Positive HSV IgG Result

[FrightenedGirl28]

My partner has HSV 2 and I was intimate with him before knowing. The last time we were intimate, he did not have an outbreak, but I understand he could have been shedding. We've been intimate on and off for about 4 months. The last time was about 2 weeks ago. I had the blood test done for HSV on 18 Oct and got a positive result. I picked up a copy of my lab results and I can't make any sense of them:

HSV IGM.....DETECTED
HSV IGM TITER.......1:10
Result comment: Reference range <1:10
Interpretations: Reference Range: <10

HSV 1 IGG......NEGATIVE                              (NEGATIVE)
HSV 2 IGG.......POSITIVE       H                     (NEGATIVE)
Interpretations:
POSITIVE: IgG antibodies to HSV-1 or HSV-2 detected.

I don't know what to do. I have an appointment to follow up with this on Halloween. She did not administer this test. I had this one done by the military clinic on base. Is it possible that I have a false positive going on here? My lab results dont have any numbers other than the titer on it that everyone else is mentioning, so I have nothing giving me any peace of mind. I find it strange too that the doctor on base didn't give me a script for this. Do I have the virus?

Please help. I haven't stopped crying. I feel disgusting and I'm so scared my love life is over.

[gracefromHHP]

WB only reports with a positive or a negative result.

[FrightenedGirl28]

Even its a super low number of antibodies? I mean if the results come back from the western with say a value lass than .90, are you still positive?

[gracefromHHP]

we know that hsv1 infections do increase the risk of false positive hsv2 results.  

I'm guessing your provider isn't all that up to date on herpes testing :(

correct - blood testing only tests for the presence of igg response to being infected with hsv2. if you have the igg antibodies, then you are infected and can potentially transmit the virus to others.

[FrightenedGirl28]

I'll be sure to have him do that. He was positive for HSV1 as well valued at 1.2. Are they linked?

Mine doesn't even have a value on it. How could my doctor feel like I shouldn't be worried if there isn't even a value there?

And assume the western blot does confirm that I have antibodies...do antibodies mean you have the virus and that you can pass it on to others?

[gracefromHHP]

since your former partner didn't have any symptoms either and his hsv2 igg is less than 5, he too should seek out a herpes WB too to confirm his status just to err on the side of caution though it's less of a risk of a false positive with his 4.6 result.

[FrightenedGirl28]

Are both of ours considered low positives?

[gracefromHHP]

if you are in the US, most locations don't report herpes to the health department. it's only considered a reportable disease in a few cities and most of them only report neonatal herpes infections.

there are false positives which is why confirming your status is a good idea since you haven't had any symptoms and have a low positive.  

[FrightenedGirl28]

And I of course read the post before posting. I read all about the WB, I was just saying that maybe my doctor isnt as knowledgeable on this as I need her to be if she thinks its only used to HIV. I sent her an email with all the information on it. I know she will end up researching it before my appointment and I hope she can calm me down.

[FrightenedGirl28]

Grace, I'm so scared. My stupidity could have ruined his life...oh my god.

You said that we don't even know if we have it or not. Does that mean that it's possible to have antibodies for HSV2 and not have the actual virus? The physicians assistant that conducted my initial test said that I for sure have it because I have the antibodies...that I need to report it to Public Health and that I should be informing my partners before hand now and basically be taking every precaution...

[gracefromHHP]

the WB test is more than just for hiv. there is a herpes WB blood test and how to obtain it is listed in our read before posting post on the forum.

if you and your former partner were never tested for herpes before, no way to know who had what first. at this point you don't even know for sure if you have herpes or not.  you might've been infected for a long time and never knew it even. all that is important is knowing who has what for moving forward.

[FrightenedGirl28]

No, he doesn't take anything. He keeps telling that he doesn't think I really have it because I haven't had a breakout. When he got it, he had a breakout and there was no question. We used condoms, but apparently that doesn't matter.

Here is the worst part of all. About 2 months back, him and I stopped being together and I went back to my boyfriend. We were intimate one time. And I was stupid. I didn't think I could have gotten HSV2 if we used a condom. Well, I ended up telling that boyfriend about this positive result when I found out. I fessed up everything. He went and got tested and tested positive for 1 and 2. HSV value of 1.2 and HSV value of 4.6. Did I give this to him? could that really have happened?!

I can't believe this is happening to me. I've read horror stories, but I never thought I would be that girl who got stuck in a triangle and passed on a disease like this.

My doctor said the same thing as you Grace. She looked at my lab report and wasn't worried. She doesn't seem to think I have an issue, but how can she not? I don't have values on my report...She wants to retest in a few months, but she said the WB is for HIV...maybe she isn't educated enough on this...

[gracefromHHP]

bv makes you more likely to contract hsv2 unfortunately.

so your partner is aware that he has hsv2?  d oes he take daily suppressive therapy? do you use condoms together?

you will need to confirm your status with further testing.  I'd wait another 2 months or so and seek out a herpes WB to confirm your status since you haven't had any obvious genital symptoms.

grace

[bliss808]

I know exactly how you feel I just got my results on the 22 one day after my birthday. And I have been staying up at night thinking oh my god what if my son touches the towle i just dried my hands on will he get it. I get up and start wiping everythig down. I've been carrying hand sanitizer with me everywhere i go in the house. I know you feel like youre living in that movie contagion. Your love life isnt over you just have to be a little more ocd about everything. Over the past days of looking at everything on the Internet I've gathered that you can take daily treatments that keep you from infecting your partner. When you have your follow up ask your doctor about it. And with the BV infection I've read that HSV flares up when your immune system is down, so it might be linked. Right now I have a cut that has gotten infected after I found that out I found out about the HSV.

[FrightenedGirl28]

I should also note here that I am being treated for BV (bacterial vaginosis) which is an infection I've been getting pretty often since I started having sex with this person. I get it once every 2 months or so and is kind of the norm for me. Is this linked?