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HSV2 antibody development
Dr. Handsfield,
The other day you answered a question I asked at the end of another user's post that gave me an incredible sense of relief & hope after years of worry & fear: "A few people with HSV-1 don't develop antibodies. Everybody with HSV-2 does" (http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/HSV-2-likelihood/show/2026326). I've been living in a constant state of distress over the last 3 years, paranoid that I have genital herpes. Specifics are detailed here in a thread between Grace and myself: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/Test-Results----What-to-believe/show/1892363.
I’ve taken 2 IgG type-specific blood tests for HSV1&2, all negative. Test 1 (Herpeselect) was 3 yrs post exp (both <0.91). Test 2 (Liaison) was 6 yrs post exp -- HSV1 0.05, HSV2 0.11. I've been under the impression (& have read on this forum) that there is a small percentage (5%) of people w/HSV2 who, like those w/ type 1, also don't develop antibodies. Due to my ?able (though atypical) symptoms over the years, but with negative test results, I thought perhaps I was in this category. After reading your response referenced above, however, for the first time I feel like I can finally wake up and believe my results.
My exposures (1x ~10 min intercourse, 2x oral, all unprotected, w/ symptom-free partner) may be considered low risk (in terms of likelihood of transmission), & I know herpes isn’t life-threatening, but I’ve been terrified. It's totally altered my sex life with my spouse, & I've been nervous that I’ve already transmitted it to him - every sign of jock itch, below-the-waist pimple or ingrown hair, I silently freak out about. I check myself constantly for swollen lymph nodes, pimples, etc. I feel EVERY sensation below the waist and believe them to be prodromes. I'd love to finally believe my results and move on. I can’t begin to tell you how much time I’ve spent reading this forum - it's been exhausting.
Thank you so much for all you and Dr. Hook do for us here.
The other day you answered a question I asked at the end of another user's post that gave me an incredible sense of relief & hope after years of worry & fear: "A few people with HSV-1 don't develop antibodies. Everybody with HSV-2 does" (http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/HSV-2-likelihood/show/2026326). I've been living in a constant state of distress over the last 3 years, paranoid that I have genital herpes. Specifics are detailed here in a thread between Grace and myself: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/Test-Results----What-to-believe/show/1892363.
I’ve taken 2 IgG type-specific blood tests for HSV1&2, all negative. Test 1 (Herpeselect) was 3 yrs post exp (both <0.91). Test 2 (Liaison) was 6 yrs post exp -- HSV1 0.05, HSV2 0.11. I've been under the impression (& have read on this forum) that there is a small percentage (5%) of people w/HSV2 who, like those w/ type 1, also don't develop antibodies. Due to my ?able (though atypical) symptoms over the years, but with negative test results, I thought perhaps I was in this category. After reading your response referenced above, however, for the first time I feel like I can finally wake up and believe my results.
My exposures (1x ~10 min intercourse, 2x oral, all unprotected, w/ symptom-free partner) may be considered low risk (in terms of likelihood of transmission), & I know herpes isn’t life-threatening, but I’ve been terrified. It's totally altered my sex life with my spouse, & I've been nervous that I’ve already transmitted it to him - every sign of jock itch, below-the-waist pimple or ingrown hair, I silently freak out about. I check myself constantly for swollen lymph nodes, pimples, etc. I feel EVERY sensation below the waist and believe them to be prodromes. I'd love to finally believe my results and move on. I can’t begin to tell you how much time I’ve spent reading this forum - it's been exhausting.
Thank you so much for all you and Dr. Hook do for us here.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Stop worrying about "atypical symptoms". The test results rule, so your symptoms are irrelevant. Stop searching the web about herpes symptoms.
This thread is definitely over. Continued anxiety driven comments will result in deletion of the entire thread. Suck it up and move on with your life; if you cannot, re-read my comments about professional counseling. This is not a hand-holding service for people who will not or cannot accept our opinions, reassurance, and advice.
This thread is definitely over. Continued anxiety driven comments will result in deletion of the entire thread. Suck it up and move on with your life; if you cannot, re-read my comments about professional counseling. This is not a hand-holding service for people who will not or cannot accept our opinions, reassurance, and advice.
Thank you, Dr. Handsfield, for both your assessment and your advice. I agree that my fear has gotten the better of me. It scares me how much this topic and worry have consumed me. I believe my hang up lies in the fact that I have symptoms at all. If I didn't, I'm sure I would be able to trust my results and put this all behind me.
I'm not sure if you looked at the thread I referenced above between me and Grace that went into specifics about my symptoms, but I just wanted to add that, based on what I've read on this forum, to me they seem atypical. Confusing matters, I'm having a hard time deciphering what atypical even means anymore, as there is such a wide variety of ways this can present, not to mention adding prodromal sensations into the mix. I would also like to point out, however, in order to give you full disclosure of my symptoms, that every now and then, I do get what feels like a small area of missing skin that makes me worry the pimple previously felt was actually a blister that has come off and exposed the raw skin underneath. This doesn't happen as frequently as just getting regular pus-filled pimples, and I can't say with 100% certainty that it's not caused by me discovering something's there, then washing or examining myself too vigorously. Please forgive my additional inquiry. I guess I'm just hoping you're in agreement that my recurrent symptoms sound "atypical" enough (whatever that means) to rule out genital herpes. Dr. Handsfield, I truly trust in every word you say. I'm sorry for bothering you further.
I'm not sure if you looked at the thread I referenced above between me and Grace that went into specifics about my symptoms, but I just wanted to add that, based on what I've read on this forum, to me they seem atypical. Confusing matters, I'm having a hard time deciphering what atypical even means anymore, as there is such a wide variety of ways this can present, not to mention adding prodromal sensations into the mix. I would also like to point out, however, in order to give you full disclosure of my symptoms, that every now and then, I do get what feels like a small area of missing skin that makes me worry the pimple previously felt was actually a blister that has come off and exposed the raw skin underneath. This doesn't happen as frequently as just getting regular pus-filled pimples, and I can't say with 100% certainty that it's not caused by me discovering something's there, then washing or examining myself too vigorously. Please forgive my additional inquiry. I guess I'm just hoping you're in agreement that my recurrent symptoms sound "atypical" enough (whatever that means) to rule out genital herpes. Dr. Handsfield, I truly trust in every word you say. I'm sorry for bothering you further.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
"everybody who has HSV-2 develops antibodies? There is no small percentage of people who don't develop them?" It is very rare to not develop measurable antibodies, but it happens once in a while.
"And if one is infected and tests at the appropriate time, it will reflect on a blood test??" Yes.
Although the blood test itself is not quite 100% reliable, the totality of information you have provided -- no typical symptoms, a low risk sexual lifestyle, no partners known to have HSV-2, no symptoms that suggest herpes in your partner (jock itch or a few zits below the waist don't count!), and the blood test result -- amounts to 100% certainty you don't have it.
This sounds like an issue that is seriously weighing on your mind and perhaps interfering with your life. If so, and if your fear of herpes continues despite such overwhelming scientific evidence and reasonsed reassurance, you should consider professional counseling. I suggest it from compassion, not criticism. Abnormal fear of contagion can be an early sign of serious mental health disability -- for an excellent example, see "The Aviator", the film biography of the billionaire recluse Howard Hughes.
That will be all for this thread. Good luck.
"And if one is infected and tests at the appropriate time, it will reflect on a blood test??" Yes.
Although the blood test itself is not quite 100% reliable, the totality of information you have provided -- no typical symptoms, a low risk sexual lifestyle, no partners known to have HSV-2, no symptoms that suggest herpes in your partner (jock itch or a few zits below the waist don't count!), and the blood test result -- amounts to 100% certainty you don't have it.
This sounds like an issue that is seriously weighing on your mind and perhaps interfering with your life. If so, and if your fear of herpes continues despite such overwhelming scientific evidence and reasonsed reassurance, you should consider professional counseling. I suggest it from compassion, not criticism. Abnormal fear of contagion can be an early sign of serious mental health disability -- for an excellent example, see "The Aviator", the film biography of the billionaire recluse Howard Hughes.
That will be all for this thread. Good luck.
Dr. Handsfield,
Last questions, if I may, in regards to the answer you gave on another post which was subsequently deleted: everybody who has HSV-2 develops antibodies? There is no small percentage of people who don't develop them? And if one is infected and tests at the appropriate time, it will reflect on a blood test? Thank you again.
Last questions, if I may, in regards to the answer you gave on another post which was subsequently deleted: everybody who has HSV-2 develops antibodies? There is no small percentage of people who don't develop them? And if one is infected and tests at the appropriate time, it will reflect on a blood test? Thank you again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, my reply was based primarily on the information in your question above.
Dr. Handsfield,
Sorry to bother you, but I would just like to make sure that even though you thought I was a different user, you did take into account and base your determination on the specifics of my particular situation and not that of the user for who I was mistaken. I just don't want there to be any room for doubt of your advice to me based on misinformation. Thank you again.
Sorry to bother you, but I would just like to make sure that even though you thought I was a different user, you did take into account and base your determination on the specifics of my particular situation and not that of the user for who I was mistaken. I just don't want there to be any room for doubt of your advice to me based on misinformation. Thank you again.
Thank you Dr. Handsfield, for answering my question. I apologize for adding to someone else's thread (I did it only for clarification of your response, not as a way of getting out of asking my own question). I do believe, however, that the information you provided (re: HSV2 antibody development) is incredibly important to know and could benefit many who would have read it (people like myself who spend lots of time researching on this forum, as well as to dispel misconceptions that do in fact appear Medhelp). I value your expertise and hold your opinion in the highest regard. I do hope in your realization I was a different user than you originally thought, that you had a chance to briefly look at my other communication with Grace on the community forum, for the complete picture. Regardless, I appreciate you taking the time to assess my situation and give me your thoughts. I will try very hard to accept my results after all these years, and hopefully determine what has been causing my ongoing symptoms. Thank you again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I just realized you were not the original quesitoner in the other thread. Had I realized it, I would not have replied there -- and have now deleted that comment and my reply on the other thread.
You may disregard my comments above about repeat questions on the forum. Otherwise, however, my reply above remains accurate. I will just add that test results always overrule symptoms, especially "atypical" ones. They should not concern you and you can believe the test results.
You may disregard my comments above about repeat questions on the forum. Otherwise, however, my reply above remains accurate. I will just add that test results always overrule symptoms, especially "atypical" ones. They should not concern you and you can believe the test results.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Asking the same questions as in your previous thread, with different words, will not result in a different answer. Your test results prove you don't have HSV-2, and are highly reliable in showing you don't have HSV-1. In other words, you have answered your own question" "I feel like I can finally wake up and believe my results".
The important part of today's question is the last paragraph. You are abnormally and irrationally obsessed with herpes despite the evidence you are not infected. There is a disconnect between your intellectual understanding that you don't have it and your emotional fear that you really do. The only way to address this sort of thing is through professional mental health counseling. I recommend it from compassion, not criticism. But it's not an STD issue, so I won't have anything more to say about it. You're never going to get over this by any additional herpes testing or from advice on this forum or any other online source.\
Also please note MedHelp's rule that permits a maximum of 2 questions every 6 months on each of the professionally moderated forums (see Terms and Conditions). This will have to be your last on this forum until next April; before then, any new ones will be deleted without reply; I don't want you to risk wasting your non-refundable posting fee.
Regards-- HHH, MD
The important part of today's question is the last paragraph. You are abnormally and irrationally obsessed with herpes despite the evidence you are not infected. There is a disconnect between your intellectual understanding that you don't have it and your emotional fear that you really do. The only way to address this sort of thing is through professional mental health counseling. I recommend it from compassion, not criticism. But it's not an STD issue, so I won't have anything more to say about it. You're never going to get over this by any additional herpes testing or from advice on this forum or any other online source.\
Also please note MedHelp's rule that permits a maximum of 2 questions every 6 months on each of the professionally moderated forums (see Terms and Conditions). This will have to be your last on this forum until next April; before then, any new ones will be deleted without reply; I don't want you to risk wasting your non-refundable posting fee.
Regards-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
