Aa
Hsv 1 and 2 risk
Hello and thank you for taking my question. I am a 30 year old male and had received unprotected oral sex from a female. The oral sex was rather rough and included rimming as well. I never was in contact with her genitals. There was kissing as well. After receiving oral sex i had asked her if she would get tested for std's.
The 2 episodes were exactly 4 and 6 weeks ago. She subsequently was positive for hsv and her test results are as follows:
Igg type specific by lab corp
Type 1 = 1.67
Type 2 = 3.27
positive if >.91
At two weeks post latest exposure i had tested negative for both type 1 and 2. And ironically before my relationship with her in December had tested negative for 1,2 as well with an igg specific test.
My questions are as follows:
1) what is my risk for hsv-1?
2) what is my risk for hsv-2?
3) the hsv-1 result to me seems low. Can it actually be skewed by the hsv-2 value and thus produce a false positive??
4) can i still have a primary outbreak if i were to be positive after 4 weeks post exposure?
I have been freaking out since learning the news. She claimed to have never experienced any symptoms and says that she never had a sore of any kind orally. Genitally she said that she had one "uncomfortable" bump or feeling in her genitals in June of 2013.
Please help me with any advice.
The 2 episodes were exactly 4 and 6 weeks ago. She subsequently was positive for hsv and her test results are as follows:
Igg type specific by lab corp
Type 1 = 1.67
Type 2 = 3.27
positive if >.91
At two weeks post latest exposure i had tested negative for both type 1 and 2. And ironically before my relationship with her in December had tested negative for 1,2 as well with an igg specific test.
My questions are as follows:
1) what is my risk for hsv-1?
2) what is my risk for hsv-2?
3) the hsv-1 result to me seems low. Can it actually be skewed by the hsv-2 value and thus produce a false positive??
4) can i still have a primary outbreak if i were to be positive after 4 weeks post exposure?
I have been freaking out since learning the news. She claimed to have never experienced any symptoms and says that she never had a sore of any kind orally. Genitally she said that she had one "uncomfortable" bump or feeling in her genitals in June of 2013.
Please help me with any advice.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Well put.
Terri
Terri
Hi Terri,
Yes, this happens when you go on every herpes related post on the internet to find answers and solutions, in hopes to save the relationship w someone who means so much to you . Well meant .. Anyway, to people who might be reading this post, do not freak out! It comes with a huge stigma slapped unto it. I've had it for more than a year I'm assuming (since the only guy I've slept with was 1.5-2 yrs ago) and if it wasn't for the test, I would not even know I have it. I haven't experienced any painful outbreaks, maybe a lil discomfort down there back in summer . Those google pictures are very drastic, It wasn't anything like that, or else I would know . And as far as dating goes, if your partner has it, she/he can start the suppressive therapy+use condoms. It reduces the risk of contracting the virus by 99%.. Are there chances of you getting in a car crush today and dying? Yes . Does it mean you should stop driving ? No .
Bottom line, it's not a big deal. I talked to enough doctors to know this.. If you're STILL making a big deal out of it, at least be straight up about it with your partner, and tell them that's the reason why you're walking away. It'll make them realize it wasn't worth it in the first place. (: hope this helped!
Yes, this happens when you go on every herpes related post on the internet to find answers and solutions, in hopes to save the relationship w someone who means so much to you . Well meant .. Anyway, to people who might be reading this post, do not freak out! It comes with a huge stigma slapped unto it. I've had it for more than a year I'm assuming (since the only guy I've slept with was 1.5-2 yrs ago) and if it wasn't for the test, I would not even know I have it. I haven't experienced any painful outbreaks, maybe a lil discomfort down there back in summer . Those google pictures are very drastic, It wasn't anything like that, or else I would know . And as far as dating goes, if your partner has it, she/he can start the suppressive therapy+use condoms. It reduces the risk of contracting the virus by 99%.. Are there chances of you getting in a car crush today and dying? Yes . Does it mean you should stop driving ? No .
Bottom line, it's not a big deal. I talked to enough doctors to know this.. If you're STILL making a big deal out of it, at least be straight up about it with your partner, and tell them that's the reason why you're walking away. It'll make them realize it wasn't worth it in the first place. (: hope this helped!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Wow. I think this is the first time on these boards that I have seen someone actually identify someone they have had sex with in these postings.
Terri
Terri
LOL! David , I might have herpes but I'm pretty sure you're good, especially when you didn't have any contact w my genital area.
And, aw you're getting involved with a new partner? Lol congrats, hopefully you don't act like a wuss w her. Herpes is totally manageable and isn't even serious. But well at least now I know that THIS WASSSS the reason you bounced in the first place , and not any of the other excuses you made up.. And I was crying over you for 3 months , wow .. Now I know better , and forget everything I told you , you don't even deserve me you ignorant, selfish person. Peace ✌️
And, aw you're getting involved with a new partner? Lol congrats, hopefully you don't act like a wuss w her. Herpes is totally manageable and isn't even serious. But well at least now I know that THIS WASSSS the reason you bounced in the first place , and not any of the other excuses you made up.. And I was crying over you for 3 months , wow .. Now I know better , and forget everything I told you , you don't even deserve me you ignorant, selfish person. Peace ✌️
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Maybe you could just get tested again at 12 weeks and leave it at that. I don't believe your situation put you at risk for HSV 2. As far as HSV 1 goes, you can either order the western blot or just go with the ELISA results. You've already done way more than most people do to determine their status.
Terri
Terri
Hello Terri. To give u an update I have not experienced any symptoms now after 6 weeks. I have been a little anxious though as I am now getting involved with a new partner who has tested negative for everything. I told her my situation and wanted advice. I would like to know what you would recommend in my case now. You're post previously said that you would not likely test me again based on my situation however as far as the sexual contact went with the previously infected partner, even though I had no intercouse and don't recall any sort of constant contact with her genitals, we were both naked and their might have been some genital contact although not constant and no penetration. Was wondering what I should do. Should I get tested now. I plan on getting tested in 12 weeks anyways but I am anxious.
What are the chances of being infected but being completely asymptomatic. Thanks for your help.
What are the chances of being infected but being completely asymptomatic. Thanks for your help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The western blot is more sensitive for HSV 1 than the ELISA, correct. We don't know exactly how sensitive it is for HSV 1, compared to the ELISA however. Yes, we can help your partner obtain a western blot for herpes.
Terri
Terri
Hi Terri. Thank you. Ur words were helpful and it is reassuring to know that hsv-2 risk is almost none. In regards to hsv-1 the only thing resembling a symptom that I had post encounter was a bleeding cut inside my lip that subsequently became infected and turned white. The reason for that was that I had bit the inside of my lip while chewing and that's how I believe it started.
As far as the risk for hsv-1 though my question of possible contraction would in your opinion be oral, genital or both?
Lastly as far as the western blot test for my female partner, I was aware that it's the gold standard for type 2 but can it actually equally effectively give a definitive answer for type 1??
Can I refer my partner to your office to take this test?? We are in California
Thank you again for everything. G-d bless what all of you do for people on this site.
As far as the risk for hsv-1 though my question of possible contraction would in your opinion be oral, genital or both?
Lastly as far as the western blot test for my female partner, I was aware that it's the gold standard for type 2 but can it actually equally effectively give a definitive answer for type 1??
Can I refer my partner to your office to take this test?? We are in California
Thank you again for everything. G-d bless what all of you do for people on this site.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If I had to guess, I would say she likely does have HSV 2 and may or may not have HSV 1. Both values are actually in the low positive range (1.1 to 3.5) and we would do a western blot for her if she was our patient to confirm both. She's getting pretty close to the top of that range with the HSV 2, but not the HSV 1, it could certainly be a false positive, but without a western blot we can't say for certain.
At any rate, I don't believe you have any risk from her HSV 2 infection if indeed she has it due to no contact with her genital area. It is possible, if she really does have HSV 1 that you could have contracted that, but since you have had no symptoms for four weeks, I think that is unlikely. People with no antibody who acquire new infection are very often symptomatic to the degree that it is noticeable within 2 to 10 days after the encounter.
Again, if you were our patient, we would likely not retest you later, given the kind of contact that you had, her low HSV 1 positive, your lack of symptoms within the first 2 to 10 days and your continuing negative antibody test. However, as you know, a test at 2 weeks is not reliable if you want to be more certain.
Is that helpful?
Terri
At any rate, I don't believe you have any risk from her HSV 2 infection if indeed she has it due to no contact with her genital area. It is possible, if she really does have HSV 1 that you could have contracted that, but since you have had no symptoms for four weeks, I think that is unlikely. People with no antibody who acquire new infection are very often symptomatic to the degree that it is noticeable within 2 to 10 days after the encounter.
Again, if you were our patient, we would likely not retest you later, given the kind of contact that you had, her low HSV 1 positive, your lack of symptoms within the first 2 to 10 days and your continuing negative antibody test. However, as you know, a test at 2 weeks is not reliable if you want to be more certain.
Is that helpful?
Terri
I have not had any visible sores or symptoms.
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
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.
