[Question #1639] Herpes

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93 months ago
Need answer about herpes showing up in blood test
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93 months ago
I got herpes over 40 years ago, never had an outbreak since the initial one, that I know of, my current girlfriend is going in for all kinds of tests for a possible lung transplant, she has stage 4 copd, what are the chances of her passing the blood test for her to be cleared for the transplant, she is suppose to not have any std, is this serious enough for them to deny her the transplant? 
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
93 months ago
Oh goodness, I don't there will be any issues at all here if she has herpes, which you probably don't even know if she has for sure (do you?).  Also, if you have nevber had an outbreak since the initial one, you might have HSV 1, not HSV 2, because you've had no recurrences - a much milder genital infection.  Also, if she does happen to have HSV 1, more than half the population does also (the cause of recurrent cold sores) so they could never eliminate half the population for transplants because of this very common virus.  All the best to her as she enters this potentially life saving procedure.  I hope so much it goes without a hitch
Best
Terri
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93 months ago
Thank you very much for the response, the only thing is she has to pass 20 tests, and the std is one of them, but if she would happen to have hav 1 then in your opinion would it show up, enough for them to say something or just let it go?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
93 months ago
I would bet a lot of money that they would let it go, and the other thing is, I wonder if they would even test for herpes.  Unknown.    As I mentioned, HSV 1 is SO COMMON and most of it oral infection.  But the thing is, if they do find HSV of either kind, and she doe get a transplant, she will likely want to consider taking daily suppressive therapy because the transplant drugs will suppress her immune response.  But if you want to, after she gets the results, we can take more about where to go next with this, if you like.

Terri
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93 months ago
I appreciate your advice, I think I get one more fallow up, she has been feeling very sickly lately, she is on oxygen 24-7, do you think this has anything to do with it, appreciate your time, & hate to be a pest, but worried about her, I never gave it any thought because I have never had a fallow up reacurance. 
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
93 months ago
Actually, you don't have one more post (you only get three) but I don't think herpes has anything to do with her illness, no.  And you are NOT a pest!

Terri
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