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HSV 1 and 2 testing discrepancies?? help please
I think its great that a community like this exists for people to get real medical advice. In any event here is the brief story that I will wrap up with my questions. 1 week ago I felt a tiny sting after urinating, it felt like the sting you would get from a papercut. I grabbed a hand mirror and took a look, I saw a small cut..that looked like it was healing. It was at the bottom opening of my vagina. two days later 2 to 3 bumps appeared. I only felt them when I was urinating or wiping myself. I took a look again and decided to see a medical professional first thing in the morning. I couldn't sleep or eat for fear that i could possibly have herpes. I called my partner and told him about my bumps and discomfort while peeing and together we went to the nearest walk-in clinic. the doctor asked me the routine questions...I told him that I didn't experience any flu-like symptoms, fatigue, body aches or even the intolerable pain I hear that comes with first OB's. for me it was when i pee'd or tried to press on the bumps that i felt discomfort. he peeled back my paper towel skirt and before i could ask him if I need to scoot down further he said "Oh this is herpes!" and in a small voice I said, "are you certain??" and he said "it is overwhelming me consistent with herpatic blah blah blah" (I can't remember what that was) he then says, it looks like you have a yeast infection and vaginal infection too. Then he begins the herpes acceptance speech..."its not the end of the world you will be fine, i will give you some valtrex to treat it and we can go from there" I didn't want to accept it because my partner and I had been together for 2 years and he was tested for a panel of tests in the summer and I was confident he wasn't seeing anyone else. Plus I also knew I wasn't. He also said he had never ever had an outbreak and was far too willing to get retested. Then the doctor prescribed valtrex, metrogel, and diflucan. I then asked if we could take blood work because I've been told a visual examination is not adequate or reliable. He argued that would do it but that it was a waste of time because they are faulty. I then asked what if my results indicate that I am negative? and he said "I still say you are positive" I was so discouraged. The nurse collected my culture and blood samples he eventually agreed to and walked out the room to allow me to dress. My partner who was just seen by the same doctor waited in the lobby for me after his testing. I emerged from the room, before him i had only been with one guy and only one guy. We sat in the parking lot silently. 3 days later my blood results came in and here they are...
Labcorp
HSV 1 and 2-Specific Ab, IgG
HSV 1 IgG, Type Spec <0.91
T pallidum Screening Cascade
T pallidum Antibodies Negative
HSV 2 IgG, Type Spec <0.91 Ratio 0.00-0.90
Negative 1.09
When I went in to talk to him I said, "this looks negative" and he said "No look at your IgM you were mostly likely recently infected since you never had bumps/blisters like that" I was so confused and as a patient I felt foolish challenging him so I asked for a print out and accepted his valtrex prescription. My viral culture hasn't come back and I should find out my partners blood results today.
a little more detail prior to the bumps
-the day after i saw the cut I continued my routine boric acid suppositories as a prevention for BV. However, I ran out of double zero capsules so I used an un-used monistat applicator and filled a little bit of boric acid powder in the applicator and inserted it in my vagina. I suffer from recurrent BV...
----
Question?
-can you please interpret my bloodwork? it appears as if Im negative so why did this doctor say Im positive?
-what do you medically suspect might be the problem?
-was the wrong blood test administered? I thought IgM was irrelevant...right?
-what should I do next?
Any information you guys can offer would be wonderful. I greatly appreciate it.
Labcorp
HSV 1 and 2-Specific Ab, IgG
HSV 1 IgG, Type Spec <0.91
T pallidum Screening Cascade
T pallidum Antibodies Negative
HSV 2 IgG, Type Spec <0.91 Ratio 0.00-0.90
Negative 1.09
When I went in to talk to him I said, "this looks negative" and he said "No look at your IgM you were mostly likely recently infected since you never had bumps/blisters like that" I was so confused and as a patient I felt foolish challenging him so I asked for a print out and accepted his valtrex prescription. My viral culture hasn't come back and I should find out my partners blood results today.
a little more detail prior to the bumps
-the day after i saw the cut I continued my routine boric acid suppositories as a prevention for BV. However, I ran out of double zero capsules so I used an un-used monistat applicator and filled a little bit of boric acid powder in the applicator and inserted it in my vagina. I suffer from recurrent BV...
----
Question?
-can you please interpret my bloodwork? it appears as if Im negative so why did this doctor say Im positive?
-what do you medically suspect might be the problem?
-was the wrong blood test administered? I thought IgM was irrelevant...right?
-what should I do next?
Any information you guys can offer would be wonderful. I greatly appreciate it.
A PCR swab will only be wrong if the lab mixed up samples or somehow contaminates the sample. PCR is also type specific for the actual DNA of the two viruses I believe.
The clinical evidence aligned with symptoms and what you know of your partner all point to a single outcome. A 16 week test will most likely reveal the HSV2 antibodies.
The clinical evidence aligned with symptoms and what you know of your partner all point to a single outcome. A 16 week test will most likely reveal the HSV2 antibodies.
A follow up, my obgyn apparently swabbed me (PCR) and said it came back
Positive for HSV2. My HSV 2 blood work still says negative
But she said in a few months when I retake the test I will see that it's positive.
She suspects it was my first outbreak too. I am numb..I slept for 2 hrs and I've lost 8lbs since all of this. She did think it was bizarre that I wasn't in much pain and that the outbreak was for five days total..but she said the PCR is error-free. I've never had a cold sore so I have no clue why my igg for HSV-1 was 2.38 on Thursday yet 2 days earlier it was negative all together. I still don't know details about my ex boyfriends results. As I was walking out she said "if in your gut you really don't trust these results, get a test in 4 months and the next time you have an outbreak rush in and have us do it again" she then went on to say that lab errors happen and nothing is 100%.
I don't know if she said that to lift myspirits or if she truly believes that. In any event. Should I retest for confirmation or let it go and accept the results?
Positive for HSV2. My HSV 2 blood work still says negative
But she said in a few months when I retake the test I will see that it's positive.
She suspects it was my first outbreak too. I am numb..I slept for 2 hrs and I've lost 8lbs since all of this. She did think it was bizarre that I wasn't in much pain and that the outbreak was for five days total..but she said the PCR is error-free. I've never had a cold sore so I have no clue why my igg for HSV-1 was 2.38 on Thursday yet 2 days earlier it was negative all together. I still don't know details about my ex boyfriends results. As I was walking out she said "if in your gut you really don't trust these results, get a test in 4 months and the next time you have an outbreak rush in and have us do it again" she then went on to say that lab errors happen and nothing is 100%.
I don't know if she said that to lift myspirits or if she truly believes that. In any event. Should I retest for confirmation or let it go and accept the results?
There are issues with HSV1 testing. For a lot of people it is straightforward. For you this may not be the case.
There are some issues with the antigens used in testing kits that for some reason some antibodies just don't seem to stick and other times other junk in your blood just attaches itself. I am not aware of specific issues you can look out for and hence it is largely just a random thing.
Different manufacturer kits have different antigens so with HSV1 some kits might get a reading and others won't. Infection is missed for about 1 in 10 people, but I'm not sure whether this situation changes by using multiple different kits.
With HSV1 you will just about always be left wondering whether it is genital or oral unless you swab a sore.
There are some issues with the antigens used in testing kits that for some reason some antibodies just don't seem to stick and other times other junk in your blood just attaches itself. I am not aware of specific issues you can look out for and hence it is largely just a random thing.
Different manufacturer kits have different antigens so with HSV1 some kits might get a reading and others won't. Infection is missed for about 1 in 10 people, but I'm not sure whether this situation changes by using multiple different kits.
With HSV1 you will just about always be left wondering whether it is genital or oral unless you swab a sore.
Question????
In previous posts I've seen, an igg of under 3.5 can be a false positive
I'm almost certain that if this is hsv1 or 2 it's my first outbreak. When false positives occur what is usually the problem? What exactly is picked up. I just don't see how I was negative on Monday for HSV 1 and then positive in Thursday or hsv1?
I will have to wait til sores reappear for then to be tested. None now
In previous posts I've seen, an igg of under 3.5 can be a false positive
I'm almost certain that if this is hsv1 or 2 it's my first outbreak. When false positives occur what is usually the problem? What exactly is picked up. I just don't see how I was negative on Monday for HSV 1 and then positive in Thursday or hsv1?
I will have to wait til sores reappear for then to be tested. None now
Swabbing any sores is the best you can do at this point.
At 16 weeks after the bumps appeared, have a retest of IgG for HSV1 and HSV2 and see where things sit then.
There just isn't really anything more to practically do.
At 16 weeks after the bumps appeared, have a retest of IgG for HSV1 and HSV2 and see where things sit then.
There just isn't really anything more to practically do.
Here is the update as promised. I called the dr's office back only to find out
My viral culture was mislabeled. I spoke with the doctor directly who said it was resent correctly with the proper label codes. He said, "just last month I had a culture for HSV sent over but they must've changed the codon for it to be processed" he then said, "but I took care of it and I will let you know when it's in" so I replied "will the sample still be good, it's been over a week?" And he said "yeah it shouldn't be a problem, they can preserve it for 6 months" I thought that sounded bizarre but I let it go. Fast forward to this morning and I still haven't heard from the dr's office so I call and they apologized saying the sample wasnt tested because it was old. I was so disappointed. I've been waiting for 15 days. :( anyhow Idk what steps to take now. Here is what I know...
- my ex bf tested positive for HSV....idk what type and will never know
It wasn't type specific though.
- my initial blood tests 3 days after the appearance of lesions/bumps were negative. (Which is expected...too soon)
- the blood test I took 2 days later through my obgyns office came back as
HSV 1 igg 2.38
HSV 2 igg 0.60
HSV 1/11 igm 1.75
- I don't have a culture because the clinic I went to screwed that up
- I had a yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis at the time of the first appearance of the lesion/bumps.
-I took diflucan for the yeast infection while bumps were still present and they vanished 2 days later. Idk if that was the natural ending of an outbreak or if the diddly an treated the infection.
Is there anything I can do to confirm my status at this point?
I've never had cold sores as a child...canker sores yes, cold sores no.
My viral culture was mislabeled. I spoke with the doctor directly who said it was resent correctly with the proper label codes. He said, "just last month I had a culture for HSV sent over but they must've changed the codon for it to be processed" he then said, "but I took care of it and I will let you know when it's in" so I replied "will the sample still be good, it's been over a week?" And he said "yeah it shouldn't be a problem, they can preserve it for 6 months" I thought that sounded bizarre but I let it go. Fast forward to this morning and I still haven't heard from the dr's office so I call and they apologized saying the sample wasnt tested because it was old. I was so disappointed. I've been waiting for 15 days. :( anyhow Idk what steps to take now. Here is what I know...
- my ex bf tested positive for HSV....idk what type and will never know
It wasn't type specific though.
- my initial blood tests 3 days after the appearance of lesions/bumps were negative. (Which is expected...too soon)
- the blood test I took 2 days later through my obgyns office came back as
HSV 1 igg 2.38
HSV 2 igg 0.60
HSV 1/11 igm 1.75
- I don't have a culture because the clinic I went to screwed that up
- I had a yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis at the time of the first appearance of the lesion/bumps.
-I took diflucan for the yeast infection while bumps were still present and they vanished 2 days later. Idk if that was the natural ending of an outbreak or if the diddly an treated the infection.
Is there anything I can do to confirm my status at this point?
I've never had cold sores as a child...canker sores yes, cold sores no.
You are one complex little lady, but I think you knew that already ;)
If there is HSV1 involved here, then interpretation is more difficult. You should get the paper work for all tests that you have had done.
We have been assuming you are negative for HSV1 and HSV2 at the outset. Commercial tests miss 1 in 10 HSV1 infections but are much more accurate for HSV2. Speak with your parents, do either of them have oral cold sores and are they aware of whether you had oral cold sores as an infant? This is a critical piece as many people do have an oral infection. IN your case this could have been missed by your first Labcorp test, but your second test may not have been Labcorp.
The swab may be more helpful, but you will also need to push hard to ensure they have typed the culture correctly if it is positive. It doesn't seem like you are dealing with overly knowledgeable people in the HSV arena.
If you still get keystone cop treatment over the next few days, then the next best thing you can do is wait until 12 weeks post symptoms appearing and consult a new doctor who seems knowledgeable about herpes. Request IgG antibody testing, type specific for HSV1 and HSV2 and that you will be returning person to work through the printed results in detail.
If there is HSV1 involved here, then interpretation is more difficult. You should get the paper work for all tests that you have had done.
We have been assuming you are negative for HSV1 and HSV2 at the outset. Commercial tests miss 1 in 10 HSV1 infections but are much more accurate for HSV2. Speak with your parents, do either of them have oral cold sores and are they aware of whether you had oral cold sores as an infant? This is a critical piece as many people do have an oral infection. IN your case this could have been missed by your first Labcorp test, but your second test may not have been Labcorp.
The swab may be more helpful, but you will also need to push hard to ensure they have typed the culture correctly if it is positive. It doesn't seem like you are dealing with overly knowledgeable people in the HSV arena.
If you still get keystone cop treatment over the next few days, then the next best thing you can do is wait until 12 weeks post symptoms appearing and consult a new doctor who seems knowledgeable about herpes. Request IgG antibody testing, type specific for HSV1 and HSV2 and that you will be returning person to work through the printed results in detail.
My gyno's office called to tell me my results are in and show that I'm hsv1 positive. I asked what testing and she said it's igg and igm combination.
The bumps appeared on Monday and were gone by Saturday. For an initial outbreak I thought it was 2-3 weeks? Also my viral culture still isn't in, apparently it was coded incorrectly so it's going to be run now. Idk what that means. I broke up with my bf so I can't confirm his results, when he told me he tested positive he didn't see his results, they were given to him over the phone. Therefore I can't even put pieces together.
How can my blood test distinguish that I have hsv1 but not detect hsv2. My doctor said it's pretty much all the same. What do you think about the recent developments? And what steps should I take next to get to the bottom of this?
The bumps appeared on Monday and were gone by Saturday. For an initial outbreak I thought it was 2-3 weeks? Also my viral culture still isn't in, apparently it was coded incorrectly so it's going to be run now. Idk what that means. I broke up with my bf so I can't confirm his results, when he told me he tested positive he didn't see his results, they were given to him over the phone. Therefore I can't even put pieces together.
How can my blood test distinguish that I have hsv1 but not detect hsv2. My doctor said it's pretty much all the same. What do you think about the recent developments? And what steps should I take next to get to the bottom of this?
IgM or IgG are antibodies detected in a blood test, no question. Cultures either detect or do not as you suggest.
5 days is about right, although more common for a recurrence or for someone who has oral cold sores already. Neither applies to you. An initial outbreak can be longer with sores coming up progressively over a few days.
5 days is about right, although more common for a recurrence or for someone who has oral cold sores already. Neither applies to you. An initial outbreak can be longer with sores coming up progressively over a few days.
I have a question, when viral cultures are taken do they come back separate from blood tests? I called the clinic i had my tests done at and the nurse who was there when my test was administered said my VIRAL CULTURE came back as 1.04. She claims thats what the HSV IgM 1/11 combination number is. That didn't sound right to me because I thought it either comes back positive or negative, no numeric value. right?
-Also, in most cases of initial outbreaks is it possible for the bumps/lesions/sores to be there for only 5 days? without treatment? is that common or uncommon?
-Also, in most cases of initial outbreaks is it possible for the bumps/lesions/sores to be there for only 5 days? without treatment? is that common or uncommon?
He is hysterical. I will have to Get my hands on it. He isn't all there right now. Here is what I will do, find out the specific test and igg levels. Oh and confirm if it's HSV1. I will also post my culture results. They are due back Monday. I'll be honest, I'm impressed with this site...you guys have been abundantly helpful.
Idk if you pray but if you do, send one up for me...:(
Idk if you pray but if you do, send one up for me...:(
Pretty unlikely don't you think?
Have you confirmed whether it is the type specific for HSV2 test or a combined test?
Have you confirmed whether it is the type specific for HSV2 test or a combined test?
Yes I am and he is in denial.. He keeps saying there is an error in the testing
And that this can't be happening. I am in disbelief. You know what, it's as if you can anticipate everything that is about to happen.
I cannot wait to definitively know my fate. And I'm sure you know what I'm thinking. But I will ask anyway... is it possible that this could be a lab error or false positive??? For him.
And that this can't be happening. I am in disbelief. You know what, it's as if you can anticipate everything that is about to happen.
I cannot wait to definitively know my fate. And I'm sure you know what I'm thinking. But I will ask anyway... is it possible that this could be a lab error or false positive??? For him.
In the genital region, yes HSV1 is typically less of an issue compared to HSV2. Then again as you can see from your boyfriend, HSV2 hasn't potentially impacted him much. The worse thing about it is that he knows. You on the phone with him??
That is possible. In fact very possible. I have never been so scared
And worried in my life. And if it is HSV1 is that the least troublesome herpes?
And worried in my life. And if it is HSV1 is that the least troublesome herpes?
If it was a combined result, then the probability shifts to this being a HSV1 infection received from oral sex.
Infection most probably occurred 4 days before you noticed the bumps, does this fit?
Infection most probably occurred 4 days before you noticed the bumps, does this fit?
Wow! Thanks fleet wood, I will post his results as soon as I get a copy of them. Thanks for being so thorough...so I guess that I can simply hope for a negative culture as well as a follow up blood test that is negative after 12 weeks.
He said he has never had an outbreak or rash. I can't believe he was married to his wife for 13 years without exposing her or any of his previous girlfriends.
In the event that 20.5 was combined result what would that mean???
He said he has never had an outbreak or rash. I can't believe he was married to his wife for 13 years without exposing her or any of his previous girlfriends.
In the event that 20.5 was combined result what would that mean???
Thank you so much for replying. I can't sleep and I keep refreshing the thread in hopes for a response. So thank you.
Question, how high can the levels go and what does a high titer indicate?
If my culture comes back negative with your knowledge do you think it would be inaccurate since his results are really high?
Lastly, my 5 sores are still on my inner labia :
Would it be IMPOSSIBLE for me to have a negative culture and to truly
Not have this virus. In your opinion, does that possibly exist?
Question, how high can the levels go and what does a high titer indicate?
If my culture comes back negative with your knowledge do you think it would be inaccurate since his results are really high?
Lastly, my 5 sores are still on my inner labia :
Would it be IMPOSSIBLE for me to have a negative culture and to truly
Not have this virus. In your opinion, does that possibly exist?
Make sure you get specifically the results of your boyfriend's tests. You are looking for the results of HSV1 and HSV2 separately. It is also possible he had an IgG HSV 1/2 combined test with just the one result. Obtain the exact information.
I'll assume for the remainder of this post that it was IgG specifically for HSV2 that was positive with a 20.5 reading.
Barring a freak lab error, there is no doubt your boyfriend has HSV2. HSV2 is quite infectious, not highly infectious. Outside of outbreaks, the virus is present on the skin at various times that mostly the infected person will be unaware of. It is possible this 'shedded' virus could infect a sexual partner.
Research into couples where the male is infected and female isn't show that after a year of sex, 10% of the females will be infected. The rates vary for a number of reasons, particularly if the infected person does not know about their infection. Hence it can take just a few times to be infected, or many years.
It is believed that about 20% of people with HSV2 do not experience any symptoms. Up to 80% of people do not know they are infected with many not realizing that whatever symptoms they have are herpes.
A negative culture test does not prove an absence of infection. So yes you may still be infected even if the swab comes back negative. A negative IgG antibody blood test after 12 weeks post exposure is more conclusive in the negative.
It is quite possible that your boyfriend has not been tested for herpes before. You would have to see his results and check for the negative IgG result. If he did have a negative result, then he just may have a bit of explaining to do.
I'll assume for the remainder of this post that it was IgG specifically for HSV2 that was positive with a 20.5 reading.
Barring a freak lab error, there is no doubt your boyfriend has HSV2. HSV2 is quite infectious, not highly infectious. Outside of outbreaks, the virus is present on the skin at various times that mostly the infected person will be unaware of. It is possible this 'shedded' virus could infect a sexual partner.
Research into couples where the male is infected and female isn't show that after a year of sex, 10% of the females will be infected. The rates vary for a number of reasons, particularly if the infected person does not know about their infection. Hence it can take just a few times to be infected, or many years.
It is believed that about 20% of people with HSV2 do not experience any symptoms. Up to 80% of people do not know they are infected with many not realizing that whatever symptoms they have are herpes.
A negative culture test does not prove an absence of infection. So yes you may still be infected even if the swab comes back negative. A negative IgG antibody blood test after 12 weeks post exposure is more conclusive in the negative.
It is quite possible that your boyfriend has not been tested for herpes before. You would have to see his results and check for the negative IgG result. If he did have a negative result, then he just may have a bit of explaining to do.
I'm so sorry you're going through this. Testing is so difficult at times.
With your testing, your doctor may have done the bloodiest too early if you were just infected for the first time. The IgG bands can take 4-6 weeks to go positive while your body builds up immune markers to the new virus. You might want to retest again then to be sure.
In terms of your partner, many people are exposed to herpes, become infected, and don't know it because their bodies suppress it enough that there are no clinical signs. However, the virus can have asymptomatic shedding periods, where it is more contagious at certain times than others, without a full outbreak.
If you had contact with him at one of those points, and possibly had a break in your skin, the infection risk would be increased. This goes for either type of HSV, so you may have to wait until the test can confirm if/what type it is?
Your boyfriend may have never known he had it all this time. Blood tests for herpes tend to be mostly accurate, although a 20.5 titer seems high.
If you end up being negative, he still has been exposed to HSV-2 and you would be at risk of catching it whether he has symptoms or not, but I believe the transmission risk is lowered with condom usage and abstaining during any potential outbreaks, as well as if he used maintenance antivirals.
I hope things get better for you!
With your testing, your doctor may have done the bloodiest too early if you were just infected for the first time. The IgG bands can take 4-6 weeks to go positive while your body builds up immune markers to the new virus. You might want to retest again then to be sure.
In terms of your partner, many people are exposed to herpes, become infected, and don't know it because their bodies suppress it enough that there are no clinical signs. However, the virus can have asymptomatic shedding periods, where it is more contagious at certain times than others, without a full outbreak.
If you had contact with him at one of those points, and possibly had a break in your skin, the infection risk would be increased. This goes for either type of HSV, so you may have to wait until the test can confirm if/what type it is?
Your boyfriend may have never known he had it all this time. Blood tests for herpes tend to be mostly accurate, although a 20.5 titer seems high.
If you end up being negative, he still has been exposed to HSV-2 and you would be at risk of catching it whether he has symptoms or not, but I believe the transmission risk is lowered with condom usage and abstaining during any potential outbreaks, as well as if he used maintenance antivirals.
I hope things get better for you!
Do you mind elaborating a little. I'm a bit confused. I have been sleeping with him for 2 years with a condom on and off. And this is the first suspicious indication I have herpes. How is that if he is highly infectious? He didn't exhibit any symptoms whatsoever? No cold sores and no lesions or bumps.
I'm not as knowledgable in this area as you, so explain it to me like you would a teenager.
And are you saying that even if my culture comes back negative due to his positive result I can still be at risk?
How many test will I need to run and how far apart to be certain?
Is a HSV 2 igg of 20.5 in possible. It just seems really high?
What is the likelihood it's a false positive?
Thanks again
I'm not as knowledgable in this area as you, so explain it to me like you would a teenager.
And are you saying that even if my culture comes back negative due to his positive result I can still be at risk?
How many test will I need to run and how far apart to be certain?
Is a HSV 2 igg of 20.5 in possible. It just seems really high?
What is the likelihood it's a false positive?
Thanks again
If he has HSV2, then that is quite infectious genitally. There is about a 10% chance per annum that you can catch this from your boyfriend, if this is not a sign of infection.
Swabs are not conclusive in the negative, but definitive in the positive. This because the virus does not remain on the surface of the skin for an extended period.
Swabs are not conclusive in the negative, but definitive in the positive. This because the virus does not remain on the surface of the skin for an extended period.
He says it's HSV 2. Are you suggesting there is a possibility that a negative culture from me could mean I don't have it. That possibility exists???
Did he test positive for HSV1 or HSV2? If it is HSV1, then he is just one of the 60% of the population who has an oral HSV1 infection.
There isn't much to be gained by speculating in odds, each encounter has a tiny chance of transmission and the dice has been thrown in this case.
If positive, the swab will be definitive. Await that outcome and get your boyfriend's full results.
Note that this is becoming very common. Around half of women who do not have an oral HSV1 infection from their youth will receive genital HSV1 in their lives.
There isn't much to be gained by speculating in odds, each encounter has a tiny chance of transmission and the dice has been thrown in this case.
If positive, the swab will be definitive. Await that outcome and get your boyfriend's full results.
Note that this is becoming very common. Around half of women who do not have an oral HSV1 infection from their youth will receive genital HSV1 in their lives.
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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.
