I just received my herpes blood test results back (in case you are curious, background to why I got the test in the paragraph below). They were delivered to me over the phone by a nurse not a doctor. She did not tell me which test I was given. What she told me was "your test shows exposure to HSV 1 and "new exposure" to non-specific HSV. You should test again in 6 months". I have been married for 7 years with no other partner than my husband for 9 years. We have both been faithful. While I've never had a cold sore, I was prepared that there was a 50% chance I would test positive for HSV 1 b/c it's so common. What I don't understand is what this new exposure to an a non-specified HSV strain means - and the nurse didn't do a great job of explaining it. She told me that one test showed a definite exposure to HSV1 and the other one showed very elevated levels of antibodies, suggesting a new exposure, but that test doesn't differentiate from HSV 1 and 2. Is it possible to have both an old and a new exposure to the same strain? Would a new exposure to HSV in a new area of the body make this happen (ie. a transfer from HSV 1 orally to genitally or vice versa)? I can see how it's in the realm of possibility that I could've been reintroduced to HSV 1 somehow (sharing a drink/food), but there is no chance I could've recently been infected with HSV 2. I got tested for peace of mind and now I am more confused than ever!
Background - during my pregnancy with my second child (now 14 months) I experienced 3 or 4 terrible yeast infections. With the first one, I freaked out, spent hours on Google and convinced myself that I had herpes and never knew it. I went to see my doctor and she told me it was not herpes, but a yeast infection. I never experienced sores, but did get splits/papercuts in my skin, which I've read can happen with herpes. When a new occurrence happened, the dr. would give me a new prescription for yeast and the symptoms would go away after a week. After having my daughter, I didn't experience anything again - until two months ago. The same symptoms of a YI, itching/burning, a few splits in my skin, but no discharge. I went to see my doctor and she said I had BV. I asked her to culture the cuts for herpes, which she did and they came back negative. A week later I still wasn't feeling 100% better so I went to a different doctor. I explained everything and she said she didn't see anything abnormal, but told me I could take a blood test to "put my mind at ease" so I would stop worrying - fail!