[Question #13582] Hsv

1 months ago

Hello again, this is a separate issue from my previous questions.

So I believe I tested neg for HSV 5 years ago but can’t be sure. I haven’t had any actual intercourse over the past 5 years (had plenty before that) everything in the past 5 years has been: I twice had a man lick my penis quickly during an exchange a couple years ago. anal fingering, and sex toys. Then skin to skin contact.

I had a skin to skin contact 13 weeks ago and used his towel and just tested for HSV 1 and HSV 2 on IGG test and came back negative.

CDC says don’t test without symptoms- Could I have HSV asymptomatically and give it to someone else still even though I tested negative in IGG- I just want to do the right thing here.

Since it has been 13 weeks since my last encounter. Even though it was only skin to skin contact and I used his towel, do I need to wait until 16 weeks to test again or can I move on?

Do I need to get a western blot test to be sure ?

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

1 months ago

The IgG tests are good enough at 13 weeks - waiting longer isn't going to give you a different answer. All IgG tests miss a few infections, but the best test right now is the Roche test offered by LabCorp. It misses about 2 out of 100 cases while other test kits miss more and also give false positives sometimes (which is why the CDC says not to use these tests for screening when someone has no symptoms). I'm not clear about what you are describing about skin to skin contact - can you elaborate on that a bit for me?

Terri

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1 months ago

I got my test ordered from std check but got the blood work done at Labcorp- not sure if I got Roche or not- could be the herpeselecta perhaps?

The skin to skin contact almost 14 weeks ago was literally just our legs touching while we masturbated. Nothing more . I used a towel of his after to clean myself on my genitals.

Part of this testing is for my entire life though and just making sure I’m good as I want to move forward in a more dating and relationships and want to be fair to current/ future partners.

I believe I was tested for herpes 6 -7 years ago but I’m doubting myself. Since then it’s just been receiving anal fingering, massages, the two oral experiences I mentioned , and just laying together- holding each other naked.

1 months ago

Would it be a good idea to just go get a second igg test, but this time just make sure it’s Labcorp’s Roche?

Would you consider a negative then conclusive for Hsv 1 and 2 based off the information I’ve given?

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

1 months ago

If you tested at labCorp, then the Roche test was used. Your description of the encounter does not suggest a reason to be concerned about infection either. I don't think doing another IgG test is necessary, no. These results are reliable, though the Roche test does miss 15% of HSV 1 infections (only 2% of HSV 2 infections, compared to the western blot)

Terri

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1 months ago

Ok thanks Terri, I deal with some OCD that I am working on in therapy so it can be a bit challenging to find closure sometimes.

Should I just look at it as if I don’t have herpes now based on the IGG test I took, even with the percentages you’ve mentioned of the IGG missing a certain amount of infections?

In your professional opinion, is it ok for me to kiss and have sex with others, even unprotected with a partner if we choose, without being worried about me infecting her?

How should I deal with getting tested for herpes moving forward? You can get herpes from kissing but surely I shouldn’t get tested every time I kiss someone.

Should I just test for Hsv the way the cdc says moving forward? only if I have symptoms, there is high risk, or if a partner has an infection?

I just wanna know how to look at Hsv testing for myself moving forward as it seems like it is somewhat vague as to how people should get tested, with many places saying do not get tested unless you have symptoms.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

1 months ago

Yes, I believe that you do not have HSV and you can continue to interact with others normally.

Yes, you can get HSV 1 from kissing, but as you appear to have neither HSV 1 or HSV 2, I think if you acquired HSV 1, you would likely have symptoms that you would recognize and have swab tested.

The CDC recommends against routine screening for HSV due to the high rate of false positives on the older style tests but the new Roche test may change that recommendation since it is so accurate.

Terri

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1 months ago

Ok great, that’s really helpful. There’s one more point I’d like clarity on so I know how to approach testing going forward.

I get confused about shedding and condom use. Since HSV can be transmitted even with a condom, I want to make sure I understand how people should handle testing.

In your opinion, if someone has sex with a new partner using a condom and there are no symptoms, should they feel the need to test and wait for a negative result before having sex with someone else?

Or would you say testing is only recommended if there were symptoms, known exposure, or high-risk factors?

I ask because I sometimes feel guilty or unsure about what the “right” approach is, and I want to understand the usual medical guidelines. It doesn’t seem practical to assume I might have herpes after every protected encounter, but I know HSV can be transmitted even with a condom, so I want to understand the best way to handle this moving forward.

Thanks

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

1 months ago

That's a great question. We don't have data on transmission of HSV in male to male interactions, but we do know that condoms reduce transmission from men to women by 96% and women to men by 65%, so although condoms are very good, they are not perfect. Given how god the Roche test is, I think you can test as you wish, without worrying about false positives.

Terri

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