Aa
Searching for information
I am hoping to find clarity and information. I started to have some problems over a few months ago. Basically the end result was some additional test (to play it safe since my husband and I (been together for 8 years) have been trying to get pregnant with our 2nd child) and one was an IGG HSV 2 test that came back positive 2.43. This was a complete shock because though I was having irratation; I have never had a blister or lesion. I have been with my doctor for 9 years and he said I could have been exposed years ago and just never had any symptoms. This horrified me on many different levels.
My biggest concern was my daughter. I had a beautiful daughter 2 and half years ago. I have read neonatal herpes is rare but I was very scared for her. It was just so scary because I was in labor for 12 hours and my membranes were ruptured for 10 of the 12 hours. I also had a fever so she had a fever when she was born and since we did not know of my status then they only looked for a bacterial infection. We have consulted with her pediatrician and she says she is perfectly fine and if something had been wrong she would have been very sick.
I still have concerns for her because I just don't feel I know enough. I have read and read but never really thought about herpes which is probably weird to most because I have had HSV 1 for at least 12 + years. I felt embarrassed as I started reading the boards because I never thought about the harm HSV 1 could have done to my newborn; if I would have kissed her when she was so young. I only get a cold sore about once every 6 months.
I am very fearful that "what if" I pass HSV 2 to her in every day activities. I have read on the Internet stories that just scare me. One women's post I read is about her 4 year old daughter who was just diagnosed with HSV 2. She then found out she had it and they took her daughter away because they suspect child abuse but they have found no trauma.
So we just started designating my daughter's own towels (after reading many post). I know sometimes we will use the same towel from time to time but from reading found that we shouldn't. I just don't know what else we should not be doing? I am so fearful in part because I don't have traditional breakouts if any at all so I am so scared that she will touch something after me and catch it. We are usually very good about washing hands but just the other day I was examining myself and I put a mirror down that I had been using, I went straight to the bathroom came out washed my hands and tuned to see she had followed me into the bathroom and when I came out she had the mirror in her hand. I freaked and washed her hands over and over again. I don't want to live in fear. But now every irritation or feeling below the belt, I think is this a breakout now. I just don't know. I even had what I thought was a heat rash on my thighs but now I question it is it or is it herpes?
Should I retest with an IGG test for HSV 2? I know I have HSV 1 but have never been tested, should I get tested to see what my levels are? When my doctor got my HSV 2 test results back he said we could retest but he does not think or feel false positives happen with the IGG test.
I called Labcorp and they said they do Western Blot testing but I have read you can only get it through the university. Can someone clarify why would they say that if you can only get it from the university?
We were working on a second child when this all happened and we have stopped. My husband still wants another child but I am scared. When going through genetic testing if they recommend an amino because they suspect a problem (not herpes related); is it even safe to have an amnio test because of my HSV 2 status?
THANK YOU!
My biggest concern was my daughter. I had a beautiful daughter 2 and half years ago. I have read neonatal herpes is rare but I was very scared for her. It was just so scary because I was in labor for 12 hours and my membranes were ruptured for 10 of the 12 hours. I also had a fever so she had a fever when she was born and since we did not know of my status then they only looked for a bacterial infection. We have consulted with her pediatrician and she says she is perfectly fine and if something had been wrong she would have been very sick.
I still have concerns for her because I just don't feel I know enough. I have read and read but never really thought about herpes which is probably weird to most because I have had HSV 1 for at least 12 + years. I felt embarrassed as I started reading the boards because I never thought about the harm HSV 1 could have done to my newborn; if I would have kissed her when she was so young. I only get a cold sore about once every 6 months.
I am very fearful that "what if" I pass HSV 2 to her in every day activities. I have read on the Internet stories that just scare me. One women's post I read is about her 4 year old daughter who was just diagnosed with HSV 2. She then found out she had it and they took her daughter away because they suspect child abuse but they have found no trauma.
So we just started designating my daughter's own towels (after reading many post). I know sometimes we will use the same towel from time to time but from reading found that we shouldn't. I just don't know what else we should not be doing? I am so fearful in part because I don't have traditional breakouts if any at all so I am so scared that she will touch something after me and catch it. We are usually very good about washing hands but just the other day I was examining myself and I put a mirror down that I had been using, I went straight to the bathroom came out washed my hands and tuned to see she had followed me into the bathroom and when I came out she had the mirror in her hand. I freaked and washed her hands over and over again. I don't want to live in fear. But now every irritation or feeling below the belt, I think is this a breakout now. I just don't know. I even had what I thought was a heat rash on my thighs but now I question it is it or is it herpes?
Should I retest with an IGG test for HSV 2? I know I have HSV 1 but have never been tested, should I get tested to see what my levels are? When my doctor got my HSV 2 test results back he said we could retest but he does not think or feel false positives happen with the IGG test.
I called Labcorp and they said they do Western Blot testing but I have read you can only get it through the university. Can someone clarify why would they say that if you can only get it from the university?
We were working on a second child when this all happened and we have stopped. My husband still wants another child but I am scared. When going through genetic testing if they recommend an amino because they suspect a problem (not herpes related); is it even safe to have an amnio test because of my HSV 2 status?
THANK YOU!
labcorp doesn't do the herpes western blot test. they do other western blot based serology but not for herpes.
grace
grace
Thank you for taking time to respond. I am so grateful. I actually also posted on raccoon and Grace responded. She gave me some great information to go on as well as you have. It helps me start to feel at ease talking to others. I have not shared with any family members or friends so I have felt very alone. My husband is amazing and very supportive but it is nice to be able to communicate with others. I have had other partners prior to my husband but we have been together for 8 years so no one else in actually 9 years.
THANK YOU:)
THANK YOU:)
Wow lots of questions! Which I don't blame you. Though I am not a parent I can understand a parents fears when it comes to their children (I was my mom's favorite because I was the oldest. At least she told me that lol).
Okay first off I don't read someones results. I won't interpert them. BUT I do want you to take a breath here and PLEASE calm down. Let's not call in the calvary just yet. While I don't generally give much advice when it involves testing because I prefer grace who is trained to give such advice I will say some things as "General Info" and not as I am saying this applies directly to you. So please understand that.
When we see posters here who post up that they haven't had symptoms they can recall of HSV-2 and they have a certain result on the IGG tests the response that is given is that you may have a false positive which should be tested using confirmatory testing. Now with that said a few things do change and that is what grace looks for. So forgive my questions if they seem a littler personal but I do want to help.
Have you had any other sexual partners other than your husband?
The reason I ask this is because if you have had no addiditonal partners (and I am not trying to imply you have just making sure you get accurate info) then I would have him tested using an IGG type specific test for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. Unless he knows he has cold sores as well at which point just do HSV-2. If he comes back negative and you and him have been the only partners then chances are you may have a false negative.
Now if you have had other sexual partners then a Western Blot would be the best bet to go if your last sexual encounter with them was longer than 4 months ago. The western blot is the gold standard in HSV testing and what the other tests are compared to. The only lab that does the WB is the University of Washington. No other labs will do it. They may draw the blood and they will send it to them but the UofW is the only place that does that test.
I can say with 15+ years of internet experince and computers that you don't believe everything you read online. Why? Because people get kicks off making others scared and passing out information. Being that I have family in law and law enforcement the case you describe makes me feel that something more was involved then just what was told there. But that is neither here nor there. The bottom line is let's get you informed about herpes and you can move from there.
I would stick with the towels being seperate for obvious reasons and not because of the possible HSV-2. If you have HSV-2 then you aren't going to give it to your daughter by touching yourself and then a mirror and her picking it up. Herpes needs heat and friction to get into the skin. While childrens skin is not as strong as adults in some ages you don't have to worry about everything you touch. Herpes doesn't live long outside of the body. We advise against sharing towels only because they can keep some heat and the virus could live longer there.
If you have hsv-2 then its mostly going to be genital (oral HSV-2 is rare) . Genital is considered a STD for obvious reasons. You need to have sex to transmit it. So hopefully that will cut down on your fear of your daughter. Neonatal HSV is uncommon when dealing with someone who has been told they have HSV and had it prior to getting pregnant. If your doctor feels something looks like an outbreak they will do a c-secton.
Now on to HSV-1. Avoid kissing your little girl during times of a cold sore. Obvious that is the best way to avoid transmission. But this is how most of us get it is through active or a shedding of a cold sore and we get it as a child. With a newborn avoid kissing near the eyes and lips of your child. Kiss the forehead and cheeks. Thats the best way to avoid it.
If your child (either your girl or your future child) does get HSV-1 orally Child Protective Services (or equivilent in your city, state, or country) is not going to break down your door and take your child away. So let's not go that far.
But I tell you what you should do. Let's get you information from knowledgeable people. I would like for you to read our forums and listen to the advice that grace gives you. She knows this stuff extremely well and you can believe her information is really accurate. She isn't afaird to tell someone that she isn't sure and either will find out for you or advise you to consult with our HSV or STD experts here at MH. For now don't go off reading other places. Do ask us questions. We can guide you to reputable places for information.
Grace should get you an answer as well on your results.
Okay first off I don't read someones results. I won't interpert them. BUT I do want you to take a breath here and PLEASE calm down. Let's not call in the calvary just yet. While I don't generally give much advice when it involves testing because I prefer grace who is trained to give such advice I will say some things as "General Info" and not as I am saying this applies directly to you. So please understand that.
When we see posters here who post up that they haven't had symptoms they can recall of HSV-2 and they have a certain result on the IGG tests the response that is given is that you may have a false positive which should be tested using confirmatory testing. Now with that said a few things do change and that is what grace looks for. So forgive my questions if they seem a littler personal but I do want to help.
Have you had any other sexual partners other than your husband?
The reason I ask this is because if you have had no addiditonal partners (and I am not trying to imply you have just making sure you get accurate info) then I would have him tested using an IGG type specific test for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. Unless he knows he has cold sores as well at which point just do HSV-2. If he comes back negative and you and him have been the only partners then chances are you may have a false negative.
Now if you have had other sexual partners then a Western Blot would be the best bet to go if your last sexual encounter with them was longer than 4 months ago. The western blot is the gold standard in HSV testing and what the other tests are compared to. The only lab that does the WB is the University of Washington. No other labs will do it. They may draw the blood and they will send it to them but the UofW is the only place that does that test.
I can say with 15+ years of internet experince and computers that you don't believe everything you read online. Why? Because people get kicks off making others scared and passing out information. Being that I have family in law and law enforcement the case you describe makes me feel that something more was involved then just what was told there. But that is neither here nor there. The bottom line is let's get you informed about herpes and you can move from there.
I would stick with the towels being seperate for obvious reasons and not because of the possible HSV-2. If you have HSV-2 then you aren't going to give it to your daughter by touching yourself and then a mirror and her picking it up. Herpes needs heat and friction to get into the skin. While childrens skin is not as strong as adults in some ages you don't have to worry about everything you touch. Herpes doesn't live long outside of the body. We advise against sharing towels only because they can keep some heat and the virus could live longer there.
If you have hsv-2 then its mostly going to be genital (oral HSV-2 is rare) . Genital is considered a STD for obvious reasons. You need to have sex to transmit it. So hopefully that will cut down on your fear of your daughter. Neonatal HSV is uncommon when dealing with someone who has been told they have HSV and had it prior to getting pregnant. If your doctor feels something looks like an outbreak they will do a c-secton.
Now on to HSV-1. Avoid kissing your little girl during times of a cold sore. Obvious that is the best way to avoid transmission. But this is how most of us get it is through active or a shedding of a cold sore and we get it as a child. With a newborn avoid kissing near the eyes and lips of your child. Kiss the forehead and cheeks. Thats the best way to avoid it.
If your child (either your girl or your future child) does get HSV-1 orally Child Protective Services (or equivilent in your city, state, or country) is not going to break down your door and take your child away. So let's not go that far.
But I tell you what you should do. Let's get you information from knowledgeable people. I would like for you to read our forums and listen to the advice that grace gives you. She knows this stuff extremely well and you can believe her information is really accurate. She isn't afaird to tell someone that she isn't sure and either will find out for you or advise you to consult with our HSV or STD experts here at MH. For now don't go off reading other places. Do ask us questions. We can guide you to reputable places for information.
Grace should get you an answer as well on your results.
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
