positive for hsv-1 - high igg level

[gethealthy1972]

I'm getting confusing info. I had two possible exposures. 3 weeks after the first and 1 week after the second (both kissing) I had a sore spot under my tongue. I thought it was a canker, but I suppose it could have been a popped blister. It lasted for about a week. I've had sores before as long as I can remember, but I've always thought of them a cankers, not fluid filled blisters, since they are usually white pits and painful.

5 weeks after first exposure (3 weeks after second) I decided to get a full set of std tests and came back positive for HSV-1. Forgive me if I get terminology wrong, but it was an IGg test for HSV-1 antibodies, with a level of 41.

Since the positive test, I have suddenly become of aware of "prodrome" symptoms such as tingling on my nose and face. But I can't say for certain that I've never had it - I often rub my nose and scratch my face for various itches and tingles, but I've never thought twice about it.

The only other thing I can add is that I did get a single small white fluid filled pimple on the top of my nose and the same under my nose 6 weeks after 1st exposure. I've had pimples on my nose and under my nose before, so I can't say it is different than before or more of the same. There was no "weeping" or crusting over  they just went away after a couple of days. The tingling that I noticed lasted from 6 weeks after exposure to this week - so about 3 weeks total. I still occasionally get a tingle - especially if  I think about it.

I have been told by one source that such a high IGg level means a long term chronic infection that couldn't have happened as recently as 5 weeks before the test. Others tell me that is not the case.

Can anyone shed some light on what such a high level of antibodies could means in light of the info above? I know there is no definite answer, but anything will be appreciated. Just trying to get multiple opinions (or the same opinion from multiple sources :^) ).

Thanks!

[gethealthy1972]

My friend - thanks for taking time to bring some comfort to the community!

Regarding primary infection - is it necessary for infection to occur through a break in the skin or through one of the mucos membranes? Or is it possible to get infected through normal unbroken skin where it touches a blister/lesion/pus/saliva on another person?

I also ask the same question for spreading infection to other parts of one's own body... Like I said, I've often scratched my face and been careless touching other parts of my body after (not knowing about the the HSV-1 infection if it is indeed an old infection)

[feelingundone]

It enters through  a break in the skin or membranes like you said. Very thin skin like on the penis shaft or vagina are sustainable. Now that being said you won't spread it to other areas of your body. The antibodies you have do a good job keeping the virus in check.
I really believe your hsv1 infection to be a well established infection. No need to worry. Just avoid kissing and giving oral sex when you get a cold sore.(if you get a cold sore)
Remember over half the adult population has hsv1 so if your partner gets cold sores then you won't pass your infection along to any part of their anatomy.

[gethealthy1972]

Thanks for the response. As a follow up question, the symptoms that I began to notice did happen within 10 days of the second exposure - that would be the sore under my tongue. The tingling and eventual blisters (or maybe they were just anxiety and pimples?) would have been about 19 days after the second exposure. Does that fit the timelines for primary infection?

And if so, I ask again, can IGg levels get that high so soon? I am hoping "no" based on feelingundone's answer - I find it comforting to think of the idea that I have been infected a long time and am one of the lucky ones that don't have noticeable recurrences. In such a scenario, I would hope that my "symptoms" have more to do with anxiety and paranoia after I started reading literature about HSV-1....

I realize that symptoms can appear much later, but one can hope for the best considering the situation... On the other hand, I have to find the mystery lady who celebrated a couple of futbol victories with what seemed to be innocent, though sloppy smooches.

[feelingundone]

From what you describe and the location being under your tongue I highly doubt that the sore was an hsv lesion. The primary always happens at the point of infection and under your tongue would not be it.

[feelingundone]

I believe this is a long standing hsv1 infection probably from childhood. Most hsv1 newly acquired infections have a primary outbreak 3-10 days after exposure and while folks can test positive at 5 weeks your number is high and that also leads me to believe this is an old established infection