I retook the test for HSV 1 & 2 and got the test results. The test results are as follow: HSV 1 IgG Type SpecLC*164903 Current Result: 32.30, Reference Range: 0.00-0.90; HSV 2 IgG Type SpecLC*163034, Current Result: 9.39, Reference Range: 0.00-0.90. I'm assuming these values mean im positive for both. But what im not understanding is why is the value for HSV 1 so high? I've never  til this day had a cold sore ever. I do have canker sores but never cold sores. And what do these numbers really mean or stand for?  Besides meaning that someone is positive for HSV 1 or 2 or both.

I'm not sure if it is a function of the test (which I suspect it is) but I almost always see the HSV 1 numbers be much higher than the HSV 2 numbers.  Your numbers do indicate that you are infected with both HSV 1 and 2.  Canker sores are not cold sores, you are correct.  The numbers by themselves don't mean anything except that we feel they represent an established infection, not a new one.

Terri

1.Since I have HSV 1 why havent I ever got a cold sore(not that I want one)?

2.If an uninfected person is infected with HSV 2, is it a definite fact that they will get genital sores or lesions?

3.And if they are infected, how long will it take for those sores/lesions to appear?

We don't actually know if you have HSV 1 genital or oral infection.  We only know that you are infected with HSV 1.  Have you ever had a genital lesion?  A very large percentage of people who have HSV 1 detected by antibody test do not report symptoms either orally or genitally.  You should just observe carefully for any genital lesions or lesions of the mouth or nose.

No, is someone gets new infection with HSV 2, they do not always get symptoms.  This is especially true if someone has HSV 1 prior to acquiring HSV 2.  IF someone is going to develop symptoms with new HSV 2 infection, they are likely to appear within 2-10 days, sometimes 14 days but rarely.  The average time from infection to symptoms is 5.5 days.

Terri

So you know that you have a genital infection if you were having genital outbreaks.  Good that suppression is controlling them now.

Terri