[Question #8459] Herpes testing

44 months ago

Hey sorry I know me again. I know I was told that testing for herpes again wasn’t recommended. But at 83 days I tested again thinking it was close enough to 12 weeks to be a conclusive test. But I just read that the test for herpes 1 and 2 is conclusive at 16 weeks.

I thought I finally done worrying but I guess not. What is your opinion on the conclusiveness of this test at 83 days? I know your gunna say I shouldn’t test again but just curious what’s the difference in 12 weeks vs 16?

Both my test were negative btw both at 6 and 12 weeks.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

44 months ago

Testing for herpes is just not terrific, but the results are as good as they are going to get at 12 weeks, not 16. The western blot for herpes, the gold standard, should be done at 12 weeks from any concerning encounter.

The IgG test for HSV 2 misses 8% of infections, and the IgG for HSV 1 misses 30% of infections, even when you wait long enough, compared to the western blot.

Waiting longer is not going to help the IgG test get any better.

Terri

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44 months ago

So as I understand it.

My risk for receiving a protected blowjob is very low for hsv 1 and 2.

So a negative test for hsv 1/2 at 6 and 12 weeks shows strong evidence that I did not pick up either from this encounter. 12 weeks is enough time. And I should not worry and resume having unprotected sex with my partner.

Is there anything else you can tell me to make me feel less uneasy?

I’ve had no symptoms at all niether has my partner

Thank you so much for your patience and help

44 months ago

Is 12 weeks enough time for the antibodies to be present in my system?

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

44 months ago

I would say very low is an understatement - I would say extremely low!

12 weeks is long enough to wait, correct.

If I were in your position, I would not give this so much as a second thought. You did exactly the right thing by using a condom to receive oral sex. Time to move back to a normal life now.

Terri

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44 months ago

As in 12 weeks is enough time for antibodies to form for the igg test. There’s no reason to wait longer for antibodies to form

44 months ago

I didn’t see where you responded. Ignore that last question. Thank so much

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

44 months ago

There is no reason to wait any longer, correct.

Terri

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