Unsure of status, to late to get accurate results?

[Answers831]

Been married for 6 years. Two years ago I had a small red area near the top of my labia. Went to the dr he performed no tests because he said didn't look like herpes. Went back a week later because continued to hurt and took a swab and blood test. Test results: igg hsv 1 neg, igg hsv 2 neg,  igm hsv 1/2 positive. Dr didn't want to retest, still burning pain on left side only, for months.  Three different swabs all negative. Dr Insisted it was not herpes to just relax. Saw different dr when in pain and found lesions on my cervix. Swab and neg.  Had another blood test ran by my gp and wrong test, results were hsv igg 1/2 positive. Went back to the first gyn clinic with those results, but they were still unconvinced, since in a previous blood test I had years before was pos for hsv 1, but I have no idea what kind of test it was. Printout that said hsv1 pos, hsv 2 neg.  symptoms for a year sometimes constant pain. I have only seen two small bumps one that looked like a pimple and one that looked like an ingrown hair. The dr started me on lexapro and valtex upon my insistence. The pain eventually subsided. Stopped valtrex and continued lexapro until I got pregnant. Nine months no symptoms. Three weeks ago, burning in my bottom like an electrical shock and slight vag burning on left side, lasted two days.  Now 31 weeks preg, Had a retest at 30 weeks.Waiting for results. No one believes me that I am having these issues, because I haven't had a classic outbreak. They just keep sayng nerve pain.

1. If I do have genital herpes, did I get it from my husband?

2. At thirty weeks pregnant, is it too late in the pregnancy to get accurate results from igg test? Possible false neg
3. If this test comes back igg positive for 1 and negative for 2 is it safe to say I have hsv 1 in the genital region since I have never had a cold sore on my mouth?
4. Should i take the antivirals as a precaution, since i don't know where in my body I have hsv 1?
I am losing it!!!! Please help

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

So how about if you just take the antivirals and stop worrying?  The antiviral medicines do not get activated unless there is herpes virus present.  If there is no virus, the medicines get excreted from your body, unchanged from when they went in.  I think it is a win win for you.  

Try not to get all wrapped up in whitlow now.  Try to focus on your little baby and how much joy you will have and how very unlikely it will be for you to infect them.  

This is in your control.  Take charge of your thoughts and let the medicine help you settle down about this so you can enjoy this last part of your pregnancy more.

Terri

[Answers831]

My main concern is if I could possibly have a false negative for hsv 1 and 2. I saw my doctor and she seems still very unconcerned. She Says she feels that if it were a viral infection of either type, I would have some symptoms besides just pain. She says she truly feels it is a nerve issue more than anything else, but could not explain why tests have been a little wired for hsv 1.  I have two more weeks before they will put me on the antivirals. She told me to think about it and decide if I want to take them as an extra precaution. She feels it unnecessary, but will prescribe if it eases my mind. I am so confused and the stress can't be helpful for the baby. I have also had some pain in my hands and have gotten a few small bumps that do not open and go away after couple of weeks, but my mind is freaking me out and I am now worrying about whitlow! Would like to eventually get the western blot, but really if it does show positive for hsv 1. That still doesn't really help because I wont know where the infection is. I have nothing to swab, except for the pin head bumps on my hands maybe. But no lesions or bumps in vaginal area. Any extra advice would be helpful. I am not sleeping do to the worry.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

So your concern is to make sure your husband doesn't have HSV 2, is that correct?

Terri

[Answers831]

I will get ask her about further testing, I have always just assumed I had hsv 1 since my very first test years ago, I just assumed it was orally. Since now i have had symptoms in my genital area its hard to say now. I don't think I have ever had a cold sore near my mouth, but my mother and sister get them so never really thought about it. This is my second child and I assume If I had hsv 1 genitallly I had it then. I delivered her naturally with no issues. I just want to lower my risk if possible. After a long and not so nice discussion with my husband he finally agrees to taking the meds to be on the safe side. Thanks for your help. This is a trying subject in my household!! I was glad I had something for my husband to read. Thanks again.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I would try to get the western blot through Quest labs. It takes two weeks to come back.  You can ask your doctor to do that.  If your doctor says no, we can order it through the clinic for you.  But you must remember that if you are HSV 1 positive, and you've never had a cold sore on your lip (not in your mouth), that you can't know for certain where your infection is.  Only that you have it.  So it could be oral or genital, but without your worrisome symptoms, I can see why the possibility of genital herpes is difficult.

Terri

[Answers831]

Thank you for responding, I don't know if I can get the WB completed, as I only have about fifty days left. I see my doctor next week and will discuss it with her then. I want to take the meds to be on the safe side, but may have to beg. My husband is not concerned and he wants me to leave it alone. I have issues with anxiety and he thinks I am overreacting, but he doesn't understand that I have had weird symptoms. He thinks neg is neg and because he hasn't had symptoms ever that I do not have anything wrong. This has really affected my whole life and has for awhile. I wish it would come to an end and I could let it go.