Are These Results Conclusive?

[whatsagirltodo]

I was married for 23 years with 1 reported infidelity 18 years ago.  I never had an outbreak, that I'm aware of, nor did my spouse.  About two years ago I began having rectal itching and went to the gynecologist.  They gave me a steroid type cream, but the itching never completely resolved.  I dealt with it on and off for a year and then returned to the doctor.  At that time she did a culture for HSV and it was negative.  However, she decided to do blood work for the same and that returned positive.  Here are the results:  

HSV1 Glycoprot G IgG 5.39
HSV2 Glycoprot G IgG 5.38
HSV 1/2 Ab IgG >22.40
HSV 1/2 Ab IgM 1.31

Obviously I'm devastated by the results and completely unsure how to proceed with having a normal, healthy relationship.  I received these results just prior to my divorce being final.  My husband was also tested and he tested positive.  

I'm unsure how we both could have went all those years without any symptoms or any indication of HSV.  I'm assuming that the above results means that I have both HSV1 and HSV2.  Is that assumption correct?  Does this mean that I cannot give or receive oral sex because of HSV1?  I'm confused, devastated, and completely unsure how to proceed with a "normal" life and what it means for my future relationships.  Can you offer any advice please?  I feel tainted, ashamed, and quite depressed by these results.   Also, why is the one result of HSV 1/2 Ab IgG >22.40 so high?  What does this mean?

Thank you.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

It is very common to acquire HSV 1 from a parent who has cold sores, yes.  And if you've ever in your life had a cold sore, which you have, this is where your HSV 1 antibody is coming from.

Terri

[whatsagirltodo]

Hi Terry,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to me.  I will definitely do the reading you have suggested.  I'm also trying to work this all out in my head and heart, though I am struggling.  Can you tell me how will I know if I have HSV 1 or 2 genitally, or do I assume that I have them both, or does it really matter?  Also, if I have HSV 1 orally, which I have had fever blisters in the past, but never as severe as my mom or sister, does this mean that even by kissing someone I could infect them with HSV1 or only if I have a fever blister?  

Also, if my mom has had fever blisters pretty much since I can remember, and one of my sisters does too, does this mean that they also have HSV1?  Could I have gotten HSV1 from my mom, as did my sister?  Not looking to blame anyone, what's done is done, just trying to understand.  I've read the article about good virus versus bad virus and how society tends to accept the "fever blisters" but they do not accept the genital herpes, even though they are both contagious and are both herpes.  I really want to know exactly what I'm dealing with having both.  When I received my results, my physician never mentioned that I also had HSV1, they only confirmed the HSV2.  I didn't realize that I actually had both until I requested a copy of my records and read the results for myself.    

Thanks again for your time.  

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Your blood test results are definitely positive, there is no need to confirm these results with another test.  The reason you likely didn't have symptoms that you recognized was because you most probably had HSV 1 first, then acquired HSV 2.  The antibody to HSV 1 would have kept the symptoms of HSV 2 from being significant, and could easily have been missed, though the rectal itching does sound suspicious and your doctor must have thought the same.  

The only values in this test panel that matter are the HSV 1 and 2 IgG values - the rest are of no particular value and mean nothing.  

I'm sorry this comes at such a bad time for you, the end of your marriage. I'm sure you are worried about the impact herpes will have on your future.  While it is true that you will now have to discuss this matter with future partners, herpes is very common and in my experience, if you have other good qualities, which I'm sure you do, this will not cause most men to reject you.  The issues of timing  of your telling, who to tell, and what to say are all important.  There are a couple of resources that I would like you to use:  there is a free video on my website and also a free downloadable handbook there.  For further detail, particularly on the topic of telling partner, perhaps you would consider my book "The Good News About the Bad News" from amazon.com.  There are lots of things to learn about herpes, and I hope you will do this reading.  If, after reading, you have more questions, please feel free to post.  

This is not the end of your social and sexual life, for sure.  You will learn how to cope with this as I'm sure you've learned to cope with other difficult issues in life.  Give yourself time and space to work this out in your head and heart.

Terri

[whatsagirltodo]

Hi Terry, i apologize about the date; I guess the other post was prior to mine.  Just anxiously awaiting a response.  I do appreciate the time that you take to answer the questions on this forum.  

Thank you

[whatsagirltodo]

What is a reasonable amount of time to wait for a response to my questions, and why would an earlier post be answered before those of us who have been waiting?

Thank you.