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Do I have oral hsv2 and will I transmit?
Today I am writing about a concern I have been having in regards to possibly having oral hsv2(stemming to being in contact with someone with oral hsv2 3 years ago).To start, I know I am positive for hsv1 but not hsv2.This past january I believe I may have gotten my first cold sore.I developed a bump on my bottom lip that would swell up.This would become a open sore in a few days, where I was applying abreva to it. About a week later, I noticed a strange pain on my face when washing it( about half an inch over from my nose, on my inner cheek). I immediately began to apply abreva this spot, but soon a red spot appeared that would become a large hard red bump. I applied a band aid over it and applied tea tree oil to it. This bump would become something of a blister, with fluid inside that I drained. Of course, as soon as I got home I saw a dermatologist who was unable to say definitevely what I had, as he said the tea tree oil had actually “burned it off”. His overall conclusion was that I may have had a cold sore on my lip but thought I had impetigo on my inner cheek. I would go on to consult a 2nd opinion where he said it was unlikely I had impetigo. He gave me a prescription for valtrex in case I felt I was about to have another OB. A few weeks later I ended up getting sick and felt a sore spot on my forehead that would become a red spot(very small) so I took the valtrex scrip(2 doses spread between 12 hours). And for the record, I have been having sensations all around my face. Besides worrying about having hsv2, I am most concerned with possibly transmitting hsv2 to my current gf? What should I do? I am scared to kiss her even!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1) Correct: this result confirms you do not have HSV-2.
2) It also confirms your previously documented HSV-1 infection. The numerical result doesn't mean anything, only that you once again have a positive result. Labcorp does a kind of test that wasn't routine 10 years ago, which tends to give higher numbers than some of the other HSV blood tests on the market.
You need not take any precautions against HSV transmission to partners other than what you have always done. If and when you ever have symptoms typical for an outbreak (either oral or genital, but only oral would be expected) you need to avoid contacting other persons with that part of your body, e.g. no kissing or oral sex at that time. Otherwise don't worry at all about this.
2) It also confirms your previously documented HSV-1 infection. The numerical result doesn't mean anything, only that you once again have a positive result. Labcorp does a kind of test that wasn't routine 10 years ago, which tends to give higher numbers than some of the other HSV blood tests on the market.
You need not take any precautions against HSV transmission to partners other than what you have always done. If and when you ever have symptoms typical for an outbreak (either oral or genital, but only oral would be expected) you need to avoid contacting other persons with that part of your body, e.g. no kissing or oral sex at that time. Otherwise don't worry at all about this.
Doctor,
I received my results from Labcorp. I would like to hear your interpretation of the following:
1.) I tested negative for hsv2! Do I have to worry about this at all anymore?
2.) My hsv1 was positive as expected but it was very high! Does this mean anything? If so please let em know what course of action, safety, etc I should keep in mind for the future.
HSV2 IgG <0.91 Negative
HSV1 IgG 42.60 HIGH
I received my results from Labcorp. I would like to hear your interpretation of the following:
1.) I tested negative for hsv2! Do I have to worry about this at all anymore?
2.) My hsv1 was positive as expected but it was very high! Does this mean anything? If so please let em know what course of action, safety, etc I should keep in mind for the future.
HSV2 IgG <0.91 Negative
HSV1 IgG 42.60 HIGH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Test accuracy depends on the test done and the quality control in lab doing it, not who orders it. Labcorp, Quest, and all tests approved for use in the US are perfectly accurate whether ordered by a rapid test center or anyone else.
You should not do a Western blot right away. That's always the wrong test initially.
NO other comments until you report a test result. No exceptions.
You should not do a Western blot right away. That's always the wrong test initially.
NO other comments until you report a test result. No exceptions.
Thank you I will doctor. Do you know if the rapid testing centers are accurate and reliable? These are the ones that act as a doctor prescribing and have your tests expedited at labcorp or quest. I am unsure of the actual tests they use other than the fact it is not the accurate western blot test. I would hate to have a possible low/false positive and go through the stress and money of doing western blot after. (I would do western blot right away but it would take more time).
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
As the former sex partner of someone with HSV-2, of course it is possible you were infected. But if you were, it is more likely you have only a genital infection.
I recommend you have another HSV blood test. You can expect it to confirm your longstanding HSV-1 infection, and probably it will be negative for HSV-2.
Viral shedding "is not always occurring" with HSV-2. For genital HSV-2, on average the virus is present and transmissible around 5% of the time. And with oral infection, shedding is less frequent than that.
If you get tested, feel free to return to let me know the result. In the meantime, let's not speculate. I won't have any further comments or advice until then.
I recommend you have another HSV blood test. You can expect it to confirm your longstanding HSV-1 infection, and probably it will be negative for HSV-2.
Viral shedding "is not always occurring" with HSV-2. For genital HSV-2, on average the virus is present and transmissible around 5% of the time. And with oral infection, shedding is less frequent than that.
If you get tested, feel free to return to let me know the result. In the meantime, let's not speculate. I won't have any further comments or advice until then.
Doctor,
Thank you for your reply. Allow me to clarify a few things:
1.) I have not tested negative recently for hsv2. My last test was my only test 10 years ago where I tested positive for hsv1 but negative for hsv2. My fear of having hsv2 orally comes from an experience nearly 3 years ago. The story is: An ex of mine had 2 bad pimples on her cheek swabbed and confirmed to be hsv2. Before the test results(but while she had the face blisters) I hugged and exchanged kisses with her mouth to mouth. When we learned she had hsv2 I was in a panic I may have contracted it. As I never got any symptoms I ended up forgetting about it. Fast forward a few years later and now I am worried hsv2 is rearing it's ugly head on my face! What should I do? Get tested right away? Even if I'm not having an outbreak couldn't I transmit hsv2 to my gf via kissing since viral shedding is always occurring?
Thank you for your reply. Allow me to clarify a few things:
1.) I have not tested negative recently for hsv2. My last test was my only test 10 years ago where I tested positive for hsv1 but negative for hsv2. My fear of having hsv2 orally comes from an experience nearly 3 years ago. The story is: An ex of mine had 2 bad pimples on her cheek swabbed and confirmed to be hsv2. Before the test results(but while she had the face blisters) I hugged and exchanged kisses with her mouth to mouth. When we learned she had hsv2 I was in a panic I may have contracted it. As I never got any symptoms I ended up forgetting about it. Fast forward a few years later and now I am worried hsv2 is rearing it's ugly head on my face! What should I do? Get tested right away? Even if I'm not having an outbreak couldn't I transmit hsv2 to my gf via kissing since viral shedding is always occurring?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
I see absolutely no reason for any concern you may have oral HSV-2. Presumably "I am positive for hsv1 but not hsv2" means you had a blood test, right? The HSV blood tests are extremely accurate in detecting antibody to HSV-2, so your negative result is strong evidence you don't have it.
As for your symptoms, it seems possible your oral lesion was a herpes outbreak (cold sore) -- i.e. I agree with your dermatologist it possibly was herpes, and that it's too bad you tried to treat it before it was examined. (Tea tree oil is useless for herpes anyway.) However, if it was, almost certainly it was due to your known HSV-1 infection.
I doubt the forehead lesion or the one near your nose were herpes. Oral/facial herpes cold sores generally recur each time in more or less the same spot, give or take an inch or so. If the lower lip lesion was herpes, then that's where you would expect all additional future outbreaks.
I don't know what you mean by "having sensations all around my face". But herpes, whether HSV-1 or 2, doesn't do that.
My advice is that you not take Valtrex. Wait until you have another facial blister or sore and then promptly visit a dermatologist who can test it for HSV, including a test to determine virus type (if positive). Do not treat it in any way before being examined.
In the meantime, since you may have oral HSV-1, I would advise you to not kiss or perform oral sex on your girlfriend if and when you're having another OB. But for sure don't worry about HSV-2.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
I see absolutely no reason for any concern you may have oral HSV-2. Presumably "I am positive for hsv1 but not hsv2" means you had a blood test, right? The HSV blood tests are extremely accurate in detecting antibody to HSV-2, so your negative result is strong evidence you don't have it.
As for your symptoms, it seems possible your oral lesion was a herpes outbreak (cold sore) -- i.e. I agree with your dermatologist it possibly was herpes, and that it's too bad you tried to treat it before it was examined. (Tea tree oil is useless for herpes anyway.) However, if it was, almost certainly it was due to your known HSV-1 infection.
I doubt the forehead lesion or the one near your nose were herpes. Oral/facial herpes cold sores generally recur each time in more or less the same spot, give or take an inch or so. If the lower lip lesion was herpes, then that's where you would expect all additional future outbreaks.
I don't know what you mean by "having sensations all around my face". But herpes, whether HSV-1 or 2, doesn't do that.
My advice is that you not take Valtrex. Wait until you have another facial blister or sore and then promptly visit a dermatologist who can test it for HSV, including a test to determine virus type (if positive). Do not treat it in any way before being examined.
In the meantime, since you may have oral HSV-1, I would advise you to not kiss or perform oral sex on your girlfriend if and when you're having another OB. But for sure don't worry about HSV-2.
Best wishes-- 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.
