i need understanding

[seriousdoubt]

I recently recieved my Igg lab results that show >5.0 antibody level for hsv 2.....I have never had any symptoms or ever had an outbreak. is this definately genital herpes? After I got my results from my primary care I was sent to an infectious disease dr and I explained my situation and she even looked at my lab results...she said that since I was asymptomatic that I shouldn't have anything to worry about with regards to having genital herpes or passing it on...i'm soo confused!! help please!!

[gracefromHHP]

your partner shouldn't start suppressive therapy - you should.

if you avoid sex anytime you have anything going on genitally, take daily suppressive therapy with valtrex and use condoms for sex, she is 97-98% likely each year NOT to contract hsv2 from you.  pretty darn good odds right?

the type specific herpes igg blood tests don't have as much cross reaction with other herpes viruses as the older non-specific tests do ( and the igm tests ). if you need confirmation for peace of mind, get a herpes WB blood test.

[seriousdoubt]

thanks for the info Grace.  if my partner and I were to start suppressive therapy together and my partner was exposed less than 3 weeks ago, can her odds be significantly be reduced of contracting if not completely prevented?  how long before she would know if she has been infected?  also if the numbers have no meaning, then should i be retested?  maybe I am in denial, but I hate to think that I am infected and definately want to know for sure.  I read some of the handbook already and if i'm not mistaken it says that a culture from an active sore is the only way to confirm for certain that it is HSV2.  is this accurate?  the reason I ask is because in my profession i am in constant contact with people whom are sick. i am wondering if I may have been exposed to mono or one of the other strains of herpes that caused my results to be positive.  sorry, but i just want to be 100% sure.  thanks

[gracefromHHP]

the numbers really have no meaning other than positive or negative. we look at the numbers in more detail to see if additional testing is needed to confirm your status.  

I encourage you and your partner to both read the handbook and then decide together if you want to take daily suppressive therapy to reduce their odds of contracting hsv2 from you.  it's more your decision than your providers to be honest.

[seriousdoubt]

I was just starting a relationship and my partner and I wanted to have each others results.  we have only had sex twice, once protected and the other was not.  I have already informed her of what my results were and what I was told by the infectious disease dr.  what do the numbers mean? If I have high antibodies does that mean I am more or less infected if at all?  since you say that "at that level" odds are it really is a true positive, are there false positives at that level?  should I get re-tested? neither doctor has said anything about medication...should I be treated?

[gracefromHHP]

when your hsv2 is over 5, odds are it really is a true positive. we don't often see false positives at that level.  

not having any noticeable symptoms is meaningless as far as the ability to transmit the virus to another. You are just as contagious whether you have 0 ob's a year or 10 ob's a year.  

do you have a regular partner? if so, have they been tested yet?

I highly recommend reading the free herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com.  it's a terrific resource for the basics about genital herpes and will teach you almost everything you need to know.

keep asking questions!

grace