1. Community
  2. Infections
  3. Genital Herpes Simplex

HSV1 adn HSV2 diagnosis - how do I know how long i've had it?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Greentea14
Greentea14

Hi all

I was diagnosed by PCR swab - I have both hsv1 and 2

Is there any way to tell when I contracted this or who from?

I've never been with a partner who suffers from coldsores

Would I have contracted it at the same time? or is it possible to have one type then contract the other at a later date?

Thanks for your help

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • FelizCastus
    FelizCastus Greentea14

    Posted

    If you have both genitally, as confirmed by pcr swab, then you either acquired both at or near the same time, or Type 1 first then Type 2 later. Once you have established Type 2 (after 4+ months), you are essentially immune from Type 1, but not vice versa.
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus

      Posted

      P.S. People can be carriers without symptoms, but still shed and transmit the virus.
    • Greentea14
      Greentea14 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Hi feliscatus - you are a fountain of knowledge!

      I was just wondering about the accuracy of a pcr swab though... ive heard they are pretty accurate but I messaged the herpes association in the UK and she said that she has NEVER heard or even read about anyone ever having both types of virus present in a single outbreak at the same time before?!

      Have you heard anything like this?

      I can't find any information on the internet about having both types genitally?!

      Can a PCR swab be wrong - could I have just one type?

      I might be paying for an IGG test.

      I appreciate any advice you can offer and hope youre well

      thanks

  • cartercali
    cartercali Greentea14

    Posted

    One of your parents had to have it for you to get it .

    Sometimes people don't even show symptoms men especially , they can have the disease and it goes dominant in their body for years ...

    It's kind of hard to play back when you got infected . Or how long you have had it . Most people back track their sexual partners and go from there .

    You should definitely talk to your past partners and find out / ask them about this .

    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus cartercali

      Posted

      Not sure about the parent part! She has both types genitally, so through sexual contact.

      Greentea14 - The only way to know how long you've had it is to have tested for HSV IgG regularly, then you can at least narrow it down to the last negative result. However, most people don't test for herpes until they already have it.

      In the latter scenario, you need to swab and IgG test at once, during the first outbreak, but if you never had an obvious first outbreak and thus didn't know to do that, then the opportunity to find out is unfortunately gone.

    • Greentea14
      Greentea14 FelizCastus

      Posted

      If I had an IGG test now, wouldn't that give an indication as to when I got one of the types? 

      For example, I could have a test and it could show antibodies for HSV1 but none for HSV2 - would that mean it's a new infection and i could find out that way?

      This is driving me insane. How can i have BOTH?! I can count my sexual partnets on one hand! ahhh!!!

    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus Greentea14

      Posted

      The only way to know and prove new infection is positive swab + negative IgG. However, IgG will turn positive by 3 months, even 2 months or a bit earlier for some people, so the window is slim.
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.