positive non-type-specific test oral outbreaks only

[bellabellabellabella]

I have had cold sores as long as I can remember myself. I have recently had complete STD testing including a non-type specific Herpes test. I actually had a cold sore the day I had my physical. I was told by my doctor that I was positive (non type specific). I have never had any vaginal outbreaks. I obviously am positive as I've had many oral outbreaks since childhood. What should I do now? I'm at loss! On one hand I would have been shocked to have a negative test if I'm having an active oral outbreak, but on the other hand... Do I warn my partner? Should I be concerned about genital herpes even though I have never had an outbreak and the test is non-type specific? I am very scared...

[gracefromHHP]

well if you have symptoms though they should treat you for strep b. If you've had no symptoms, really nothing to do but to inform your obgyn when you are pregnant that you have tested + for it.

glad you got your answers so you can relax :)

[bellabellabellabella]

OMG the only thing that my vaginal culture tested positive for was streptococcus. Which they only usually test pregnant full term women for. I was pretty scared...

[gracefromHHP]

yes they can but I"m guessing this was a just testing for vaginitis that done.

[bellabellabellabella]

I understand. Everywhere I read it says that a vaginal culture test for herpes is done from an active lesion. Can they swab a vagina that has no outbreak of any kind and detect herpes? Given I was tested for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HPV, Syphilis and it came negative and there were no lesions to culture should I expect vagenosis or yeast or can it be more serious like herpes?

[gracefromHHP]

we'd just be guessing as to what you tested + for. Give them a call tuesday and ask them to repeat your test results to you.

[bellabellabellabella]

Grace, I had a type specific HSV2 test done on Monday. This afternoon I have received a call from the clinic. I was driving through a low service area. All she told me off the bet was that all my tests came negative, however my vaginal culture test... and I lost signal. By the time I called back they were closed and will not open till Monday. I am freaking out. I have tested negative for all STD's a week ago. So I'm pretty much only worried about herpes. Can my vaginal culture test positive for herpes? In absence of lesions of any sort. The doctor said everything looked normal. Didn't even look like a yeast infection. What does vaginal culture of a healthy looking vagina really test for? What could be abnormal??? Would they even test it for herpes if there are no lesions? Could it be herpes? I will not be able to sleep!

[gracefromHHP]

hsv2 is almost always genital. even in the small percentage of folks who have it orally, they also have it genitally. it hardly sheds at all orally in folks who have it on average so it's really only an issue genitally anyways.

you get obvious cold sores so you know your hsv1 is oral already.

[bellabellabellabella]

So you can only have one or the other in the given area?

[gracefromHHP]

if you would test + for hsv2, you'd know it was genital. you already know your hsv1 is oral.

[bellabellabellabella]

My mom is a cardiologist not an internal med doctor or gynecologist. I think that generic test comes as a package of some sort and she does not really need it. But it's there and she does see it. She does not practice medicine in the US.

[bellabellabellabella]

Also, when I was talking to the doctor he was telling me that hsv1 and hsv2 can be both oral or genital. So knowing that you have one or the other does not help determining whether you have oral or vaginal herpes unless you have lesions. So how do I know if I have genital herpes or not???

[gracefromHHP]

tell your mom she's ordering the wrong herpes testing!!  encourage her to read the 2010 cdc herpes guidelines to update her information so she can best serve her patients as well as protect herself from malpractice suits! It's the standard of care in those guidelines and not following them leaves her vulnerable legally.

[bellabellabellabella]

I will try doing so on Monday. I called my mother who is a doctor and she told me that whenever she gets complete blood work for her patients herpes always comes positive because almost everyone has antibodies for hsv1. It made me feel a little better. It is hard hearing that all my blood work is perfect except I'm positive for herpes... I almost had a heart attack.

[gracefromHHP]

call the clinic, get the right testing done and then you can have better answers :)

[bellabellabellabella]

I have not had insurance for a few years and when I finally got a really good one I decided to be tested for EVERYTHING in addition to my complete physical I asked for a complete STD test. I did not have any concerns as I have never had a genital outbreak or a partner that has admitted to having genital herpes. My only concern was that I was with someone for 5 years and a few years into it found out that he has been unfaithful to me. After the breakup I started dating someone new and a week into being intimate we had a condom that apparently slipped during the intercourse. I had to take Plan B for potential pregnancy and in addition made sure to get a complete STD test that includes herpes. I was not educated about different types of tests available. I now see that it was a waste... I have read on here that the amount insurance pays for that particular test vs the cost is high so providers like to give it for billing reasons. Sucks because I'm scared to death and still didn't learn anything I did not know.

[gracefromHHP]

a non-type specific herpes test was a total waste of your time and money : (  give your provider a call and ask them to please correct their mistake and order a type specific herpes igg blood test for you ( they should NEVER be ordering the non-type specific testing for their patients ). It's to be expected that your non-type specific test would come back + since you know you have hsv1!!!!  The  lab might still have your blood from your last test so your provider can call and see if they can add on the proper testing without you having to be stuck again for blood.

you picked the male icon. since you are female, it's really helpful if you edit your profile to have the right gender -thanks!

whether or not you have an active cold sore has nothing to do with your testing. you want a type specific herpes igg blood test to see your hsv2 status. nothing to talk to your partner about at this point since you still know nothing.

why did you get tested for herpes?

grace