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HSV 1 Transmission
My question is in regards to HSV1. I am a male in my mid 20's and recently met a girl who told me she has hsv1 genitally for almost 4 years and has experienced only 2 very very mild outbreaks. I was doing research on the topic and found how common HSV 1 orally is in people. I have never experienced any sore or anything in any location in my entire life but decided to go get tested anyways. My results came back positive for HSV1, which was a total shock since like I said I never have experienced a symptom and had no idea. My questions are:
1. Since I have never experienced a symptom but have not lead a promiscuous lifestyle would it be safe to say I have it orally like 80% of the population or is there a chance that I have it genitally?
2. The Dr. that gave me my results said that the readings were very low and the virus is on the borderline of being active. What exactly does that mean?
3. Since I do not show visible symptoms does this mean that I shed the virus less, or is that not an accurate assumption?
4. If I do have this virus orally what are my chances of contracting HSV1 genitally from this girl for instance, are my chances increased? Does this also affect my chances of contracting HSV 2 as well?
5. It is my understanding that one can not "re-catch" the virus in the same area, but if one is exposed to the same virus in the same location can it cause the virus to become more active in an individual.
6. Since I show no symptoms now, could that deteriorate with time and the older I get I could start showing symptoms?
7. If I were to contract HSV1 genitally could that increase the virus activity allowing for symptoms to appear?
8. Lastly, I have been reading a lot on recent research and developments that have shown up in the last couple years that are leading a path to a cure within the next decade. Is it accurate to believe that, that may be true or is it really just hype?
Thank you for your time in reading these questions.
1. Since I have never experienced a symptom but have not lead a promiscuous lifestyle would it be safe to say I have it orally like 80% of the population or is there a chance that I have it genitally?
2. The Dr. that gave me my results said that the readings were very low and the virus is on the borderline of being active. What exactly does that mean?
3. Since I do not show visible symptoms does this mean that I shed the virus less, or is that not an accurate assumption?
4. If I do have this virus orally what are my chances of contracting HSV1 genitally from this girl for instance, are my chances increased? Does this also affect my chances of contracting HSV 2 as well?
5. It is my understanding that one can not "re-catch" the virus in the same area, but if one is exposed to the same virus in the same location can it cause the virus to become more active in an individual.
6. Since I show no symptoms now, could that deteriorate with time and the older I get I could start showing symptoms?
7. If I were to contract HSV1 genitally could that increase the virus activity allowing for symptoms to appear?
8. Lastly, I have been reading a lot on recent research and developments that have shown up in the last couple years that are leading a path to a cure within the next decade. Is it accurate to believe that, that may be true or is it really just hype?
Thank you for your time in reading these questions.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You need a doctor who sends their lab work to Quest labs. The western blot code is 34534. You don't need their agreement, you just need them to order the test. If you can't get this test done through a provider in your area, you can call our clinic and become a phone patient and we can order the test for you.
Terri
Terri
Terri,
So I talked to my Dr. about the Western Blot test and he basically thought I was from a differnt planet. This is the same Dr. that said you can only test for it if symptoms are present.
So, I am not sure what I can do next to get this test done. Any suggestions?
Thank you so much for your time, it is greatly appreciated...
So I talked to my Dr. about the Western Blot test and he basically thought I was from a differnt planet. This is the same Dr. that said you can only test for it if symptoms are present.
So, I am not sure what I can do next to get this test done. Any suggestions?
Thank you so much for your time, it is greatly appreciated...
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I think testing with the western blot would be more accurate - we know it is specifically more accurate for HSV 1 than the test you had done.
You are correct, the 1.1 value is very low indeed, and I would always, always order a confirmatory test for someone with that value. The problem with ordering the same test is that if some random protein artificially tripped the test once, it could do it again.
The Quest lab code for the western blot is 34534. Alternatively, you can enter herpes western blot and University of Washington in Google, and it will lead you to their website where you can order testing supplies to be sent to your regular health care provider.
Terri
You are correct, the 1.1 value is very low indeed, and I would always, always order a confirmatory test for someone with that value. The problem with ordering the same test is that if some random protein artificially tripped the test once, it could do it again.
The Quest lab code for the western blot is 34534. Alternatively, you can enter herpes western blot and University of Washington in Google, and it will lead you to their website where you can order testing supplies to be sent to your regular health care provider.
Terri
Terri,
I called in to see what my results were and I was told it was HSV 1 Pos with the number being 1.1. I know that this is very low and like you said there are false positives in this range.
If a test shows presence of antibodies how exactly can it be a false positive, I mean I have the antibodies present?
If I am indeed positive why are my test results in such a low range? Does this also mean that I have a higher chance of contracting hsv1 genitally since my levels are low?
Also my new concern is if my test results are wrong and I am HSV1 Neg what are the odds that this girl I have been in contact with (only kissing) has the virus orally as well by catching the virus in both locations at the sametime. Or does that not happen too often.
I guess this also makes the case of getting re-tested. You mentioned a western blot test, I dont even know how to go about getting one of those. Would re-testing with the blood test not be an accurate approach?
Thanks for your help I really appreciate it.
I called in to see what my results were and I was told it was HSV 1 Pos with the number being 1.1. I know that this is very low and like you said there are false positives in this range.
If a test shows presence of antibodies how exactly can it be a false positive, I mean I have the antibodies present?
If I am indeed positive why are my test results in such a low range? Does this also mean that I have a higher chance of contracting hsv1 genitally since my levels are low?
Also my new concern is if my test results are wrong and I am HSV1 Neg what are the odds that this girl I have been in contact with (only kissing) has the virus orally as well by catching the virus in both locations at the sametime. Or does that not happen too often.
I guess this also makes the case of getting re-tested. You mentioned a western blot test, I dont even know how to go about getting one of those. Would re-testing with the blood test not be an accurate approach?
Thanks for your help I really appreciate it.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1. Since I have never experienced a symptom but have not lead a promiscuous lifestyle would it be safe to say I have it orally like 80% of the population or is there a chance that I have it genitally?
Since you've never had a symptom, it isn't possible to say where your infection is. About 75% of new genital infection in college students is HSV 1, and you aren't far from that age, so hard to say where yours is.
2. The Dr. that gave me my results said that the readings were very low and the virus is on the borderline of being active. What exactly does that mean?
That isn't the correct way to interpret that test result. People who don't understand how to interpret the results probably shouldn't be running the test, but that's another story. Do you know what the index value was of the test result? If it is between 1.1 and 3.5 you may wish to confirm with the western blot test as there are some false positives in that range.
3. Since I do not show visible symptoms does this mean that I shed the virus less, or is that not an accurate assumption?
It isn't an accurate assumption, no. If you are truly infected, then how much you shed during periods when you have no symptoms is similar to the shedding rate of those who have symptoms, in between outbreaks.
4. If I do have this virus orally what are my chances of contracting HSV1 genitally from this girl for instance, are my chances increased? Does this also affect my chances of contracting HSV 2 as well?
Extremely low. We believe that once people have the virus in one location, they are highly unlikely to get it in another, so really, it doesn't matter so much, in this relationship, where you have it.
5. It is my understanding that one can not "re-catch" the virus in the same area, but if one is exposed to the same virus in the same location can it cause the virus to become more active in an individual.
No.
6. Since I show no symptoms now, could that deteriorate with time and the older I get I could start showing symptoms?
Now that you know you are infected with HSV 1, you may be more likely to recognize an outbreak, but that doesn't really happen because of aging.
7. If I were to contract HSV1 genitally could that increase the virus activity allowing for symptoms to appear?
see above.
8. Lastly, I have been reading a lot on recent research and developments that have shown up in the last couple years that are leading a path to a cure within the next decade. Is it accurate to believe that, that may be true or is it really just hype?
I'm not aware of any cure that is on the way in the next decade, no.
Terri
Since you've never had a symptom, it isn't possible to say where your infection is. About 75% of new genital infection in college students is HSV 1, and you aren't far from that age, so hard to say where yours is.
2. The Dr. that gave me my results said that the readings were very low and the virus is on the borderline of being active. What exactly does that mean?
That isn't the correct way to interpret that test result. People who don't understand how to interpret the results probably shouldn't be running the test, but that's another story. Do you know what the index value was of the test result? If it is between 1.1 and 3.5 you may wish to confirm with the western blot test as there are some false positives in that range.
3. Since I do not show visible symptoms does this mean that I shed the virus less, or is that not an accurate assumption?
It isn't an accurate assumption, no. If you are truly infected, then how much you shed during periods when you have no symptoms is similar to the shedding rate of those who have symptoms, in between outbreaks.
4. If I do have this virus orally what are my chances of contracting HSV1 genitally from this girl for instance, are my chances increased? Does this also affect my chances of contracting HSV 2 as well?
Extremely low. We believe that once people have the virus in one location, they are highly unlikely to get it in another, so really, it doesn't matter so much, in this relationship, where you have it.
5. It is my understanding that one can not "re-catch" the virus in the same area, but if one is exposed to the same virus in the same location can it cause the virus to become more active in an individual.
No.
6. Since I show no symptoms now, could that deteriorate with time and the older I get I could start showing symptoms?
Now that you know you are infected with HSV 1, you may be more likely to recognize an outbreak, but that doesn't really happen because of aging.
7. If I were to contract HSV1 genitally could that increase the virus activity allowing for symptoms to appear?
see above.
8. Lastly, I have been reading a lot on recent research and developments that have shown up in the last couple years that are leading a path to a cure within the next decade. Is it accurate to believe that, that may be true or is it really just hype?
I'm not aware of any cure that is on the way in the next decade, no.
Terri
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
