Nervous...What do the (#'s) mean

[ahunter618]

So I got my test results back and have a few questions about what the numbers mean.

I don't have the paperwork with me, but the numbers are close

I tested with Labcorp, and the tests were AB i believe?

Type speciftic IgG - HSV 1 - 7.7 (pos)
                     IgG - HSV 2 - <.90 (neg) I can't remember the exact number

Both Typs - IgM - .92 or .93 (equivical)

I've learned (after testing) the IgM tests are pretty much a waste of money. So although I was freaked out about the equivical result I am not so bad anymore.

My question is with the IgG HSV 1 number.  I have seen other posts that have a wide range of numbers (3.5 up to like 27.7)  for a positive. What is this number actually telling me? Is a low number in early development? Is it harder to transmitt to some one?  I guess whats the difference between a low number and a high one?  Is there a typical range? Will it change when I test again (16-weeks)?

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I do have one more question if I may. No need to respond if your busy.

I don't believe I have had any outbreaks, I have had two instances where I developed an "ingrown hair" in my pubic area, kind of more in the crease of my leg to my lower abdomen, They developed when I was wearing uncomfortably tight underwear, and i do have my legs crossed a lot at work. Literally the last two times I have worn them I have developed these ingrown hair like sores in the same general area about an inch apart from another.  

I guess my question is:  Can this be discribed as an outbreak?  If it happens again I will see a doctor, but if it doesn't happen should I assume that is where my HSV-1 is?  I have notices redness in the bush area, but have associated it with the tight fitting clothes.

Thank you so much for helping on this forum, You're work is definately appreciated by the people how are dealing with a tough time in their lives.

[ahunter618]

Thank you again for your insight.  You have provided a lot of good advice.

[gracefromHHP]

Most folks contract hsv1. By the time we hit our 20's, 1 out of 3 of us have it. By the time we hit 40, it's 60% of us have it .  by the time we hit the old folks home, 80% of us have it. Most folks who have hsv1 orally, don't get obvious cold sores to know it.   No way to know if you contracted it from your auntie who used to baby sit you as an infant and smooched you on the lips 20x/day , from the first person you ever kissed or from even your current partner.  Odds are your hsv1 is oral though the when and from whom, you probably never will figure out.  

My recommendations are- your gf needs to get a type specific herpes igg blood test to see if she has hsv1 or hsv2. You need something concrete on which to base decisions on. If she's hsv2 and you are having some misgivings about things right now, discuss if she's willing to go on daily suppressive therapy with valtrex to lower your risk of transmission. Even if you don't use condoms, if you just use suppressive therapy for her and avoiding sex anytime she has obvious genital symptoms of any sort, you are looking at a 98% average of not contracting hsv2 from her each year.  Really reasonable right?

so where do you go from here?  Well my recommendation is, unless you get obvious genital symptoms, don't bother retesting more than just yearly or even less often as long as you are with her. Should you not be able to get through this tough time you are currently going through, wait 3 months and then repeat your hsv2 igg just to err on the side of caution. You really should be more surprised if you do get hsv2 than if you don't but cover your bases before moving on to a new relationship.

keep asking questions! it's what we are here for :)

grace

[ahunter618]

Thank you for your in sight.  I do REALLY appreciate your response and that you want to know more about my situation. I would love to discuss this in more depth with someone, and this forum seems like a great opportunity.  Thank you again.

My girlfriend, of about 7 months, has had genital herpes for a long time.  She doesn't know which strand she has, but she knows it's herpes, and was very up front and honest about it, for that I'm greatful  I did only a little research and looking back didn't ask any important questions that I should have.  I obviously decided to stay with her.  

To date she hasn't had an ob in 3 or 4 years.  We've been kind of careful, but there were multiple times we didn't use proper protection. Well we've been going through a difficult time and it recently hit me on how much my life may have changed because of my foolishness.

  When I got tested I was confussed about the results. And have been trying to think of any time in my life when I had sores and stuff on my lips or face, and I can't.  And then since Oct. I've had two "ingrown hair-like" sores in what I would think is an iffy place to have an outbreak, and I think it is related to the clothes I had worn at the time the sore surfaced. If it comes back I will definately get it looked at.

The most underlying question is, did I have HSV 1 before we met? Where could it be? And how do I bring it up with possibly a particular ex-girlfriend that I have had knowingly had sex with someone who has herpes, and that I have the HSV 1 form, but I don't know where it is.

I mean it seems that HSV 1 is so common that it almost not worth discussing. I know it's important to, but if it's oral compared to genital it would be easier to discuss and get past.

Thank you again for your shoulder and time!

[gracefromHHP]

Your + hsv1 means that and nothing else really. The only significance of the actual numeric result is for us to see if you need more testing done or not and that's more with hsv2 than hsv2.

what caused you to get tested in the first place?

grace