Is testing necessary? If so, what specific test?

[anxiouskate]

I was a frequent visitor on this board years ago. Went through all the anxiety of questions, and testing, and asking about the specific numbers and what they mean.

Well, unfortunately I'm back. I had a new partner about a year and a half ago. I never had any symptoms other than a UTI a few days afterward. I may have a new partner soon, and obviously I want to know if I am "clean." However, I have forgotten all I learned on here about specific tests. I am planning on going to Planned Parenthood, but does anyone know what tests they use? Or which ones I should request?

Also, has anyone read this article about why not to get tested if you have no symptoms? Thoughts? http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20189886,00.html

[feelingundone]

Hsv1 offers little to no protection. Hsv2 is rarely ever spread through oral sex. It simply doesn't like the oral cavity. So the odds are extremely low for that to have happened. Plus oral hsv2 has few if any outbreaks and sheds so very little that it's highly unlikely you could ever spread it to someone else. They would be at a much higher risk from your hsv1 as it would be the dominant infection orally.
Now that I've covered that. I want to ask you to take a deep breath and relax. No need to over stress or over think this. The odds you've contracted hsv2 is very small.

[anxiouskate]

I tested negative. Thank you so much, feelingundone, for all your help. It means so much to me, and I'm sure to others, that you dedicate your time to help others out like this.

[feelingundone]

Not in that kind of time. The western blot will take weeks to get the results.

[anxiouskate]

Back again while waiting for my response. Sounds bad, but I completely forgot about another encounter I had had around the same time. This one was oral only, with me giving unprotected oral to a man.

Is it possible to transmit HSV-2 this way even if I never showed symptoms? I've read it's not as likely to get oral HSV-2, but can you still show up positive for HSV-2 and just never show any oral symptoms? Is it possible to not transmit anything even without a condom?

[anxiouskate]

also, to add again, i already know i have hsv-1... does that add any "protection" to getting hsv-2 orally?

[feelingundone]

Igg is what you want. There is always a posibility of a false low positive. Esp when you have hsv1. We will worry anout that if it happens

[anxiouskate]

It's supposed to take 7-10 days for the results. I'm on kind of a time crunch because I'm traveling to see my new partner the 29th. Is there anyway to set up and be ready to find a westernblot if I get a low positive? (Or heck even any positive.)

[feelingundone]

Antibiotics do not help herpes at all. Nothing you describe sounds like hsv at all. You can test if you want. Igg only. That being said i see no reason to think it's warranted in your situation. I wish you luck and keep me posted.

[anxiouskate]

I asked them what kind of testing they do. The nurse went and got a sheet of all the tests and said "umm, not sure. whatever it says here." and it said "igg antibody" from what i recall. So that should be good right?

I swear the doctor did not understand what I was asking at all when it came to inquiring about false positives. Noting, apparently they only test for HSV-2 at Planned Parenthood since everyone pretty much has HSV-1.

Just wondering if my partner is clean (can't trust me), are the chances still there for me to receive a false positive since I have HSV-1? It's been 1.5 with no lesions I've noticed.

[feelingundone]

It does increase the chances of a hsv2 test being positive. Hsv2 tests are sensitive and cross over can and does happen.
If it were me. i wouldn't bother to test from a single encounter where no symptoms (lesions) happened. The odds are extremely low. So low it does not warrant concern. If you test igg only.

[anxiouskate]

Thanks for continuing to help me with this. I'm just in a hurry to get answers as I've put off getting tested since I had no plans to become sexually active again, and have a doctor appointment tomorrow, and seeing someone in a few weeks.

Could I ask another question? I did have what I think was a UTI after the 1.5 year ago encounter. Pain when urinating, blood in urine, etc. I'm not sure if the doctors actually said it was a UTI, but I was put on antibiotics, and it cleared up. I guess this might have been a herpes infection? I think I checked out the area, and it only seemed red and irritated, I've never actually seen a sore or lesion.

Knowing this, do you still think I should not bothering testing with my 1.5 of no other symptoms (that I have been aware of at least. I suppose I could have had some, and not felt it enough to check.)

[feelingundone]

Then you can do an igg blood test. Absolutely do not let them talk you into an igm as well. They are useless and false positives are very common.

[anxiouskate]

Are false positives common at all for someone who has waited as long as I have? The encounter I had a year and a half ago was a one time thing, and I have had no contact since thing. I have already tested positive for HSV-1 in the past, so I don't know if that has anything to do with false positive being more likely.

[feelingundone]

Since all you can do is a blood test. Get the igg only. No igm
How long ago was your last sexual encounter? Igg tests are conclusive around 12 weeks from exposure.
The std community is split on routine testing witnout symptoms. This is due to potential false positives.

[anxiouskate]

My last sexual encounter was a year and a half ago.