Thank you again for your help!
Oh my god. I'm confused, too.
So first, we can ignore the IgM. Let's take that out of the picture. It's a worthless test, it's wrong at least as often as it is right, but some estimates say it's wrong as often as 90% of the time. It's not type specific, so it's not helpful even if it was correct, which we don't know. So let's ignore that. Also, the IgM is looking for new infections. Your test was done in March. Your infection was in Sept. That's not new, medically speaking. The IgM antibodies wouldn't be there any longer. IgM antibodies may last a few months after infection. You tested at about 5.5 months, give or take. You wouldn't have IgM antibodies at that point.
So you have a positive culture that only tested for type 2 in Sept, because, as they explain, type 1 dual infection is extremely rare, so they skipped it. (eye roll - that's my editorial comment. It may be rare, but what if you were one of the rare ones? Unhelpful.)
Then you had negative type specific IgG hsv1 and hsv2 tests in March.
I would suggest that you get a Western Blot test done. The IgG hsv2 misses about 8% of infections, and the hsv1 IgG test misses about 30% of infections. The Western Blot is a different kind of test and looks for different things, so it doesn't miss the infections. If you have it, it will find it.
A culture is typically considered the gold standard, but there are errors, and human error, especially. Given that you have conflicting results, I'd recommend the WB.
You can have your doctor order it, if she will. If she won't, you can go through Terri Warren at Westover Heights but you'll have to self-pay. https://westoverheights.com/getting-a-herpes-western-blot/
Whatever you decide, it's right for you. It's okay. You can schedule a consult with Terri and get her opinion - she's the best there is. Whatever you decide, we'll be here to help you walk through it.
I'm sorry it's so confusing. :(
These are all my lab results. Now I'm really confused:
https://imgur.com/a/XX7Xv5L
I did confront him with this after I found out. But he's in denial ... it's sad because I'm sure he's infecting other people. And yes we had both oral sex and intercourse. What you saw are the notes based on the swab test results. I do go back to my doctor tomorrow morning to check if I have BV. I'll request a copy of the blood test then. Thank you for your responses.
Okay, all that means is that your doctor is diagnosing you with type and type 2. Those are basically his clinical notes, not lab results. That doesn't show how he came to that diagnosis, and we know he's an idiot.
It would be really unique for one swab to come back with 2 types of herpes on it. Again - not impossible, but really unique.
I'm not disputing that you have herpes - if you had a positive swab, I'm sure you do.
Do you know your source partner? Did you tell him about all this? Has he been tested? Did he give you oral sex as well as you having intercourse?
If you do have both in the same location, we just don't have a lot of info on how that affects shedding and transmission. I can't find anything on it. :(
As for the positive-negative blood test I have to get those results from my doctor's office. I don't understand what that means either. But I know for sure I have it because of the swab test.
https://imgur.com/a/I3r3Yut
I did end up going to Planned Parenthood and got a prescription. And yes my doctor is an idiot. I struggle with getting accurate information. I was told that unless I have an active outbreak I'm not contiguous and not to worry. I'm reading otherwise.
I tried uploading my results but it did some weirdness that I request to have removed for privacy purposes. I understand once you get a swab test it is 100% accurate. So my question is having both HSV1 and 2 in the genital area, does this make me worse? as far as shedding and transmission.
And the discharge to your point can be BV and yeast. I'm going back to the doctors tomorrow. But are both somehow associated with having genital herpes?
How do you know you have both hsv1 and hsv2 in the genital area? How were you diagnosed with this? Did you have cultures that came back specifically with both hsv1 and hsv2?
If you had a culture that came back positive for herpes, and then had a blood test that says, "HSVI & II IgG positive", that is a combination test that means that you are either positive for type 1 OR type 2 OR both.
Can you get your lab results and post them here and we can figure that out?
It's not impossible for you to have both, but I just want to make sure you have been diagnosed correctly.
We don't have a lot of info about what having both genitally does to shedding rates. What side effects of Valtrex are you afraid of? It's safe to take long term in most people. Lysine may help prevent outbreaks but it doesn't do anything to help reduce shedding or transmission.
Have you tested positive for yeast? I ask this because you could be self-treating for yeast, but could in fact have bacterial vagnosis, which is also a very common vaginal infection. You could have both yeast and BV. If you are having chronic yeast, you should see your doctor.
Has your current boyfriend actually tested negative for herpes, or are you all going by symptoms?