[Question #10486] HSV TYPE 2
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22 months ago
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My partner tested positive through a Glycoprotein HSV IGG serology blood test. He does not recall ever having an outbreak or symptoms of HSV 2. The test came back negative for HSV 1. He is also HIV undetectable.
His doctor put him on acyclovir 800 mg daily to prevent outbreaks.
1) what is the possibility the test was not accurate? I have heard of a lot of false positives.
2) does the medicine reduce the risk of transmission by viral shedding? Prevent outbreak and reduce viral shedding in a asymptomatic person?
3) what is the transmission rate with meds and no outbreak of unprotected oral sex? Can we do that without a condom?
4) can he transmit HSV 2 to my hands absent a outbreak and on meds?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
22 months ago
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To know where to go next with this, I would need the number that was associated with his positive result.
I can answer the questions on the assumption that it is an accurate result, though it may not be.
1) what is the possibility the test was not accurate? I have heard of a lot of false positives.
I depends on the index value, the number associated with the positive result
2)
does the medicine reduce the risk of transmission by viral shedding?
Prevent outbreak and reduce viral shedding in a asymptomatic person?
Yes, it can reduce viral shedding and thus transmission as well as outbreaks
3) what is the transmission rate with meds and no outbreak of unprotected oral sex? Can we do that without a condom?
The transmission rate from men to women (if that is your situation) is about 10% per year in established couples where one is infected and the other is not. Meds daily reduce that to about 5%. Condoms reduce transmission by 96% so a huge help
4) can he transmit HSV 2 to my hands absent a outbreak and on meds?
only if you have a break in the skin of your hands.
Terri