[Question #4037] hvs-2 testing and hsv-1 transmission

33 months ago

hello drs this a follow up on #3990 i have followe Dr Hooks advice and stayed off the internet (with the exeption of this forum)his coments helped me rule out the gono/chlamedia scenerio. I also i know that you have better expertice in this than my family doctor would. A few things i didnt mention on my last question is that a day after the cef injection i felt shooting like vain disconfort in my inner thights (this was a week after encounter) this has continued till this day tho not as intense and it dosent hapen daily or for very long (minutes) also have had a ponching like feeling pn the skin of my scrotum since a few days after the enconter ( not every day not constant) off and on durind the day. Also i want to describe the pimple i mentioned causs its still there 2 weks after it showed up as a small bump less than 1/16” that in 4 days growed to a 1/8” pimple like but the white part was on the side not the middle. Like an idiot i popped it and know it looks like a crater and it has scince it does appear to be healing and it does not or ever looked or felt like the cold sores i get on my lips. My test resulst at 5 weeks read hvs-1@19.00 and 2 @1.00 “confirmed by second test on sample” range >0.91 neg 0.91-1.09 equivocal <1.09 possitive. Re- test if clinically appropriate both hvs-2&1 said HIGH in red letters

1. Just to claryfy im reading it right my result for hsv-2 is equivocal at 1.00? So right at the 1/2 poin between negative and positive.

2. Would you say that based on my results at 5 weeks it would be clinically appropriate to re test?

3. Do you have any data a 3 months from testing that could compare to my results?

4. Could my hvs-1 status be making me not feel any symptomps of hvs-2 or could it be causing the mild symptoms im feeling?

5. I have had hsv-1 since kid and so has my brother. My dad had cold sores but not my mom. My guess is i got it from my parent. It was always enberrasing and it defitinetly affected my selfsteam as a kid. How do i take precaution from passing to my kids? The only way i can think i got it is from using the same cups or silverware from my dad. Any imput on how Hvs-1 is trasfferd?

6. I never realized growing up that hvs-1 was an std. should i have been disclosing my status back when i was dating? Oops!

33 months ago

Question #3 should have said weeks not months

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

33 months ago

1. Yes, that index value is equivocal, which could be for many reasons, some of which has to do with herpes but most often, not to do with herpes. Your HSV value could be slightly impacting the HSV 2 index value

2. If you want to test again for greater reassurance, it should be done at 12 weeks.

3. Testing at 5 weeks provides you with something like 60-65% consistency with the 12 weeks result

4. Having HSV 1 will often keep symptoms of HSV 2 milder than if you were not previously infected with HSV 1, but that's not necessarily true with you.

5. HSV 1 is transferred via direct contact with an infected person. Simply do not kiss your kids when you have a cold sore. The way in which adults kiss kids otherwise is not a risk for transmission

6. I advise at a minimum to disclose HSV 1 oral infection prior to giving oral sex.

Terri

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33 months ago

Thank you for the response. I don’t really want to test again because I’m afraid if I get another equivocal or low positive at 12 weeks I’m afraid it will mess with my mind big time. One thing I would like to understand is regarding viral sheading.my protected encounter was all about 5 minutes of actual penetration none in wich a lot of friction was happening if anything I say I was trying to stay away from her body as weird as that sounds her body was dry with the exception of the lubricant . So I have a few more question:

1. When shedding happens is it actually Shedding to where the virus particles are airborne and would land on my body or is there need to be some prolonged skin to skin contact and friction for the virus to infect?

2. Based on my description of the one time protected encounter and the no obvious symptoms of herpes. In your opinion would it be “clinically appropriate” to retest at 12 weeks? (this is the lingo used in my test results)

3. Does the number of anybody for hsv1 (mine being 19.00 which I assume is high?) affect the likelihood of impacting the hsv2 test results?

4. Would you say that my results for practical purposes are considered negative and at 5 weeks I should consider them about 60-65% accurate? (based on your answer above)

5. Does a hsv-2 sore feel and look just like a hsv1 cold sore? I can feel Those coming on a day before they actually show up.

6. Does herpes ever show up as a pimple like thing with white puss ? Or usually always like a coldsore.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

33 months ago

1. No, the virus is not airborne, it is transmitted via skin to skin contact and that is really unlikely given you contact was condom protected.

2. I don't think testing is essential, no

3. it is possible that your HSV 1 antibody is causing the equivocal result on HSV 2

4. yes

5. yes

6. No, it is far more like a cold sore with fluid filled blisters

Terri

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33 months ago

Well I think that settles it for me on the hsv2 scenario I’m also feeling better since the pimple is almost gone and was messing with my head. Hope to not be back on this forum with more questions regarding this one time insident that I regret deeply. However I have found an admiration for the work all 3 of you do by reading your responses I can tell that all of you are quite dedicated to your work. And for that I thank you. One more question regarding hsv1

Can kissing my kids anywhere on the face when I have an active coldsore be a chance for transmission? I haven’t been as aware as I will probably be now when a cold sore happens.

Thank you so much again!

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

33 months ago

Mostly, the rest of the face (except the eye) has skin too thick for virus to enter but maybe kissing them on the top of the head when have a cold sore will be good, especially if they are very young. Just don't stop kissing your kids! Don't hesitate to come back if you get worried about this again.

Terri

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