clueless about HSV

my wife is 55 years old she is a surviving non-smokers nsclc stage 4 with brain involvement. Her initial tumor was removed in 2004, lobectomy.  The point is that she has undergone substantial chemo and radiation during the treatment period.  She also was on Iressa and another similar medicine when Iressa failked its testing, Her cancer is systemic but there have been no incidents of concern nor treatments  for 3 or 4 year approximatey

That said, she recentoly had been complaining about chronic sharp and burning vaginal itching.  It first developed  almost four months ago. Jumping ahead a bit here.  SHe went to a new OBGYN practice as hers is no lkonger practicing and they have decided that she has HSV 2 .

She has taken these tests HSV 1/2 IGG  Herpeselect  type specific AB
results : HSV 1 IGG Type specific AB <0.90
HSV 2 IGG type Specific AB 1.26

Specimen source :    Vulvar
Specimen quality :    Adequate
HSV Culture :            None Isolated

her BV/Vaginitis Panel was negative (none detected) for Trichomonas, Gardnerella and Candida

First she was prescribed an estrogen type cream, it  did not bring relief then they put her on a generic for valtrex. first 1 500 mg 1 x day than after  she complained about no relief they  said take two a day.

She has now been on this therapy for maybe two weeks or so

Wanting to know if she really has HSV 2 as  diagnosed by the OBGYN she requested additional testing.  Western blott  HSWB
HSV  WB specimen  Serum

HSV result: low level of antiboidy  detected  by western blott  assay indeterminate for HSV

additional comment:  no anti body forHSV 1 detected.  Atypical reactivity was noted against proteins on the HSV-2  Western Blott.

Reactivity may or may not be  due to HSV-specific anti-body.   Fukk antibodies may take 12-16 weeks to develop especially if antivirul therapy was given.

Recommend that a convalescent  specimen be sent.  For best reults the 2 specimens should be tested together

We've been in a monogomous relationship for close to thirty 33 plus years and  both had some sexual relationships before meeting each other.

I recently  examined her as best as an educated non-medical person can observe and did not see anything significant in the way of lisions.  The OBGYN said he observed paper cut like lisions when he examined her.  

As a point of information my wife would scratch  a bite or something that itches to the point of bleeding sometimes






SHe continues

[gracefromHHP]

at this point you need tested to see what your status is. if you are hsv2 negative, she should wait a few months and repeat her herpes WB. They will compare the 2 wb's to make a better determination of her status.   If her provider sees any further signs of herpes, they can repeat her lesion cultures too to try to confirm her status.  Honestly no good reason at this point for her to be taking valtrex.

It can take months for the topical estrogen to work. How long has she been using it?

grace