Genital Herpes- questions?

Thanks for getting back to me. I read some of your other threads and you seem very knowledgeable on the subject. Can I just ask how likely it is to catch it a year and half after being with someone? I've heard that it's more like my to be in the first three months. I don't even know if my partner or I even have it just go a shock when I read the leaflet. Was clearly uneducated before and thought I was doing the right thing by having my partner take an STI test before having unprotected sex!

Yes, you're right about the first three months, but obviously that's not set in stone and it is possible to avoid infection for years, although the longer a discordant couple are together, the more likely they will remain that way. I wouldn't worry too much about it, but if you're concerned, you can both test for HSV IgG antibodies (not IgM). If either of you gets a positive for Type 1, I wouldn't really worry. Type 2 is the concerning one.

I just got my test results and I have both types of HSV. I feel so sad right now. Feels like I got a death sentence. Reading all the articles just makes me feel worse. I don't think I have ever had an outbreak. Is having both worse? I read that suppressive therapy can help prevent transmission to partner. The doctor said that since I have never had an outbreak my body is suppressing it on its own. What dosage is best? Is there a litmus test to detect the shedding virus that I can purchase? How can I tell I am shedding?

Was the test for HSV IgG or IgM antibodies? What were your scores?

The test was just a blood test. No scores. It says HSV 1, IGG, SER, QN positive. It says that for both types

Interesting. Usually it will state the score for each. At least you were tested for IgG and not IgM. Do you know the name/brand of the test kit used? I only ask because having Type 1 can sometimes produce a low false positive for Type 2, depending on the test and how you score. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the way your results are presented.

What should I ask my dr.

I guess you can ask which test kit he used and whether they offer an IgG test with index values like HerpeSelect.

Can you please help. My ex and I were together for 5 years. About 5-7 weeks after we were together she had what her doctor said was her initial outbreak of symptoms. Her blood test was positive for HSV 2 but IGG was -3.7. Her gyno saw her three weeks before her outbreak and gave her a clean bill of health. She has never had any issues down there and never had any of the symptoms. An urgent care dr said it doesn't look like herpes to her. All the research says within 2-14 days of exposure for first outbreak. We have had unprotected sex at least 3 times a week. If I gave it to her wouldn't she have had symptoms during our time together.

You can't have a minus IgG index value, so don't you mean she tested positive at +3.7? In any case, if she was already positive for IgG when she tested, then she acquired the infection within 3 months prior. A swab during her outbreak should have been positive, too. Did they do one?

I am confused, because one minute you say she had a first outbreak after you were together, then you say that she's never had symptoms and shouldn't she have jad some while you were together, so which is it? But to answer your question, it is not necessary to have symptoms. Symptoms can be absent or unrecognised.

She never had symptoms when we were together. Her symptoms started after we stopped being together like 4-5 weeks after our last time. It's been about 4 weeks and her outbreak has not gotten better. Even after starting the meds. No swab was done. This is very confusing to us.

Ah, I see. "After we were together" can be interpreted both ways. Better to say "after we broke up" to avoid confusion!

Like I said, if her IgG was already positive, then it's from 3+ months ago, maybe even 2+ months ago. If she has not been with anyone else, then either it's from you or she had it all along. That's ridiculous they did not swab test her. 4 weeks is long, even for a first outbreak, especially while on the meds. If she still has newish, unhealed lesions, she should get it swabbed just to be sure. A direct diagnosis is always better. Have you been tested?

What could it be besides herpes? It hasn't responded to medicine and doesn't look like the pictures I have seen.

What does it look like? And even more reason for her to get it swabbed to confirm or rule out herpes! Just because she has herpes doesn't necessarily mean that this is also herpes, although it could be.

If you display flu symptoms or tonsillitis would they accompany other symptoms or would they be first during an outbreak?