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HSV II questions
Thru LabCorp blood work I was recently diagnosed with having HSV II. I'm a 47 year old woman and I never new I had Herpes. Married for 21 years and now divorced for 2 years and have had 4 sexual partners since my divorce. I have for years gotten what I thought was a yeast infection about 1-2 times per year. It is my understanding that it is almost impossible to know when I got this virus.
I recently ended an 8 month relationship that started in January and ended in July. We did not always use a condom. When out of town I did have a one night stand with someone on August 11. I started have itching sensations that started about 10 days after my August encounter. I went to the doctor and requested blood work for all STD’s and I was also examined and cultured. The doc said it looked like a yeast infection and game me a prescription for Fluconazole. I took 2 doses. I started to feel better, but the burning did not completely go away.
The blood work was negative for all STD’s except HSV II. They also gave me Valtrex which I took for 5 days, 2 pills 2 x a day. After the 5 days of Valtrex all the itching and redness went away. But now about 2 weeks later I still have a burning, itching feeling.
Lab results: HSV II IgG , HCV Ab w/Rflx to RIBA, 5.38, positive is >1.1, HSV IgM I/II <0.91, negative, non reactive.
I recently ended an 8 month relationship that started in January and ended in July. We did not always use a condom. When out of town I did have a one night stand with someone on August 11. I started have itching sensations that started about 10 days after my August encounter. I went to the doctor and requested blood work for all STD’s and I was also examined and cultured. The doc said it looked like a yeast infection and game me a prescription for Fluconazole. I took 2 doses. I started to feel better, but the burning did not completely go away.
The blood work was negative for all STD’s except HSV II. They also gave me Valtrex which I took for 5 days, 2 pills 2 x a day. After the 5 days of Valtrex all the itching and redness went away. But now about 2 weeks later I still have a burning, itching feeling.
Lab results: HSV II IgG , HCV Ab w/Rflx to RIBA, 5.38, positive is >1.1, HSV IgM I/II <0.91, negative, non reactive.
Thank you Doc and GracefromHHP
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Almost everyone with HSV-2 has a genital area infection and oral infection is uncommon. You can assume there is little or no risk of transmission from your mouth to someone else's genitals. There is a small risk you could transmit your genital infection to somene's mouth if s/he performs oral sex on you.
Follow gracefromHHP's wise advice. Good luck.
Follow gracefromHHP's wise advice. Good luck.
Read the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com and watch the patient counseling video there. There is also terrific info at www.ashastd.org.
grace
grace
I thought of one more question, and hopefully not overstepping my limits on asking another one. But what about oral sex if there are no signs of an outbreak? Thank you again for all the help you offer on the forum.
Thank you, and yes it was a typo, HSV II. I still never recall getting a blisters or sores. And when I look in the mirror I am red on both sides of the vulva. The main problem I have is burning, itching and a tingling sensation on both sides. I do recall having a cyst on my vulva years ago, that when it opened it was a white puss that came out.
As for future sex and partners, I know I should inform them and use a condom. But, should I also inquire with my doctor about the once a day Valtrex?
Thank you again for your help.
As for future sex and partners, I know I should inform them and use a condom. But, should I also inquire with my doctor about the once a day Valtrex?
Thank you again for your help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I am a little confused about the lab result. HCV = hepatitis C virus, but maybe that's a typo (?). But assuming the 5.38 value is the ELISA ratio for HSV-2, then definitely you are infected with HSV-2.
1) As to when you were infected, statiistically it is much more likely to be a distant past infection than a recent one, and if your recurrent vulvar irritative symptoms indeed were due to herpes and not yeast, that's also evidence of a past infection. In theory, the negative IgM result also suggests a distant past infection, but IgM is a lousy test that isn't reliable no matter what the result. The bottom line is that there is no way to know how long someone has been infected from blood test results alone.
2) Recurrent herpes can mimic yeast, but still most yeast infections are just that, especially if professionally diagnosed. But if your yeast symptoms are strictly unilateral--i.e., one side of your vulva or the other--herpes is a better bet. (Recurrent herpes is always unilateral, or invovles the midline--but rarely occurs on both sides of the body's midline.)
3) See above. The blood test results seem accurate, assuming you're not somehow mixing up HSV with HCV.
4) Physical trauma doesn't trigger herpes outbreaks. However, if someone is about to get an outbreak anyway, it can seem to be triggered by an irritating event. If the symptoms you describe are stricly one one side, and always on the same side (usually in more or less the same spot), herpes is a good bet. Most important, get a mirror and look. If in the first 1-2 days you see a blister or sore, and especially if more than one such lesion, then herpes is a very good bet. Alternatively, see a knowledgeable provider within 1-2 days of onset of symptoms, for both visual inspection and virus culture.
I hope this helps. Best wishes--- HHH, MD
1) As to when you were infected, statiistically it is much more likely to be a distant past infection than a recent one, and if your recurrent vulvar irritative symptoms indeed were due to herpes and not yeast, that's also evidence of a past infection. In theory, the negative IgM result also suggests a distant past infection, but IgM is a lousy test that isn't reliable no matter what the result. The bottom line is that there is no way to know how long someone has been infected from blood test results alone.
2) Recurrent herpes can mimic yeast, but still most yeast infections are just that, especially if professionally diagnosed. But if your yeast symptoms are strictly unilateral--i.e., one side of your vulva or the other--herpes is a better bet. (Recurrent herpes is always unilateral, or invovles the midline--but rarely occurs on both sides of the body's midline.)
3) See above. The blood test results seem accurate, assuming you're not somehow mixing up HSV with HCV.
4) Physical trauma doesn't trigger herpes outbreaks. However, if someone is about to get an outbreak anyway, it can seem to be triggered by an irritating event. If the symptoms you describe are stricly one one side, and always on the same side (usually in more or less the same spot), herpes is a good bet. Most important, get a mirror and look. If in the first 1-2 days you see a blister or sore, and especially if more than one such lesion, then herpes is a very good bet. Alternatively, see a knowledgeable provider within 1-2 days of onset of symptoms, for both visual inspection and virus culture.
I hope this helps. Best wishes--- HHH, MD
I forgot to ask my questions:
(1) Could I have gotten the HSV II from my recent encounter in August? Or does my blood work indicate I have had this virus for a while?
(2) I don’t ever recall having an initial out break. I get what I thought was a yeast infection 1-2 times a year. Could this be a herpes out break?
(3) Could the blood work be incorrect and should I have more blood work done?
(4) I now feel like I am getting another yeast infection. I also cycle on a regular basis about 1.5 hours, about 4 times per week. Could the pressure/friction from the bicycle seat and moisture be causing a constant irritation? Could this be causing a recurring herpes outbreak or yeast infection?
(1) Could I have gotten the HSV II from my recent encounter in August? Or does my blood work indicate I have had this virus for a while?
(2) I don’t ever recall having an initial out break. I get what I thought was a yeast infection 1-2 times a year. Could this be a herpes out break?
(3) Could the blood work be incorrect and should I have more blood work done?
(4) I now feel like I am getting another yeast infection. I also cycle on a regular basis about 1.5 hours, about 4 times per week. Could the pressure/friction from the bicycle seat and moisture be causing a constant irritation? Could this be causing a recurring herpes outbreak or yeast infection?
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.
