test results

[needhelp402]

Last july after swimming I had a rash close to my rectum, similar to yeast infection. I was very irritated especially when i used the bathroom. I called my gyn but she never returned my call. I contacted my GP who treated the situation as a bad fungal infection. When I finally got an appointment my gyn cancelled because of some personal reason. I had this out break more than once.  This January after many attempts and around my yearly check up I was able to obtain an appointment with my gyn, she told me I had a bad irritation form a yeast infection, she treated it and it went away. In March we found out that we were a month pregnant and went to see our gyn a couple of weeks after that I came down with the same symptoms as before with a rash, finally a bump. At night it felt as if something was crawling out of my rectum I couldn't sleep this happened even when I sat still but  my gyn said it was a bad yeast infection and she didn't want to treat it because of a previous complete Placenta Previa condition with our third child and spotting with this pregnancy. Finally in April I visited her because this situation did get worse 2 spots close to my rectum resembling exposed skin and 1 close to vagina, my vagina was also swollen and itchy, my3rd complaint to my doctor 3exams I requested that I get something for the yeast infection. During the examination she said to, "Do you think this is herpes?"  I was shocked with the comment and said what she asked me, did we test you for herpes? I told her not to my knowledge She went to her office and told me that a test she did in March told her I was exposed and she taught she told me but didn't she continued to apologize.  IGG test result Herpes type 1 = 3.75 and type 2= 8.25 does this really mean I have this virus? My husband is upset and I am stressed. We have talked about a second opinion and even changing doctors, she has great beside manner and has seen me through a very difficult pregnancy but I feel betrayed. Please help

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I'm sure that finding out this way, after several months of trying to sort things out must be very frustrating.  On the other hand, the good news is that you now know that you have herpes and can do something about it.  This is in your favor.  Furthermore your doctor had the strength of character to tell you of the failure to notify you.  Sadly, some doctors would not tell you they had made a mistake but would go on and re-test you and then tell you you were infected. In my book, it takes a good doctor to be willing to tell you when they made and error or that they do not know something.  There is nothing she can do to undo this.  To change doctors at this point in the pregnancy may not be in your best interest but of course this is your call.

About the test and results.  I am presuming that this test was done with a type-specific test like the HerpeSelect (you should ask).  If this is the case, then you have both HSV-2 and probably HSV-1.  (the test result means you do have the infection).  There is no way to tell how long  you had had the infection or where it came from.  The knowledge that you are infected is to your benefit as it allows you to consider starting suppressive antiviral therapy in the latter part of your pregnancy as is recommended by the American College of Ob-Gyn in order to minimize your risk for infecting your child at the time of delivery.

Hope this is some help.  EWH

[needhelp402]

I was told that the virus shows up 2- 20 days after exposure. Is that true and will I live a normal life agian? I am so suspicious now i have been with my husband for 8 years.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Herpes is not very "efficiently" transmitted.  While I cannot judge your relationship, I do regularly see couples who have been sexually active for years and then suddenly a transmission event occurs.  In the few studies that provide information about this, in couples in which one person has herpes and the other does not, the rate if tramsmission is between 5 and 6% per year.  Thus, while the infection can become clinically apparent in the range you mention, transmission may occur after years of sexual activity.  EWH

[scared_half_to_death]

It sounds like you got an unexpected surprise. Sorry to hear that. Maybe you could ease some of your concerns by learning how herpes works and how other couples have dealt with the same situation. You are both the same persons a day after learning about this as you were the day before.

A good starting point is WestoverHeights. They have a handbook that is very informative. There are also many people in the Herpes forum on Medhelp that can also help provide information and references for you.

Best Wishes!

[needhelp402]

thank you so much for your response. I did start utalizing some of the resources you have mentioned.

[needhelp402]

my husband took the result and his test came back at 11.75 for type 2 and type 1 while mine is at 8.75 for type 2 and 3.75 for 1 does this mean he had it way longer than i did?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, the strenght of the test result does not tell you who has been infected longer or who had it first.  It does however indicate that each of you is infected.  EWH