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HSV 2 and negative for HSV 1
I have been getting cold sores for more than 20 years and just always assumed it was HSV1. I was just diagnosed with HSV2 and negative for 1. I have never ever had an outbreak in my genital region. Does this mean I have oral HSV2?
I am 49 and they started around 24 years old. They were cold sores for sure because when I used medicine (Acyclovir) they went away much faster.
HSV1 .91
HSV2 17.40
HSV1 .91
HSV2 17.40
By "type" I don't mean the virus, but type of sores: blisters, open ulcers, red bumps, and so on. How old are you?
Say more about your cold sores. Can you describe them? Type, exactly where, how long each lasts, things like that.
Also it would help if you can give the details of your blood test results. If you have the lab report (or get it from your doctor or lab), let me know what it says, especially the numerical results for both HSV1 and HSV2. And we'll take it from there.
Also it would help if you can give the details of your blood test results. If you have the lab report (or get it from your doctor or lab), let me know what it says, especially the numerical results for both HSV1 and HSV2. And we'll take it from there.
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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.
With that blood test result, for sure you have HSV2. However, I doubt it is the cause of your oral herpes. HSV2 can infect the oral area, but usually along with genital, rarely by itself; and recurrent oral herpes due to HSV2 is very rare. The standard blood tests sometimes (5-10% of cases) remain negative in people with HSV1. That said, the only way to be 100% certain is to visit a doctor or clinic promptly (within a couple days) the next time you have an oral herpes outbreak, so it can be tested for the virus. The preferred test is a DNA test, such as PCR, although culture is acceptable if it's the only test available to the doctor or clinic.
And of course you should now be on the alert for possible mild outbeaks of genital herpes you might have previously missed. Research shows that about half of people with positive HSV2 blood tests, without symptoms, come to recognize mild outbreaks once on the alert for them. You'll also need to inform your sex partners of your HSV2 infection.
Good luck--