Questions

[empress30]

I have just been diagnosed with HSV 1 & 2. I am devastated! I had never been tested for STD's before because I had always trusted my partners. Now, I don't know who I got it from or who I may have passed it to. I am going to get retested just to make sure but have a few questions I would like to ask. I have never had any symptoms of that go along with the virus so I am at a loss as to how long I have had it.
Questions:
Since I do have 1 & 2 does this mean that I had to perform oral sex with someone to get strain 1?
How contagious is this if I have never had an outbreak?
Can I give or recieve oral sex now that I know I am infected?
Could I have contracted this any other way than sex, ie a toilet seat?
Could I pass this on to my children if they use the bathroom after me?
If someone touches me in the lower region can they contract this?
Do I need to stay on the prescribed medication for the rest of my life?
How do I tell a potential partner about this without fear they will run off?
Should I tell my children about this? When? They are 10,11, & 14. Should I tell their fathers?
Has anyone ever had a false positive?
Should I get retested to confirm?
Sorry for all the questions, I'm just devastated!
Thanks to all who respond!

[bobrope45]

I think Grace will probably advise you that >5 results are rarely false-positive, but you might want to get the Western Blot test - it's a confirmatory test.
Many people carry HSV and never experience symptoms, at least not symptoms that are noticeble. Don't worry about this. =) You're certainly not alone.

[empress30]

Well, I have just been retested and the results came back the same as before. I think that I am handling things a little better after talking to my doctor and doing research on my own. Thanks to everyone for answering my questions and for making me realize that I am not alone on this issue!

[empress30]

Grace,
I wasn't sure if I needed to post directly to you so I am reposting my earlier comments just in case I need to!

I just got my results from the labs. Here are my numbers:
HSV1 IGG Type AB 3.10
HSV2 IGG Type AB >5

What does the type AB mean?
Thanks for all the help!

I have never had any symptoms period! No blisters, and I've never had a cold sore.
I am wondering how to tell if I have both strains in my genitals or hsv 1 in cold sores and hsv 2 genitally?

Is there any way to know for sure where it is?

[empress30]

I have never had any symptoms period! No blisters, and I've never had a cold sore.
I am wondering how to tell if I have both strains in my genitals or hsv 1 in cold sores and hsv 2 genitally?

Is there any way to know for sure where it is?

[justsmile7]

Grace is the only one techinically trained to read your results, but based on what I read and my own experiences, it appears as though you were tested properly, and the results indicate you are positive for both HSV 1 and HSV 2.  The ">5.00" indicates that you probably are infected, and the chances of a false positive are low. :( .. Wait for grace's reply to confirm this.

Do you recall having symptoms?  Confirmation testing isnt recommened with values >5.00, but its up to you to get the Western Blot.. Im still awaiting my results and my results were high.

Its not the end of the world, there are worse things in life. Best wishes and be well.

[empress30]

I just got my results from the labs. Here are my numbers:
HSV1 IGG Type AB 3.10
HSV2 IGG Type AB >5

What does the type AB mean?
Thanks for all the help!

[empress30]

Thank you Grace! As soon as I get my results I will post them.

[gracefromHHP]

if it was actual intercourse then you could've contracted it then. you might never figure out the when and from whom parts.

I will gladly help you with your test results once you get them. just post them here - e.g. hsv1 igg 7.9 and hsv2 igg 2.8 or whatever they are. then I can be sure that you had proper testing and don't need additional confirmatory testing done.

yes, women contract genital herpes more often than men do. we have a lot more nooks and crannies and vulnerable mucosal skin in our genital areas then the men do.

grace

[empress30]

I found out about this through blood tests. They are mailing the lab results to me and I will post them as soon as I get them.
Another question?
I was sexually molested when I was 13 and just recently found out that the person who did this has HSV. I am not sure if actual sexual intercourse took place or if it was only penetration with a finger or other object, since it was from behind. Could I have contracted this from that incident?
I heard that its harder for a woman to pass it to a man than the reverse, is this true?
So, if I have had this for years then not everyone I have been with would get it?
Thanks for your help!

[justsmile7]

First of all.. how were u diagnosed? blood tests? if you post your results we can help you better.

Since I do have 1 & 2 does this mean that I had to perform oral sex with someone to get strain 1?

- No. HSV 1 is a common virus that most adults have. its known as cold sores around the mouth, but can be passed to the genitals as well, but its not as common as around the oral region.


How contagious is this if I have never had an outbreak?
- Its just as contagious if you were someone who had numerous outbreaks per year. The virus is mostly passed on when no symptoms are present.

Can I give or recieve oral sex now that I know I am infected?
you can and a barrier method of protection is your choice, honestly, I was diagnosed with type 2, and i havent had oral sex sense, its whatever you feel comfortable with.

Could I have contracted this any other way than sex, ie a toilet seat?
- no, there have been no documented incidences of the virus being passed this way.Its called a sexually transmitted disease for a reason!


Could I pass this on to my children if they use the bathroom after me?
- No!!
If someone touches me in the lower region can they contract this?
- The chances of that are very very low!

Do I need to stay on the prescribed medication for the rest of my life?
No- daily supressive therapy (to prevent transmission) if your own choice.

How do I tell a potential partner about this without fear they will run off?
- Its a common fear! but remember 1 in almost 5 people have this. Good chance a potential partner will too.. But anyone who will leave because of this stupid virus, isnt worth keeping.

Should I tell my children about this? When? They are 10,11, & 14. Should I tell their fathers?
- in my opinion, I wouldnt tell their fathers unless you are still having sex with them.. as far as your children, im not sure why u would feel its necessary?

Has anyone ever had a false positive?
-yes, people have gotten false positives with low results.. thats why we ask that you post your results.. so grace can read them.

Should I get retested to confirm?
- Its always good to get retested and not rely on just one test....but some people might disagree with me.

Not the end of the world.. I was devasted too.. and its still hard.. but i realize its important to not sweat the small things in life.. and believe or not, this to me, is a small thing.
POST your results..and we'll take it from there!. Be well.
Thanks to all who respond!