HSV 1

[mantamway]

I took a urine & blood test and the doctor said I tested positive for HSV 1 in my blood; but, not HSV 2. My urine was fine.  She told me that HSV 1 affects the oral area, while HSV 2 affects your genital area.  She said the test indicated that I had a "recent exposure" to it - 3 months recent.  Well, I'm 26 years old and I've had sores on my lip as far back as high school ( I was not sexually active in high school).  My most recent sore was in the summer of 2009.  I went to an all day, outdoor concert in 90-100 degree weather here in Southern California.  A few days later I had a sore - I just thought it was because I had no chapstick or lip protection from the sun that day - so I figured it was from extremely chapped lips.

I'm confused because the doctor was not that informative in answering my questions.  Because I have HSV 1, does that mean I cannot kiss my girlfriend of 6 years?  Is it possible that this can spread to my genitals?  Should I get tested another way, maybe like a urethra swab, to get a clear picture?

Thank you.

[mantamway]

thank you.

as far as testing for my girlfriend of 6 years, her urine and blood came back clean. negative on all tests.

[gracefromHHP]

your provider misinterpreted the blood test results. You can not ascertain how recently you were infected by the blood test results. also I fear that you had igm testing done and not just igg testing too. can you call the clinic today, ask them to read you your results and post them here for me to look at for you? all I need are the actual numeric results - ie hsv 1 igg 6.6 and hsv2 igg .34 or whatever they are.

To add to your other post, you can have hsv1 orally as well as canker sores both. If you had a cold sore type lesion on your lip in the summer sun, odds are that is hsv1.

You and your partner need to talk about this. your partner will need tested too.  http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_oralherpes.cfm  is a link with good hsv1 oral info on  too for more reading.

grace