Thank you for your time.  I listened to Terri's interview on ASHA which was insightful. I am writing for an expert opinion on my test results as I find them confusing.  In 2021 my boyfriend said he was HSV1 positive.  Unfortunately, I did not get a baseline blood test at that time, but I had never experienced an oral or genital outbreak. A few months later, I experienced a genital lesion high up in the hair follicle area and asked for it to be swabbed.  The swab was negative, and I do not know if it was PCR as the results do not say.  I asked that my blood sample be tested for HSV1 antibodies.  It came back with a value of 4.37. I've lived in confusion for 2.5 years.  Then after a tetanus booster and flu shot in Dec 2023 that I think instigated this, I experienced a second genital lesion again high in the hair area. I asked for another swab that was again negative and I can see from the results that it says PCR.  I again asked that my blood sample be tested for HSV1 antibodies and I can see the test says IgG.  It again came back positive but this one did not provide a value.  All other STI tests including HSV2 are negative.  To summarize, 2 negative swabs, 2 positive blood tests. Should I consider myself positive for HSV1 genitally?  I appreciate your advice and let me know if you need additional information.

---

Thank you for the insight Terri.  I am glad to hear, "The good news is that HSV 1 genital infection rarely is shed from the body and is very rarely transmitted through intercourse," but I think it was transmitted to me through that type of contact with my ex.  Still, I agree with, "I think you can disclose to future partners that you have the cold sore virus but you don't know where it is - only that you tested positive for it."  I appreciate the work that you do and only wish I had found it sooner to know about a baseline test prior to exposure and other preventative measures you spoke of.  It was not easy to get the answers I have now and as you can see, I was still confused.  As a final ask, is there more I can read up on HSV1 in particular?  I've visited H Opportunity and am working through Adrial's material.

---

Thank you for the additional insight Terri!  I have no further questions.

You're welcome---