Valtrex Question

[helpme812]

Hi...I've had genital herpes for a little over 10 years now. I was first diagnosed (via culture swab) with type 1 and just recently had blood work and it showed positive for type 2 but negative for type 1...so I'm not too sure which type I have.

Up until about 6 months ago, I had never had another OB since my initial OB (which by the way I only really found out because I had an obgyn appt during the same week).

I was going through a divorce, was stressed at work, and stopped taking my birth control pills so assumed that the OB was due to a lot of stress and change in hormones. However, since then I've had an OB with every period. I recently went to the doctor and was prescribed Valtrex and only to take during an OB. I found that even with 1 pill the OB is gone but I was wondering why the frequency in OBs now after 10 years and going 10 years without any outbreaks.

Does Valtrex only help reduce the timing of OBs or will it actually suppress future OBs after being on it for a while?

Also, because of the frequency of OBs (prior to 6 months ago), I assumed that my original test results of it being GHSV1 was accurate, but I could be wrong now.

Thanks!
M

[gracefromHHP]

you'll need to find out if indeed it was the herpes western blot or not you were last tested with. call and ask.

[helpme812]

So more confusion.  To keep you guys updated...

October 2001 - Positive for HSV1 via culture swab
October 2010 - Positive for HSV 2 (2.53), negative for HSV1
February 2012 - Positive for both types - no number though just positive

The guy that gave me HSV1 in 2001, was tested and he only came out positive with HSV1.  I've only been with him since being diagnosed 10 years+ ago.

I told them about Western Blot but I don't think they used that.  I want to get retested but maybe this time with my gynecologist.  My appt is due till November though.

Any thoughts on what could be happening?

Thanks.

[gracefromHHP]

the low positive hsv2 igg results are a real issue. we aren't exactly sure why they occur but in someone infected with hsv1 ( which you know you have from culture even though it's getting missed in your current blood tests which isn't too unusual ), the chances of a false positive hsv2 are even higher.

we don't think hsv1 genitally provides you with any significant protection against hsv2 genitally.

you 'll need to pursue the confirmatory testing at this point to get better answers as to your hsv2 status.

[helpme812]

Thanks just two more questions:

1. Is it possible that the test picked up on my HSV1 antibodies and just "labeled" it as HSV2?  What's the likelihood of that?

2. Are the chances of acquiring GHSV2 lower when you already have GHSV1 or are they chances the same?

I will get retested and post here when I get my test results.

[bobrope45]

There are no numerical numbers because it's a culture result - they only say "positive" and the type.

Maybe this is just a false-positive going on for HSV2, hard to tell. The WB is most probably the way the go, as Grace already said. Also, if you partner gets tested and is negative for HSV2, then most probably you don't have it.

[helpme812]

I was able to get my positive result from 2001, however it just shows the following but no numerical levels.

Positive for Herpes simplex virus type-1
Typing was confirmed by monoclonal antibody microscopic immunoflourescene.

I'm going back to the doctor in March for a physical and will get retested using the WB blood test.  Could the test last year picked up HSV antibodies and classified them as type 2?

Also, I haven't been with a different partner than the person that gave me type 1.  I've asked him to get retested to confirm his results but I don't think that will happen unfortunately.

Thanks again for all your help.  

Maria

[gracefromHHP]

your hsv2 is a low positive. it'll need confirmed with further testing. either a lesion culture that is hsv2+ or get a herpes WB blood test. If your provider uses quest labs, it's test #34534 for the herpes WB. It's a send out from all quest labs so if your local lab seems perplexed, tell them to look into it more.

be seen every time you have symptoms to try to get to the bottom of this!

[helpme812]

Thanks to you both.

For the HSV1 I'll have to contact my old doctor to get the results.  The HSV2 came out positive at 2.53.  Once I get the HSV1 I will post.  When I got tested the last time I was tested for everything else and was negative.  Then when I went to the OBGYN (Oct. 2011) I told her and she tested my thyroid levels which were normal.

[gracefromHHP]

definitely get your latest test results to post here for me to look at. Not unusual that your hsv1 isn't being detected on the blood tests - they aren't as good at picking up hsv1 as they are hsv2 - but we need to see if your hsv2 was a low positive or not to see if you need additional testing done. All you need to post are the actual numeric results - e.g. hsv1 igg 5.3 and hsv2 igg 2.3 or whatever they are. thanks!

every time you have genital symptoms, be seen!! If they think they look like herpes, ask them to culture them and type them to find out.  Indeed you could've picked up hsv2 since you were infected with hsv1 - if you have a regular partner, they should be tested to know their status ( don't know if you've talked to your ex about this or not either ).   make sure when you are seen , they are properly testing you for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally too.

Honestly I wouldn't take any antivirals at this point until you've figured out for sure what is going on.

grace

[bobrope45]

First of all, double check your culture results. Get a copy of the test with the clinic - they most probably still keep it.

Second, post your blood work results here, so that Grace can take a look.

It is unusual for GHSV1 to reccur monthly, yes. Better to investigate it and confirm if this is indeed HSV1, not HSV2. Next time you get an OB, it would be ideal to be swabbed again, so you can confirm if this is still HSV1. Can you arrange that with your doctor?