Asymptomatic, 57 years old, pso HSV1 and 2

[SeriouslyShaken]

I was tested during my annual phsyical for HSV with the Herpes Select iGg test. It was positive at 2.45. My research unveiled that this is in the low positive range and retesting for confirmation was in order. So i tested with the Biokit at a community clinic. It too was positive without a measurement. I have no symptoms, have never had symptoms, no one I have had relations with has had symptoms...I had an outbreak of shingles in 2009 after severe stress. Could this be antibodies that these tests are reading? Also what does a 2.45 reading mean exactly? My nurse said I could have had exposure within six months to sixteen years....that doesn't tell me much. I was married for 23 years and in monogamous relationships with others since. Am I being delusional in thinking I should take the Western Blot test too? i did take the PCR blood test but it was negative for any virus in my blood - no new infection. Please help. I am in such a bad state and cannot get answers from anyone.

[gracefromHHP]

well I certainly don't believe in ignorance being bliss when it comes to herpes!  you can keep the risk to a partner very low in general with minimal precautions so knowing you have it is helpful.

Terri Warren's book "the good news about the bad news" really goes into the psychological side of having herpes. it's under $20 on amazon and I think really worthwhile. Might want to pick up a copy to see if it helps you work through this too :)  

[SeriouslyShaken]

Thank you Grace. I know that in time I will be able to handle this better. Currently,  I am waking up in the middle of the night with such a gripping fear that I can't breathe.. It is awful. I really feel for the young people who get this. Maybe I can be of help to someone one day with some good advice on how to cope. But hopefully a cure will be found instead;)

I have never been tested before. And to tell you the truth, I wish I hadn't ever requested the test. I have no symptoms - it was just a test....and it has changed my life. Ignorance is bliss.

Thank you so much for your encouragement and advice.

[gracefromHHP]

the biokit only reports with a + or _, no numbers.

pcr blood testing for herpes isn't helpful. herpes isn't blood borne so it won't be detected normally via pcr on blood.

if you need the peace of mind, a herpes WB isn't a bad idea. I think sometimes the peace of mind is worth it. odds are that you do indeed have hsv2 though with the + herpeselect and also a + biokit.  do you know if you were ever tested for it before?

1 out of every 3-4 people you know has hsv2.   the older we get, the more folks who have it. Most people you know also have hsv1 orally. Both are very common.  don't let the "idea" of having herpes bring you down. it's really not as bad as it sounds but it does sometimes take a little getting used to knowing you have it.  

keep asking questions :)

grace