[Question #5149] Final HSV1/HSV2 Testing

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75 months ago
I'm a 30 year old male and I had an on and off sexual relationship with a female who found out in early August she was HSV1/HSV2 positive. We last had unprotected intercourse in late July. We fooled around some in the fall but never had intercourse again, outside of briefly penetrating her with a condom on in early November. My last encounter with her was in mid December where I received oral. I recently tested negative for HSV1 and HSV2 negative. I can confirm previous to all of this I had tested negative for HSV1 prior as well as HSV2. Should I have any concerns or feel any need to disclose to future partners? It's been over 12 weeks since the oral encounter and an extensive time since intercourse. 
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
75 months ago
The IgG test that you took misses 30% of HSV 1 and 8% of HSV 2 infections, compared to the gold standard western blot for herpes.  But if you have had no symptoms, I think HSV 2 is unlikely but not certainly negative.  For greater certainty, you could obtain the herpes western blot.  But for now, those are the numbers on the sensitivity of the IgG herpes antibody test.  Please let me know what other questions you may have.

Terri
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75 months ago
I’ve had no symptoms.  Can I pretty much assume I don’t have genital herpes? Would I have any reason to disclose to future partners?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
75 months ago
You can assume you don't have genital herpes, bearing in mind the sensitivities listed above, yes.  There is nothing to disclose to future partners at this point, correct?  No, I don't think you need to disclose anything about this situation.

Terri
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