Clarification for herpes test results

[duyong]

Hi there,

I'm currently confused and worried about my test results because i dont really know what they actually mean and desperately need some 2nd opinions on whether i actually have herpes or not or how bad it is. I'm really worried about giving it to my girlfriend as we are quite sexually active together.

I'm a 32 male and reside in Malaysia and recently had a test done specifically for any sexually transmitted disease. Among the negative or non-reactive results were VDRL, TPHA, HIV I & II and Chlamydia. However for Herpes, the results are as follows:

HERPES TYPE 1 IGG : 33.0 VE UNITS
HERPES TYPE 2 IGG : 16.0 VE UNITS

INTERPRETATION (VE UNITS)
NEGATIVE : 11.0
*IF GREY ZONE FINDING, SUGGEST REPEAT IN 2 WEEKS

According to the attendant there, she said that even though my results showed positive for herpes, it was only minor and that i could get medication from any doctor. The GP i met on the other hand didn't seem to be that calm told me to see a specialist to obtain further consultation. Now to me positive means positive and thats whats busting my head at the moment. I have had a few sex partners but my sex life before my current girlfriend hasn't been at all active. So now i've got 2 conflicting opinions and i'm stressing myself here not knowing whats going on. I'd appreciate some foreign expert opinion before i head to any specialist. You've probably replied to similar questions but i really need to know:

1. Are my results really positive for herpes?
2. If yes, how bad is it?
3. How high are the risks of trasmitting the virus to others?

Really appreciate your time reading this and cant wait to hear from any of you. Thanks.

Duyong

[duyong]

well thanks again grace. feel alot relieved after my ignorance about this,

[gracefromHHP]

I am unfamilar with the test you had done since it's not one that is routinely used in the US so I can't really comment on the accuracy of it.

As to your hsv1 question, the majority of adults in malasia have hsv1 orally whether they get obvious cold sores or not. No one should ever really be surprised if they test + for hsv1 no matter where in the world they live - it's THAT common of an infection.

grace

[duyong]

Oh  and i missed out a few points of the report:

HERPES TYPE 1 IGG : 33.0 VE UNITS
HERPES TYPE 2 IGG : 16.0 VE UNITS

INTERPRETATION (VE UNITS)
NEGATIVE : LESS THAN 9.0
GREY ZONE : 9.0-11.0
POSITIVE : MORE THAN 11.0
*IF GREY ZONE FINDING, SUGGEST REPEAT IN 2 WEEKS

[duyong]

Oh  and i missed out a few points of the report:

HERPES TYPE 1 IGG : 33.0 VE UNITS
HERPES TYPE 2 IGG : 16.0 VE UNITS

INTERPRETATION (VE UNITS)
NEGATIVE : 11.0
*IF GREY ZONE FINDING, SUGGEST REPEAT IN 2 WEEKS

[duyong]

Thanks Aj, but that's another thing which i dont seem to get. I don't recall suffering from cold sores ever. The closest are small like goosebumps things in between some of my fingers. Usually happens after working around or contact with dirt or doing carpentry. They seem to go away pretty fast without any medication unless popped. I assumed it must have something to do with dust/dirt/sawdust..like an allergy. Any opinions?

Thanks again.
Duyong

[auntiejessi]

Yes, its positive, and its not a big deal.  

If you are a male with female partners, the chance that you would transmit hsv2 to a long term partner are 8-10% over the course of a year.  If you were to get on suppressive therapy, like acyclovir or valtrex (the names might be different in your country), then the chances go down to 4-5% a year.

Your hsv1 is an oral infection, and as long as you avoid kissing and giving oral sex if you have a cold sore, chances are good you won't transmit it.  Its possible, though.

Your GP freaked for nothing, and herpes is quite common.  

Aj