just does not make sense. I also think my incidents were I thought I was getting crack sores from wiping too hard is now confirmed herpes, but the interesting thing is I have NEVER DID THE BUTT THING SEX. I have gotten ate out there. Excuse me for giving too much info, but I need help understanding this. I figure the sores that I have there are from hsv 1. That's the only explanation I can come up with since partners are negative for hsv 2. It's no way to have this positive hsv 2 magically appear. Confused...
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101028 tn?1419603004
there is a difference between type and site. You can have either type of herpes in either location. It isn't automatically hsv1 just because it's orally - you can contract hsv1 orally or genitally.

confirm your status and go from there. don't drive yourself nuts with wondering if everything in the past has been herpes or not!!

If you are itchy now, be seen and get properly tested for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally. I know it's a hard week to go to a clinic if you are in the US so if the itching isn't driving you nuts, it's ok to wait until next week to follow up on the itching.
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Avatar universal
Interesting Mrs. Grace, my lab report from PACLAB has herpes select Immunoblot performed, now I'm concerned if the ppl who ran the test knew what he or she was doing.. Just say if I have HSV-2, what advice would you give me. The most important thing I should know about transmission. I am cutting sex all together. Honestly, I don't even have the appetite for it. So, I will not be passing it to partners....Before I had the test done. I was engaging in Oral Sex with my partner. Is HSV-1 considered gential herpes of the mouth? I know I sound everywhere, but I am. I am starting to notice symptoms previously years back or maybe its all in my head. My genital area has been itchy. Feels almost as if I am getting a yeast infection. I have gotten them before, but after reading about the signs of herpes it seem like I could have possibly been getting the symptoms mixed up. Maybe it was herpes instead of yeast infection. I also have itching in my anal area. It gets sweaty or moist there then the itching began. I've had sores in that area, but mainly after I have had diarrhea and wiped to make sure it was really really clean, then I would get in shower and wash really hard there with cloth. I thought that is what the sores was from the wiping, but what if it was really from HSV-2. I also have had that same thing happen in my vaginal area without the diarrhea from there. (: I used some soap that gave me a rash down there, I went to GYN she said it was dermatitis and dry skin. She said it was no concern and to stop using soaps with fragrances. She gave me hydrocortisone. Could it be that I had HSV-2 then and it just went misdiagnosed? I just need to relax. What do you think of my Symptoms. Again my results were HSV-1 7.98 and HSV-2 2.98 both positive.
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101028 tn?1419603004
the immunoblot has the same false positive issues as the elisa  based herpeselect however you didn't have the immunoblot done. it only returns with a + or -, not numeric results.

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Avatar universal
Mrs. Grace
Hey, I've made an error on which test that was initially performed to check for herpes 2. The test performed was the HerpesSelect Immunoblot, not the HerpesSelect ELSA. I am now confused, as the HerpesSelect Immunoblot is suppose to be as accurate as the Western Blot test. With that being said, was it worth it to even go and do WB testing? Should I just accept that I have HSV-2 2.98 positive with NO SYMPTOMS? I am so confused... Please help, I also looked up the CDC info for the low positive range 1.10-3.5 to get second confirmation info to show to my family practice Dr. the one who didn't listen to me, and I could not find it.
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101028 tn?1419603004
no the WB for herpes isn't FDA approved. it's still considered the gold standard of herpes blood testing and has been around for over 30 years now I believe.  only one lab in the US does the WB for herpes and they've just never bothered to go for approval to market it all over US.

the biokit is a replacement for the much better known pockit test that is no longer being made. the biokit is used for hsv1 and hsv2 both throughout the world.  even though it can be done in any clinic, most clinics don't use it unless they have an accredited lab on site for what I guess is legality reasons.
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Avatar universal
I will make sure I update my results. I have a question... Is the Western Blot test FDA approved. I've read that the only testing for HSV1 and 2 are the IGG test, PCR, and IGM..It doesn't state anything about the Western Blot or Biotest Kit  being approved for testing for HSV Type I or Type specific II . Could this be the reason why so many providers aren't familar with those additional tests?
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101028 tn?1419603004
the itching isn't due to herpes. could be something as simple as dry skin that your anxiety is making you itch more than usual.

as far as your oral herpes, for infants, don't kiss them on the lips or eyes and don't "clean" a pacifier by putting it in your mouth. other than that, really no precautions to take that you aren't already taking - when you are otherwise ill, don't kiss the kids on the eyes or lips. It really is that easy :)  You aren't a biohazard and you don't need bleach!!! You can still share food and drinks too once they are over about a year old.  

I'm glad you found a provider who was willing to learn from you and has ordered you the right testing :)  It takes 2-3 weeks to get the WB results back and they will be just a + or -, no numbers.

stop back and update your post when you get results!!!
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Avatar universal
Mrs. Grace,
I went to a GYN Dr. MacAllister, yesterday late that evening for the Western Blot. At first she was in denial and positive that I had HSV-2, but after I told her what I read on MedHelp forums from the community and Doctors forum, she stated that she would have her nurse research it and then we could do the testing. As I continued to talk to her she was very silent, but was typing on her computer. I thought she was notating my comments. However, that wasn't the case, she was researching med help for confirmation of what I was telling her. Very impressed I was. She said she would call UW for more info, I thought we were about to wrap up our conversation, as we were doing so, I guess her amazing educated mind couldn't let go of my info, what do you know she looked up test at Good SAM hospital lab, and found HSV western blot. She immediately ordered the test. She also agreed that she think the IGG can cross reference with HSV-2 if you have a high postive HSV-1 and vice versa. I was very happy that my second time around I found a doctor who listened to me, and researched with me. I went to lab to have blood drawn at hospital, and the lab knew exactly what to do, red tube, and had to be froze and shipped on ice. Now I'm patiently waiting on results. I am praying that my gut is right. My question for you Mrs. Grace, why do I feel itchy all over my body now? Could it be stress? During this stressful moment, I've developed a pimple on my face and right side of my buttocks, not blister filled or painful, but red raised almost look like a bug bite, STRANGE!!! Am I having my first breakout or is this all in my head?
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your input. I really appreciate it. I'm trying to relax. It's just so hard to do during this moment. Oh, question? Should I have my kids tested for HSV-1?
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Avatar universal
The best thing you can do for yourself right now is try to relax; everything will work out just fine.

Regarding your first question on HSV-1, it is unlikely you passed it to your kids. In almost all incidents, if not all, HSV-1 is acquired through skin to skin contact and very rarely is it spread through objects such as drinking glasses or spoons. To take proper precaution, I would avoid letting them drink out of the same glass you drink out of until it's washed. The same applies with spoons and forks. As long as you're not putting the spoon in your mouth and then immediately putting it in their mouth, you are not going to spread HSV-1 to them. Even if you did that scenario, the chance of spreading it to them that way is rare because HSV-1 is spread through skin-to-skin contact. You don't need to purchase them separate dishes or eating utensils; just do things normally (i.e. when you're finished eating/drinking put it in the dish washer).

HSV-1 is really not a big deal; somewhere between 57-80% of Americans carry HSV-1, and only around 10-15% of us make it out of life without acquiring it. You're being really hard on yourself for something that is not your fault; we are human, and humans kiss. You really don't need to be done with kissing, FreeC. There is over a 50% chance that your next partner will already have HSV-1 and you can't give him the same virus twice. To conclude, you are being extremely hard on yourself for a mild virus that over half of the population carries. I know the initial shock of having HSV-1 might seem like it a big deal, but it really isn't, and should not have any impact on your life. Feel free to ask more questions!

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Avatar universal
Mrs. Grace thank you for your response. It is hard getting providers to listen to you. My doctor argued me up and down, I tried to explain the incident of the Lupus results, trying to make a comparison. She flipped and stated that I should not be in denial It happens, and to be lucky its not HIV, and to move foward with my life. My feelings is hurt because I trust her as a provider, I had faith that she would listen to her patient (me) I guess I was somewhat wrong or like you say, some Doctors are just not updated on testing knowldge. I was blessed and found this site. I am seeming to get more educated here of herpes. Thanks for ppl like you for being an ear and reaching out to others like myself; sharing your knowledge of Herpes, and STD's with us. I heard of  Western Blot here in Washington State at UW through other forums here. My doctor said she has never heard of it for HSV only for HIV. I am seeking additional testing from a different doctor. My gut feeling is telling me to do so. Question about HSV-1, I think I may have passed it to my kids. I let them drink after me all the time. I feel like a horrible horrible mom, Should I bleach my dishes or purchase them seperate spoons or forks. It's probably to late for all that now. What other health precautions should I take?  I'm done with sex and kissing. I would rather buy a toy.. Something I should have done years ago. This is all too much to take in. To think, I thought I was being extra extra careful when making the choice to be intimate. I guess I wasn't, seems even the use of condoms is not safe. I've had 5 unprotected sex incidents through my entire 33 years of life. I know it's alot, but I was a naive fool in my younger days.
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101028 tn?1419603004
your hsv2 igg is a low positive and indeed does need confirmed with further testing.  since you aren't having obvious genital lesions to culture, seeking out a herpes WB is the next course of action.

yoru provider really needs to update their herpes testing knowledge too. the false positive issues are well known. encourage them to call the fine folks at quest labs - they will give them a good update on it all :)

grace
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Avatar universal
I mean I had my yearly Nov, 13, 2012. Not November 2013.. so My first STD's test Nov. 8, 2011, but no herpes test performed, My most recent on Nov. 13, 2012. Sorry to confuse you all, I will make sure to proof read in the future.
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