HSV2 but from oral or genital?

[ADJ88]

My results say HSV2 positive (IgG 8.4) but would that mean I definitely contracted it from intercourse or could that mean I have genital herpes but contracted it from oral sex?

How to tell if my genital herpes is from HSV-1 or 2? Can that only be determined if you have an active lesion that is swabbed and tested?

Thank you!

[ADJ88]

I am pretty sure that the torn muscle in my pubic region could be irritating nerves in the region and when it starts to burn it burns all around my genitalia but the locus is where the hernia is.

This is most likely a sports hernia as I have no bulge and I train in a sport that requires a lot of twisting/turning and fast explosive moves, brazilian jiu jitsu.

[Fleetwood20]

Well I'll be, a hernia, I don't know why I've never really thought of that for causing genital symptoms, but it seems rather obvious that it could.

This is a much more rational explanation than herpes causing these symptoms.

[ADJ88]

Fleetwood, an update.

I went to the urologist for my symptoms and he diagnosed me with a hernia (most likely a sports hernia which is about an inch above my genitalia to the left).

When he pushed on it, it immediately started to burn and this burning sensation radiated down around my genitalia.

This might be the cause of my burning but I am still having discomfort/pain/burning in my groin/genitalia.

When this burning starts if I pull on my scrotum it too starts to be hot/burn like it is sensitive to the touch. The burning in the groin also becomes sore to the touch.

Unfortunately I wake up every morning at about 6 am (normally I sleep very well) with pain in my genitalia where I have to go to urinate which relieves the pain.

[Fleetwood20]

The number once in excess of 5 is not really indicative of anything else but a healthy immune system going about its business. When people are first infected then the measured index grows to a high value an will oscillate over time but mostly in excess of 5 at all times.

Your midrange 2.6 value was probably indicative of a recent infection (at the time of the test) and within weeks you'd have tested even higher.

As mentioned HSV2 is a unique virus and close to 99% of infections are genital that have been passed from another person with a genital infection. Hence there is no other practical explanation or consideration for your case.

[Lamps]

Hi Life360, you seem to be very knowledgeable about herpes topics in general, and I also see that you have a lot of respect on this forum, so I was hoping to ask you for clarification of your comment above about a high IgG number indicating an old infection. I was under the impression that the longer a genital herpes infection is in your system, the lower the number tends to go, because the amount of antibodies tends to decrease over time? I'm not really sure because I've read conflicting things, so I don't know what to believe. I know that if I have herpes, then I got it from my only sexual partner 10 years ago, and when I got tested, my number was in the low-positive range, a 2.6. I just thought it was because my body was "getting used to" the infection, and so didn't need as many antibodies. But if you could clarify, I would appreciate it.

[ADJ88]

Thank you Life360.

The only problem now is since I found out my diagnoses end of April I have had constant thigh nerve/pain and a burning groin that won't go away.

I was taking Acyclovir 2 times a day for a week then switched to 3 times a day for a week and now two days on generic valacyclovir for 2 days 1 once daily 500mg.

[Life360_Dave]

Your positive for hsv2 and negative for hsv1. Most likely genital hsv2. With a high number it would appear as quite old infection. One does not cause the other.

[ADJ88]

HSV 1 and 2 Specific AB, IGG

Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Ab Igg   = 0.0 - 0.91                  negative (Status F) not flagged

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Ab. Igg = 8.46                        Flagged H

Notes: Positive for HSV2

[Life360_Dave]

post your test results please

[ADJ88]

But the test doesnt specify whether you have genital herpes caused by HSV1 or HSV2, it just says you have HSV2 to denote that it is genital herpes and not oral herpes.Correct?

The IgG test says I have HSV2 in order to say that I have genital herpes but it could be caused by HSV1?

Or is it that the test shows I have HSV2 which means I have the HSV2 infection genitally and it is caused by HSV2 instead of HSV1?

I thought the IgG test told you whether you have an infection orally or genitally but technically you could have HSV1 genitally that shows on the IgG test as HSV2 to denote the genital infection?

So theoretically you are telling me that if the test came back and said I have HSV1 it could be either oral or genital but I wouldn't know where I was infected?

[Life360_Dave]

I think you confused. Hsv1 doesnot cause hsv2 its a different strain.

[ADJ88]

No, of course I have HSV2 which is genital not oral (almost impossible to have oral HSV2) but my question is: Is my HSV2 (which is genital) caused by HSV1 or 2 and how would I know which one caused it?

Someone could have given me oral and passed HSV1 to my genitals now I have HSV2 (because its located in my genital area) but from HSV1.

I know that HSV1 genitally causes less problems than HSV2 genitally.

[Life360_Dave]

Hi since hsv2 prefers the genital area, it would be from intercourse. Very rare for someone to have hsv2 oral. Not sure what you mean in your second question as you say you have hsv2 not hsv1.  If you only have hsv2 its most likely genital and yes a swab is the only real way to confirm location.