Aa
HSV-2
I tested positive for HSV-1, the anti-body level was greater then 5 (I have had cold sores), HSV-2 was 1.77 (No outbreaks).
My two Western Blot tests were Indeterminate. Infection Disease Specialists that I have spoke to say I don't have HSV-2.
I have been recently diagnosed with gum disease. I tend to bleed from my gums at times. If I perform oral sex on a woman and my gums are bleeding. Will she then inherit the anti-bodies that are making my HSV-2 test reflect 1.77??
Is it true that if you have two indeterminate tests that usually means you don't have HSV-2?
My two Western Blot tests were Indeterminate. Infection Disease Specialists that I have spoke to say I don't have HSV-2.
I have been recently diagnosed with gum disease. I tend to bleed from my gums at times. If I perform oral sex on a woman and my gums are bleeding. Will she then inherit the anti-bodies that are making my HSV-2 test reflect 1.77??
Is it true that if you have two indeterminate tests that usually means you don't have HSV-2?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Either you misunderstood something or there is a language problem. The Biokit test does not give a numerical result; 1.77 was the result of some other test. If you also had a very weakly positive biokit result, that also is equivocal.
Therefore, this information doest not change my opinion or advice. It would appear you are one of those people who produces somewhat atypical antibodies that do not give clear results on any of the currently available tests. As discussed above, my best judgement is that you probably do not have HSV-2, but I cannot be certain.
You can try three more things. First, ask your doctor to telephone the University of Washington laboratory where your two Western blot tests were done, and speak directly with the most senior herpes lab supervisor (her initials are AC). Have a conversation about her interpretation and perhaps advice about doing yet another test.
Second, be on the alert for minor genital sores that you otherwise might have noticed. If any such thing appears, immediately (within 2 days) it can be swabbed for an HSV PCR test. You could ask your doctor to provide swabs at home so you can self-collect a specimen if something shows up.
Third, have multiple genital area PCR tests for HSV, even without apparent outbreaks. Although individual tests are expensive, you can self-collect several swabs over a long period then have them tested simultaneously at the cost of a single test. Negative results won't prove for sure you don't have HSV-2, since asymptomatic shedding of the virus might be infrequent and could be missed. But if positive, it would show for sure that you do have it.
You could print out this discussion as a framework to speak with your ID doctor, if s/he is unfamiliar with these procedures. Or consider contacting the Westover Heights Clinic of Portland, OR (http://www.westoverheights.com; directed by Terri Warren, moderator of MedHelp's herpes forum). Sometimes WHC can arrange for such testing in their laboratory; or your doctor could contact WHC to learn the details of their protocol for PCR testing in this situation.
That's as far as this thread can go. However, I would enjoy hearing a final follow-up comment in a few weeks, if you have gone through some or all these procedures and can report a definitive outcome. Good luck with it all.
Therefore, this information doest not change my opinion or advice. It would appear you are one of those people who produces somewhat atypical antibodies that do not give clear results on any of the currently available tests. As discussed above, my best judgement is that you probably do not have HSV-2, but I cannot be certain.
You can try three more things. First, ask your doctor to telephone the University of Washington laboratory where your two Western blot tests were done, and speak directly with the most senior herpes lab supervisor (her initials are AC). Have a conversation about her interpretation and perhaps advice about doing yet another test.
Second, be on the alert for minor genital sores that you otherwise might have noticed. If any such thing appears, immediately (within 2 days) it can be swabbed for an HSV PCR test. You could ask your doctor to provide swabs at home so you can self-collect a specimen if something shows up.
Third, have multiple genital area PCR tests for HSV, even without apparent outbreaks. Although individual tests are expensive, you can self-collect several swabs over a long period then have them tested simultaneously at the cost of a single test. Negative results won't prove for sure you don't have HSV-2, since asymptomatic shedding of the virus might be infrequent and could be missed. But if positive, it would show for sure that you do have it.
You could print out this discussion as a framework to speak with your ID doctor, if s/he is unfamiliar with these procedures. Or consider contacting the Westover Heights Clinic of Portland, OR (http://www.westoverheights.com; directed by Terri Warren, moderator of MedHelp's herpes forum). Sometimes WHC can arrange for such testing in their laboratory; or your doctor could contact WHC to learn the details of their protocol for PCR testing in this situation.
That's as far as this thread can go. However, I would enjoy hearing a final follow-up comment in a few weeks, if you have gone through some or all these procedures and can report a definitive outcome. Good luck with it all.
any advise?
Forgot to mention the first test I took before I did the IGG test which gave me the 1.77, was the biokit. The biokit was bearly positive and difficult to read. Does that have any influence on your last statements considering I had 2 indeterminate western blot tests?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
None.
Thanks Doc, I was receiving oral from a woman (I'm so paranoid of having sex nowadays), I rubbed her vagina, I did not enter her vagina. I wiped my fingers with wet wipes (not thoroughly I don't think) and then entered my noise a few minutes later. What are the chances of hiv or std transmission if she did have hiv or std's?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A clarification: I'm not sure you need to tell prospective partners you have HSV-2, especially if you plan to use condoms. The chance you have it is very low, assuming you haven't had symptoms that point to genital herpes (recurrent genital blisters, sores, etc). You might consider having another HSV test with WB in a few months to see if the situation becomes clearer.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
Unfortunately, an indeterminate Western blot result is just that -- indeterminate. It's quite common for people with high HSV-1 ELISA ratios to have low-positive HSV-2 results, and most such persons are not infected with HSV-2. Between that and the WB result, it is unlikely you have HSV-2. But it cannot be ruled out with certainty.
Gum disease or not, people don't tranfer their antibodies to other persons. You can transmit an infection to another person, but not a blood test result. If you have HSV-2 (which, as discussed above, is unlikely), you are not likely to transmit it by oral sex. The large majority of HSV-2 infections are limited to the genital area.
You should inform future sex partners that you may have HSV-2, and also tell them about your confirmed HSV-1, which might be transmissible to partners by kissing or by performing oral sex on them. But you cannot have any effect on their blood test results unless you actually transmit the virus to them.
I hope this is clear. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Unfortunately, an indeterminate Western blot result is just that -- indeterminate. It's quite common for people with high HSV-1 ELISA ratios to have low-positive HSV-2 results, and most such persons are not infected with HSV-2. Between that and the WB result, it is unlikely you have HSV-2. But it cannot be ruled out with certainty.
Gum disease or not, people don't tranfer their antibodies to other persons. You can transmit an infection to another person, but not a blood test result. If you have HSV-2 (which, as discussed above, is unlikely), you are not likely to transmit it by oral sex. The large majority of HSV-2 infections are limited to the genital area.
You should inform future sex partners that you may have HSV-2, and also tell them about your confirmed HSV-1, which might be transmissible to partners by kissing or by performing oral sex on them. But you cannot have any effect on their blood test results unless you actually transmit the virus to them.
I hope this is clear. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
