hsv1 antibodies

[edwardnickel]

I tried to post this once but it didn't show up on the board so excuse me if this is a repeat post.

19 weeks ago I had a single vaginal episode with a partner who ended up testing HSV1 neg /  HSV2 pos.  At 12 weeks I tested HSV1 pos >5 / HSV2 neg <.91 via Herpeselect.  At 18 weeks I tested HSV1 pos 2.59 /  HSV2 neg <.91 via Labcorp.

Now at 19 weeks I have developed a single red bump 1 - 2 mm lesion mid-shaft of penis.  My questions are regarding the possibility that my high HSV1 antibody level has caused a) a possible atypical HSV2 lesion, and b) possibly resulted in a false negative by suppressing HSV2 antibody formation.  It seems the odds off all this taking place in the face of two negative tests is against the odds but none the less, the bump is there.

The lesion is small enough that I can't really call it a blister or vesicle but I am having it looked at by my Dr. later today.  I would hope for a pcr to resolve this dilemma but the lesion actually looks like there is nothing there to swab.

Any thoughts?  (most of this was posted in the community forum)

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Yes, pre-existing HSV 1 antibody can somewhat delay the creation of HSV 2 antibody, but it isn't by a lot.
and Yes, having HSV 1 antibody will almost certainly make HSV 2 symptoms far milder and much more likely to atypical.

And thanks for the compliment, it made me smile ;)  Not always sure the straight forward approach works for everyone, but it's just the only one I have.

Terri

[edwardnickel]

And yes, time to move on.  Dr. said definitely not a herpetic lesion and no need for pcr. I wouldn't have pushed the panic button, but this bump had a noticeable itch associated with it.

Somewhere along the line I inferred from posts made by you and Dr. Hook that pre-existing levels of HSV 1 antibodies could delay the onset of measurable HSV 2 antibody formation.  So, not a false negative per say, but a delay in the creation of measurable levels of HSV 2 IgG.

So (for my own interest) let me re-phrase my questions:

1)  Can pre-existing HSV 1 antibodies delay the immune systems creation of HSV 2 antibodies.

2)  Once infected with HSV 2 can pre-existing HSV 1 antibodies result in attenuated or "atypical" HSV 2 lesions (as opposed to "classic" lesions)

Thank you so much for all you do!  I have read many of your posts and admire your straight forward logical approach.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

It doesn't work like that.  Your high HSV 1 antibody test result (and it isn't high the second time), might make your antibody test for HSV 2 be falsely positive at a low level, but your antibody test for HSV 2 remains negative.  A single vaginal intercourse with someone who is HSV 2 positive is not likely to result in you getting herpes.  It isn't impossible, but it isn't statistically likely either.  If you tested negative for HSV 2 at 18 weeks from the exposure, I would strongly recommend that you put this episode behind you and move on without worry.  I will be interested in what you doctor thought about the bump.

Terri