Aa
diagnosed
I just tested positive with a blood test as having herpes antibodies and to being exposed to Herpes and have symptoms of an outbreak. I have a small lesion on my right buttocks and am numb/pins & needles in my right side-vagina, thigh and foot and have three swollen lymph nodes near my groin/pelvis. Two or so weeks ago I had a swollen vaginal gland and was treated with antibiotics and when I went back for a follow up visit to the gynecologist she said all was fine. I am taking valtrex since my primary doctor thought I had shingles but now with the blood test she is not so sure. She said she will have more information in a day or two about the blood test and that will tell her more regarding what type of herpes I have and when I was exposed. What should I find out specifically about my blood test results and does it sound to you like HSV2? I am depressed and upset. Also when will this numbness feeling go away? That whole area feels asleep. Thanks.
I never recommend seeing an infectious disease doctor. they can't be bothered with std's. Unless you have hiv also, no reason to see them. it's usually wasting your time and money.
they have you on the higher valtrex dose that is usually for shingles. it's ok to stay on the higher dose but if you are bothered with side effects, just go down to the 1gm 2x/day dose.
It's hard to tell if this is a newly acquired infection for you or not since the blood test was done a few weeks after you last had sex. The herpes igm test is a greatly flawed test and we never recommend having it done on adults. If you can get your prior partner tested and they are hsv2 neg, then you know you had it before then and this was just your first obvious recurrence.
keep asking questions!
grace
they have you on the higher valtrex dose that is usually for shingles. it's ok to stay on the higher dose but if you are bothered with side effects, just go down to the 1gm 2x/day dose.
It's hard to tell if this is a newly acquired infection for you or not since the blood test was done a few weeks after you last had sex. The herpes igm test is a greatly flawed test and we never recommend having it done on adults. If you can get your prior partner tested and they are hsv2 neg, then you know you had it before then and this was just your first obvious recurrence.
keep asking questions!
grace
The Valtrex dose was 1000 mgs 3 X a day for a week.
My dr. informed me about the blood tests:
HSV1 negative
HSV2 Igm 1-160-moderate positive
HSV2 Igg 4.3
Does not sound good to me. She said it looks like I was exposed/infected at least a couple of months ago from the results and that the Igg says it could have been up to 12 months ago.
She suggested I go see an infectious disease dr. if I want more clarity and advice. I am really really sad. Any advice or comments about the results? Please help if you can. Thank you.
My dr. informed me about the blood tests:
HSV1 negative
HSV2 Igm 1-160-moderate positive
HSV2 Igg 4.3
Does not sound good to me. She said it looks like I was exposed/infected at least a couple of months ago from the results and that the Igg says it could have been up to 12 months ago.
She suggested I go see an infectious disease dr. if I want more clarity and advice. I am really really sad. Any advice or comments about the results? Please help if you can. Thank you.
It is early into things for your blood test if you by chance contracted this a few weeks ago. any chance of getting that partner tested for herpes to know their status?
what dose of valtrex did they put you on?
grace
what dose of valtrex did they put you on?
grace
It was about 2-3 weeks before everything started. Do you think that was the time of infection or could I have been carrying this around for awhile? It definitely sounds like everything is pointing into the direction of it being herpes. If so, I feel it is best for me to move forward by only pursuing relationships with others who have the same condition. Do you recommend any sites or groups I could join? I will post my blood tests results as soon as I get them. Thanks for making me feel not so alone and for all your help in figuring things out.
if this is herpes going on, the numbness will get better as soon as the lesions are gone if not before.
when was the last time you had sex prior to all this starting?
grace
when was the last time you had sex prior to all this starting?
grace
Thanks for posting back. I will get the actual blood test readings this week and get back to you. What exactly will the blood test levels tell me? In the meantime do you know anything about this numbness feeling down to my foot? I am extremely saddened by this news and feel I will not have an opportunity moving forward to have a loving relationship. Any advice on the numbness and moving forward as the new me?
There's no such thing as just being exposed to herpes. I can best help you with your blood test results if you can post the numeric results here - ie hsv1 igg 5.5 and hsv2 igg 3.4 or whatever they are. Just call the clinic and ask them to read them to you if you don't already have them.
You also can not tell when you were infected from the blood tests. I think your provider is unaware of the drawbacks of the herpes igm and igg blood testing. there is a high false positive igm rate with them and you can't determine length of infection from the blood tests for herpes.
If you have a regular partner, they should also get a type specific herpes igg blood test done too to see what their status is.
What sort of infection did the gyn think you had?
grace
You also can not tell when you were infected from the blood tests. I think your provider is unaware of the drawbacks of the herpes igm and igg blood testing. there is a high false positive igm rate with them and you can't determine length of infection from the blood tests for herpes.
If you have a regular partner, they should also get a type specific herpes igg blood test done too to see what their status is.
What sort of infection did the gyn think you had?
grace
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
