interpreting HSV1&2 test results - please help

My fiancee "Mary" and I are planning to have a child.  I am 37, she is 35.  On April 12 I had blood drawn for a full spectrum of STD tests done.  Everything was normal except herpes:

Jon's 4/12/11 test
HERPES I IgG  <0.1
HERPES II IgG  2.1
HERPES 1/2 IGM 0.04

The type II result is marked positive since it's greater than 1.1.  My fiancee immediately had her own tests.  Her results were

Mary 5/3/11
Herpes I IGG
Value: 2.00(H)
Comment: "Positive" for HSV-1 IgG antibodies

Herpes II IGG
Value: 0.04
Comment: "Negative" for HSV-2 IgG antibodies

I had a re-test done
Jon 5/5/11
HERPES I IgG <0.1 (negative)
HERPES II IgG 2.8 (positive)
IGM 0.35

We have been in a monogamous relationship for 20 months, having unprotected sex for nearly that whole time.  We are planning on having a child, and are concerned that if I am infected with HSV2 and infect her during pregnancy there might be an issue with the birth or the baby.  Neither of us has or has ever had any symptoms we associate with herpes or any diagnosis of it.  

I have not been tested for herpes in the last 6 years (although I had other STD tests done on three occasions).  She had a herpes test in Jan 2009 (about 10 months before we got together) which was negative for both type 1 and 2.  Our only other history with STDs is a series of abnormal pap smears for her 7 years ago (HPV) which cleared up after 2 years, and a diagnosis of genital warts for me about 5 years ago (which was not confirmed with a biopsy or other test, but were not painful and did not burst or form a sore).  I had what seemed to be a wart two months ago, which was removed.  A biopsy of the wart revealed no sign of viral cause.

We are quite confused about how to interpret these results - if I am positive for 2 and she for 1, why has neither infected the other?  Why has neither of us ever had any symptoms?  Most importantly, what should we do?  Should I take Valtrex to minimize the risk of transmission to her?  Should we have other tests done?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I just read Dr. Handsfield's response to your post, and I completely and totally agree with what he said. I actually have little to add at all.  It was a very thorough response indeed.

You need western blot confirmation because you value falls below 3.5.  However, since you are HSV 1 negative (at least by this test), I think there is a better chance that you positive test will confirm vs if you also had HSV 1.  Actually, it wouldn't hurt to confirm her HSV 1 test as well since it falls below 3.5, too.  Hunter told you how to order the western blot.  If you have difficulty getting this done, you can call my clinic and we will assist you with this process.  

It is really common not to have symptoms of herpes and still be infected.  the idea that all herpes is symptomatic and painful is really outdated and inaccurate.  But we have only come to this information by the arrival of type specific antibody testing and studies where patients to daily home swabbing of the genital area looking for viral shedding.

If you do confirm as HSV 2 positive and she is not, then care will need to be taken as Hunter described it for you during pregnancy.  Herpes acquired in the third trimester is very dangerous, herpes going into the pregnancy far far less so.  This will be a manageable situation for the two of you, couples do it all the time, and you will safely have a child as you wish.

Please feel free to ask any further questions.

Terri