[Question #2199] 12 Week IgG
95 months ago
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Hi Terri,
Following up on my question from a little while ago, 2072 for reference. I'm a few days away from the 12 week mark since my risky encounter. Would this be an appropriate, and relatively conclusive, time to take an IgG? It would be through Tstd.org/Quest Diagnostics.
Real quick about me...27 year old Caucasian male. Very healthy before all this happened. No history of autoimmune diseases in me or my immediate family. I do have blood sugar that's a touch on the high side, 106 fasting when last checked in April. My dad is a diabetic. As for herpes infections, I had chicken pox as a little kid and Mono when I was 20. I did contract Chlamydia last November from my ex-girlfriend. The Doxy really beat up my digestive system, but I felt pretty much back to normal by mid January. I have twice tested for herpes, and was double negative both times. December 1, 2016.....when I found out about the Chlamydia, and on March 21, 2017. The December test was 3 months prior to my encounter, and the March test was 17 days after. My GP did give me two (1 gram) tablets of Valacyclovir about 30 days after my encounter, I think as a precautionary measure. The risky encounter is the only sexual activity of any kind since last November. I'm just telling you all this in case you see something that might trip up the IgG.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
95 months ago
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Yes, the 12 week mark would be a good time to get a final IgG antibody test. I hope if the results are negative you can allow yourself to put this concern behind you. Your history of chicken pox and mono should have no impact on your herpes antibody testing. One gram of valacyclovir will not impact your antibody testing at all - not enough to make a difference. Nor would the doxy make an impact.
Terri
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Terri
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95 months ago
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Hi Terri,
At 12.5 weeks, I am still negative for HSV1 and HSV2. I'll follow up with my GP, he'll be pleased to hear the news; other than that, is there anything else I should do? Would you recommend a Western Blot?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
95 months ago
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So happy to hear that you are negative at 12.5 weeks -I think there is nothing else that you really need to do. You've had no symptoms consistent with or worrisome for herpes so I don't think that you need to do the western blot. Great news for you
Terri
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Terri
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95 months ago
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I'll gladly take your advice! One last question, and then I'm out of here. I've learned so much from all this, and now I'm curious. How easy is it to contract HSV1 just through heavy kissing? On your mouth/lips obviously. From this point forward, I'm going to be very weary of this. I had no idea that so many people had oral herpes. Or genital herpes for that matter.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
95 months ago
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About 56% of the US population between 14 and 49 have HSV 1 and 16% have HSV 2. The standard IgG test for HSV 1 misses 30% of infections so many people don't know they are infected. And yes, if one person has HSV 1 and the other does not, heavy kissing can transmit the virus.
Terri
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Terri
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