What test will tell me amount of antibodies

[unquietmind]

Hi,

I posted about a week ago worried i had contracted herpes. After receiving a blood test it came out positive. The test did not state the AMOUNT of antibodies in my system, and according to the research I have done on this STD the more antibodies you have the longer ago you contracted it, or vice-versa (please correct if I am incorrect).
What test can I take that will state the amount of anitbodies in my system? I am going to see my GP on Wed (hopefully). Any help before then would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[unquietmind]

Sorry to bother you again Grace. I'm still waiting for an opening at my gynae.

What do you mean if it is a recurrence it would not appear on both side? Are you referring to a HSV-2 ob? So would a HSV-2 recurrence, typically, not occur on both sides?

Thanks again for your help

[gracefromHHP]

it's likely something else is going on other than herpes.

newly acquired infections can present on both sides but recurrences typically do not. at this point this would be a recurrence so the odds of it occurring on both sides is very low.

grace

[unquietmind]

I'm on the waiting list with my gyno, but I was interested if you knew the answer to that?

Either way, thank youfor ALL your help and support, I really do appreciate it.

[gracefromHHP]

you need to be following up on this with your gyn or a dermatologist at this point. Not too much else we can help you with online at this point.

grace

[unquietmind]

Hi Grace,

I have read that HSV-2 does not cross the midline. I had symptoms on both sides. Could it be possible that I have another infection and not herpes? I have been taking suppressive therapy and I am still experiencing strange symptoms.
I think I am going to go to a gynaecologist. There I will get an IGg test and any other std tests.
Do you think this is a good way to go about my situation?

Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

no it typically does not.

grace

[unquietmind]

Hi Grace,

If 2 people with HSV-2 have sex whilst the one is prodromal or having a ob, can that trigger an ob in the other person?

[gracefromHHP]

you need to go and have this discharge properly evaluated by your provider.

grace

[unquietmind]

Hi Grace,

I have recently noticed a discharge, almost yello-green in colour and a bit of an odour from my vagina. This is new. Could this be herpes related? When i got tested for HSV i had a full STD screen, all was negative except HSV 1and 2. During my primary ob I think I had a discharge and a different odour.
Could there be something else wrong? Is this a normal symptom?
I am going for another blood test in about 2 weeks, that will be 2 months after I had unprotected sex. This test will be specifi for IgG as my initial test only came back positive for the IGm test.

What should I do regarding this discharge? I'm concerned.

Thanks so much

[unquietmind]

I actually read the handbook and watched the video, however I was looking foe other opinions regarding this issue. As you know this is quite a life altering thing and I want as much feedback as possible. So thank you for your I appreciatew it

[petal130]

You clearly aren't reading the herpes handbook as suggested.

Here is the chapter on treatment:

http://www.westoverheights.com/genital_herpes/handbook/view_the_chapters/treatment.html

According to grace from a recent post: As for suppressive therapy and its effectiveness - it is significantly effective. It reduces viral shedding by 80-90% and reduces ob's by 70% on average.

[unquietmind]

Hi Grace,

If i do suppressive therapy how does that work with having ob's and being asymptomatic?
I am considering taking antivirals daily. a) I think I will feel more at ease in general. b) I will feel more comfortable when getting sexually involved with someone, knowing that there is possibly less chance I can give them the virus.
So what do you recommend regarding suppression therapy?

[gracefromHHP]

typically that is the case.  

grace

[unquietmind]

Grace??

[unquietmind]

Hi Grace,

Ok, so the IGg antibodies appear after the Igm ones, correct? So then can I assume that because I only have the Igm now, and hypothetically I get tested positive for IGg, can I assume that i caught HSV recently?
Really feeling very messed up about this and I don't know what to do regarding speaking to this guy, so I just want to have as many facts as possible.

Thanks so much

[gracefromHHP]

It's up to you if you want to speak to him or not. He can get tested and share his results with you to see what his status is.

You should wait 2 or 3 months until you get another igg blood test done.

grace

[unquietmind]

wow, I hate feeling so helpless.... Should i not speak to this guy about it yet? We are not a couple, we really are just having a fling. I feel so vulnerable speaking to him about this ESPECIALLY if it is not certain that I have it, even though I genuinely think I have. I have had two occurrences, and I experienced the tingling before the second one. The antiviral meds worked.
Another question though, my second occurence had a lesion, it looked like a bit of raw skin, no blister, just raw. That is what I had initially in my 1st ob. It is not possible to get that cultured because nothing is in it right?
It's been about a month since my primary ob, how much longer should I wait for another test?

[gracefromHHP]

at this point all you can do is wait and should you get a return of symptoms, be seen within 48 hours for a lesion culture and typing. Otherwise nothing you can do but wait and repeat your hsv2 igg blood test in a few months.

visual diagnosis of herpes is wrong 1/3 of the time even by providers who are seeing herpes a lot. At this point assume nothing until you get other test results that come back as +.  I know it's not quick and easy answers but it's the best you can do at this point.  

grace

[unquietmind]

Hi Grace,

Ok, so my test results: IGm + for HSV-1 and 2. IGg - for HSV 1 and 2.
I developed symptoms about 2-3 weeks after unprotected sex. Antiviral medication eliminated the symptoms. about a week later i had a 2nd ob. Again the meds eliminated the symtoms.
I know that teh Igm test is not reliable, HOWEVER, do symptoms plus a positive blood reuslt on IGm concur that I have herpes? If it is - on IGg is it possible that the reason IGg is negative is because I contracted the virus recently?
The fact that I have NEVER had an ob before this 1st time and that 6 days after my primary ob I had blood tests that came out as the above reults, is that not enough evidence to conclusively say I have herpes?

[gracefromHHP]

unless you had a lesion culture that was + for hsv, I wouldn't assume your symptoms are due to herpes by no means. talk to your partner and get him igg tested and see what his status is.  

grace

[unquietmind]

If it is flawed so be it, but I have had 2 ob now and a positive reult in IgM test. He is not my partner but a guy I was having a casual fling with. I am telling him tomorrow. But Grace I would like to know. I was experiencing symptoms when I slept with him again. This was before my primary ob. Could my symptoms trigger an ob in him if he has the virus??
I can't sit here and delude myself into thinking it is a false + etc. I had symptoms and a positve blood test. I had two blood tests, both positive. Please let me know if I could trigger an ob in him.
Also, I am telling him tomorrow night. I am terrified because this was supposed to br a 'no strings attached fling'. Do u have any suggestions to what I should say etc? That would be a great help.

Thanks so much

[gracefromHHP]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/248394  is a prior post on why the herpes igm test is flawed and shouldn't be used.

did your partner get tested?

[unquietmind]

Hi Grace,

The results say HSV-2 positive for IgM not IgG. I am positive for HSV-1 as well, because I had shingles when I was a kid. But again, HSV-1 showed positive for M and not G.
Those are my results. I had symptoms/ob three weeks ago that's when I went to my doctor who instructed me to get blood tests the following week as the blisters had popped so no lesion culture could be done. I don't want to delude myself into a false positive reult. The fact is I had symptioms and the blood test shpowing positive for HSV-2. I had NEVER had symptoms before-never even had a fever blister on my lip let alone genitals!

New question though, I started having symptoms (felt like thrush) and slept with the guy who I believe infected me. We used a condom (that time) but there was genital genital touching, Would my symptoms promote an ob in him? or does it not work like that?

[gracefromHHP]

so your only + test for hsv2 was the initial blood test? Am I getting this right?  Can you get the results of that test to post?

grace