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HSV2 transmition to HSV1+ individual
My boyfriend is HSV1+. He has never had a noticable outbreak. He was diagnosed almost 2 years ago after a girl he was casually dating had a first outbreak of HSV2. He tested positive to a blood test, unsure which test or exact results. I am HSV1+ and unfortunately also allergic to latex. Does being infected with HSV1 lower my risk of contracting HSV2? How effective are antivirals in lowering my risks from asymptomatic shedding?
Also, if he gets the numbers from his test is it possible to determine if it was a recent or old infection?
Also, if he gets the numbers from his test is it possible to determine if it was a recent or old infection?
I will gladly take a look at his test results if he wants to post them here. All he has to post are the actual numeric results - e.g. hsv1 igg 7.9 and hsv2 igg 3.3 or whatever they are. I can then make sure he was properly tested and see if he needs additional confirmatory testing to confirm his status for you. It's certainly well worth the effort if he doesn't think he's ever had symptoms.
even if he doesn't have insurance, with a prescription from his medical provider, he can get daily suppressive therapy with acyclovir for under $20/month at most places ( like walmart, costco etc ). He just has to take acyclovir 2x/day in order for it to be effective. It works the same as valtrex but you just have to take it more often.
keep asking questions :)
even if he doesn't have insurance, with a prescription from his medical provider, he can get daily suppressive therapy with acyclovir for under $20/month at most places ( like walmart, costco etc ). He just has to take acyclovir 2x/day in order for it to be effective. It works the same as valtrex but you just have to take it more often.
keep asking questions :)
That is a common misconception about herpes testing. There is never going to be a way to know. Once the anitbody is found the test goes positive. That number doesn't show how much antibody is there.
Get a copy of his results let us see what the values are to ensure he was positive or if he was in the false positive area. It will also help us tell you if he was tested properly.
Condoms protect more on other STD's and that is why they should be used. They are not 100% effective because HSV sores can appear in places that the condom doesn't cover and transmission is done from the direct skin to skin contact with heat and friction.
Get a copy of his results let us see what the values are to ensure he was positive or if he was in the false positive area. It will also help us tell you if he was tested properly.
Condoms protect more on other STD's and that is why they should be used. They are not 100% effective because HSV sores can appear in places that the condom doesn't cover and transmission is done from the direct skin to skin contact with heat and friction.
He's never had an outbreak and only got tested because a partner had an outbreak so I guess it's just worrying about viral shedding. I'm surprised at how little condoms prevent transmission! Hardly seems worth it to me. We are looking into supressive therapy. He doesn't have health insurance so cost is also an issue.
Regarding dating his contraction od hsv2, I thought I had read somewhere that if we took into consideration when he was exposed, the length of time between that and his + test and then his test #'s that may indicate how likely it was that it was a recent or pre-existing infection. It's a bit confusing. Maybe he should get a copy of the results because I have also been reading that there is a window for false positives with the most common test used.
Regarding dating his contraction od hsv2, I thought I had read somewhere that if we took into consideration when he was exposed, the length of time between that and his + test and then his test #'s that may indicate how likely it was that it was a recent or pre-existing infection. It's a bit confusing. Maybe he should get a copy of the results because I have also been reading that there is a window for false positives with the most common test used.
you can use polyurethane condoms if you are allergic to latex.
if your bf takes daily suppressive therapy, you avoid sex anytime he has anything going on genitally and you use condoms, you are 97-98% likely each year NOT to contract hsv2 from him. If you skip the condoms, it's 95-96% likelihood that you won't contract it from him. does he take daily suppressive therapy?
no, we don't have any tests to know how long he's been infected.
if your bf takes daily suppressive therapy, you avoid sex anytime he has anything going on genitally and you use condoms, you are 97-98% likely each year NOT to contract hsv2 from him. If you skip the condoms, it's 95-96% likelihood that you won't contract it from him. does he take daily suppressive therapy?
no, we don't have any tests to know how long he's been infected.
no, having hsv1 doesn't significantly reduce your chances of contracting hsv2.
did you really mean that your bf is hsv2+ and not hsv1?
grace
did you really mean that your bf is hsv2+ and not hsv1?
grace
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
