Question about HSV Antibodies

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I recently tested positive for genital herpes type 2 in August 2016 via Igg blood test. i had a new sex partner in July. I also had HPV and failed to disclose my status before the 1st time we had sex. I felt so bad and was worried how her reaction would be. 6 days after our 1st sexual encounter, I revealed to her of my HPV status. 3 days later, i didn't feel right, was fatigued, suffered from flu like symptoms, headache, backache and body aches. About 3 weeks later, i discovered what were possible herpes lesions. I saw an urgent care doctor who diagnosed me with folliculitis and mentioned the lesions did not look like herpes. However, i took a herpes blood test and found out 4 days later i had herpes type 2. As this appeared to be my primary 1st outbreak, is it possible to have sex and test positive via Igg blood test within a months time (28 days to be exact)? Or is it possible i was infected with herpes in the past and stress from the sex without HPV disclosure situation caused my 1st outbreak?

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5 Replies

  • Posted

    What was your IgG index value, and how did you test/score for HSV1? Usually the two are done together. Did your doctor swab the lesions? I'm assuming the HPV type you have is genital warts, and there was no confusing that with what you broke out in.

    • Posted

      No lesions were swabbed. I took a blood test and my igg value was 3.51 for type 2. I was negative for type 1.
    • Posted

      Pity you weren't swabbed, but no matter. A score of 3.51 without pre-existing HSV1 would appear to be a true positive, but not an exceptionally high one, which could be possible at one month. If a new infection from a month ago, you would expect it to go up over the next couple of months, however, so you can retest for IgG at 2 and/or 3 months to see if there is a significant upward trend.

      If it does not change significantly, then it could be an 'old' infection, and the next time you suspect an outbreak, get it swabbed asap to verify your IgG result (or you can do the pricier University of Washington western blot as double confirmation at 4 months, if you want to be certain of your IgG result).

    • Posted

      Ok, so my 1st igg test was on 8/14 with an index of 3.51. I took a 2nd igg test on 10/14 and my index was 3.57
    • Posted

      Two months apart and little change. That looks like an existing infection in that case, not a new one. Your index value is not particularly high, so given some issues with IgG in some people (although you were negative for HSV1, which is the usual culprit in such cases), I would swab the next suspected outbreak or order the western blot as added confirmation.

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