Herpeselect Test Results

I was involved with some one I knew to have genital herpes (diagnosed by viral culture, was not typed however her pattern of OB suggested HSV-2, there were somwhere around 6-8 in that first year).  The relationship only lasted a few months.  I always used condoms.  I went ahead and got tested in March when the relationship ended (for unrelated reasons). Did some research, and got tested again in late June.   Both times I went through healthcheckusa and did the Herpeselect Herpes Simplex Virus 1 & 2 IGG.  The June test was just a couple days short of 15 weeks since last possible exposure.  

Mid-March
HERPES SIMPLEX 1 IGG 1.25
HERPES SIMPLEX 2 IGG 0.30
Late-June
HERPES SIMPLEX 1 IGG 1.37
HERPES SIMPLEX 2 IGG 0.25

I don't recall ever showing any of the classic symptoms, but I know not everybody does.
Is there anything that can be determined from these test results besides type-1 Pos., type-2 Neg.?  
By HerpeSelect, I've read that positive for type one may make your type two results not quite as accurate, and may make seroconversion times longer.  Does the

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

As you say, those results indicate you have been (and are) infected with HSV-1 and not HSV-2.  Up to half the population has HSV-1; like most of those persons, you probably acquired that infection orally during your childhood, consistent with your history of possible oral herpes.  It is unrelated to your sexual exposure to HSV-2; you escaped infection in that relationship.  You can be 100% confident you do not have genital herpes and you have no obligation to inform future partners of your HSV-1 results.  Just avoid kissing or performing oral sex if/when you have a recurrence of cold sores.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[pandora9049]

Hi again.  Sorry to butt in on another post.  I'm not sure you can help me with this, cause I'm not sure this is a std. but I guess it's worth a shot and a hell of a lot less embarrassing talking to u than going to my gyn and telling her this one.
  Sat night ran out of condoms and used microwavable saran wrap.  Sunday felt irritated in the vaginal area so bought monistat cause it felt like yeast infection.  but yesterday noticed like a bloody discharge which is still here today.  Irritation (itchiness) persists as well only on 1st day of medicine.  anyways, Ive had yeast infections in the past and never had blood before.  (Never used saran wrap either I might add.) Could this be due to trauma maybe or perhaps chlamydia or gonorrhea?  I know I should go to the doctor but how embarrasing!  thanks for any help u can give me.  Sorry again for butting in to whoever posted original question.
Pan
P.S.  I'm really really really hoping u say trauma cause this person is not a new partner....

[nrvus_kid]

Actually, one of the reasons I post this is because lately I'd been having this intermittent "muscle spasm" type feeling in my left thigh and it had been going on for about a week.  It's kind of a dull "electric shock" type feeling and happens for about a half second, about every five seconds or so.
Yesterday I saw what looked kind of like a spider bite or a whitehead pimple on the back of my thigh almost halfway down to my knee (I've read that herpes sores can affect anywhere in the "boxer shorts" area, this sore cleared my boxers by about an inch or two).  I don't know how long it had been there cause of where it was located.
I should clarify also that 15 weeks since last exposure meant intercourse (protected).  There was one incident about six weeks before I got tested where I received oral, and I manually stimulated (hands) the person I spoke of in the above post.  I considered this exposure low risk due to her history of lesions "below the belt", but I may not know what I'm talking about.
I guess genital HSV1 is my greatest concern at this point.  I anticipate that you may suggest seeing a physician, which I already plan on doing, was just wondering what you may have to say about this.  Again, thank you in advance for the service you provide here.

[monkeyflower]

Wow, I've heard of Saran Wrap used as a dental dam, but never for intercourse (I'm assuming that's what you mean, since you said you ran out of condoms). Did any semen leak out? Did it feel funny? I would think it would feel kind of sticky and crinkly... not very comfortable.

But I think if you're wondering if you could have contracted anything from that exposure, I bet Dr. Handsfield will say no. First of all, I'm pretty sure no STD symptoms show up that quickly. Besides, from what I've heard Saran Wrap's an effective substitute for a dental dam, so unless semen did leak out I can't imagine you'd be at any more risk than you would if you used a latex condom the same way.

[pandora9049]

yea, i know. talk about retarded....but no ejaculation...saran wrap is DEFINITELY not a substitute for a condom.

[monkeyflower]

Well, it's pretty creative :-)

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Pandora:  Get checked; I don't see how sex with saran wrap could be sufficiently traumatic to cause bleeding.  Bleeding after sex often is a sign of cervicitis, often due to gonorrhea or chlamydia.  Don't worry about telling the story to your ObG; I'm sure your story is small potatoes compared to other stories she has been told.  Using saran wrap isn't all that wierd or uncommon; many of my patients have found it to work just fine when a condom isn't handy.

nrvus_kid:  The additional information doesn't change my original opinion or advice.  Herpes is not a cause of vague pains in the legs, buttocks, back, etc.  Numbness, tingling, or pain can precede an overt herpes outbreak by 1-2 days ("prodrome"), but there is no evidence that such symptoms in the absence of symptomatic herpes are caused by HSV of either type. You do not have genital herpes, period.

HHH, MD

[nrvus_kid]

The leg thing I'm still going to get checked out, it's been going on long enough that it's starting to drive me crazy(however after what you've said, I'm convinced H. isn't the cause).  I never discounted the possibility that my anxiety was getting the better of me.  

Thank you again Doctor for your time and reassurance, I really appreciate it.

[Christie2004]

What a wonderful forum!  I learn a lot just from perusing it.  Though I'm an OB nurse, many of these questions are ones I hear from pregnant women, and I feel as though you've helped me to help them.

--I had to laugh at your comment about the story being "small potatoes" compared to some the doctors in clinics see.  I have my own "small potato" story--and it is completely true.  We once saw a woman who was about 32 weeks and thought she was in preterm labor and having vaginal pain and pressure.  Upon exam, the OB and I were SHOCKED to find an old, rotting potato...YES, A POTATO...in her vagina.  Her explaination?  "Oh, I forgot about that.  I think I accidently sat on it".  I will spare you the rest of the story, but you are 100% right about what doctors and nurses see and hear.

[monkeyflower]

I have a related story. If you go to PubMed and search on "rectal foreign bodies", one of the abstracts you'll get is about a woman with similar symptoms... it turned out she had a *brick* in her vagina that was causing a bowel obstruction.

[Christie2004]

When I worked at another nationally renowned hospital...the ER kept a "board of foreign bodies" in the back, where they pinned, taped, or tacked up the various things people put into their various crevices...quite interesting.

My personal favorite was a picture of the GRAPEFRUIT a local gentleman "somehow" inserted into his rectum.  Major rectal surgery and obstetrical forceps were needed to remove it.  

The only other foreign object I personally saw was a woman with a small bottle of nail polish in her vagina.  She couldn't remember how or when it got there.  The doc got it out, washed it off, and gave it back to her--as she requested.

[Badluck7]

Hey nrvus_kid.  While I respect Doctor HHH's comments that you are 100% safe, the study below by Anna Wald shows that even at 6 MONTHS, only 82% of the people had seroconverted by Herpes Select.  So while the chances aren't great that you have HSV-2, I don't think you can be "100% certain" that you don't based on a 15 week Herpes Select blood test.

http://www.myracoon.net/pdfs/Time_to_Seroconversion.pdf

And you can see the chart here:

http://www.myracoon.net/pdfs/charts/seroconversion_table.jpg

[fiendish]

A related discussion, vaginal and rectal foreign objects was started.