Question:
How should I interpret my HSV test?

I did the below test with Gribbles on October 2006
Herpes Simplex Type I IgG 0
Herpes Simplex Type II IgG 0

Reference Range
Negative < 0.9
Borderline 0.9 - 1.1
Positive > 1.1

I was relieved it came back negative. However, I did another test in Nov 07 with Clinipath and got the below results.

Herpes Simplex Type I IgG 4.2
Herpes Simplex Type II IgG 10.7
Reference Range

Negative < 8.5
Borderline 8.5 - 11.5
Positive > 11.5

Should I be worried or am I overreacting? I do have some tiny outbreak of blisters on my groin almost everytime on the same spot a couple of times for the past year which clears up around 10 days.

Answer:
Your test results are from two different tests. The first one appears to be the HerpeSelect test range, the second one is not consistent with anything offered in the US.

If you live in the US, I would retest with an FDA approved test like the HerpeSelect brand.

Regards
Mr Smith

Answer:
I did another test with Gribbles last month and came back devastated. :(:(:(

I did the below test with Gribbles on November 2007
Herpes Simplex Type I IgG 0
Herpes Simplex Type II IgG 7.5

Reference Range
Negative < 0.9
Borderline 0.9 - 1.1
Positive > 1.1

What should I do? I don't want to infect my wife and we are now trying for a baby. :(

Answer:
You need to tell your wife about your test results and she needs to be tested also. It is possible she's had minor symptoms and doesn't recognize them. As you can see hsv is difficult to diagnose and even more difficult for women.

BTW I think it is admirable that you've been stubborn and willing to find out the truth.

If you and the wife have a good relationship then you are able to communicate with each other. Hopefully this means you can come to her and tell her that you had testing the result was positive and you want to work through this together.

You definitely want to know if she has hsv before she gets pregnant so that you can plan how to deal with it. If she has it also you can still have children together you would just take precautions.

Answer:
Caliope, somehow I believe my wife has not gotten the virus. It's just a gut feeling. My doctor actually recommends me to keep it to myself. He prescribed me AVC 400mg for a month to monitor the situation. If my body accepts the medication, he will put me on the pill for 6 mths and then to stop. Is this the normal practice?

Answer:
Your doctor is suggesting you lie to your wife? While trying to conceive!!!? There's something wrong with that!!

Answer:
Another problem is I dunno how to break the news to her. She will be devastated and deeply saddened at me. Furthermore we are in an Asian country where the stigma is far far worst than in the Western world.

I am afraid she will never treat me the same again or will leave me. :(

Answer:
Nate88 - you are in quite a quandry. If you married her and have been true and did not know you had this virus I do not understand why she would blame you. It sounds like you want to do the right thing and your marriage is important. I would want to emphasize those points when you explain the situation.

My deepest concern is that this physician is giving you very bad advice and in doing so is purpetrating a disservice to both you and your wife. I question his medical knowledge of this virus.

The singlemost dangerous time to contract hsv is during a pregnancy. It is at this juncture that the virus has access to the bloodstream while it is taking up residence in the hosts body. The host has no defense because they have not had a chance to develop antibodies and the fetus has even less defense and is exposed to a potentially life threatening situation.

Ideally it is best to not be infected at all but this is very difficult as women are far more likely to become infected and suffer symptoms than men. If a woman is exposed to hsv before a pregnancy and her body has a chance to develop antibodies those antibodies will protect mother and baby during the pregnancy. The only risk is if the mother has an ob at the time of delivery and this can be avoided by having a cesarean section so that the baby never comes into contact with the virus.

I understand that you believe she has not been infected but rationally without having the opportunity to discuss the situation you have no way of knowing if she has suffered minor symptoms and is not aware that they could be caused by hsv. Many women are misdiagnosed for years because dr's don't always recognize the symptoms. She needs to be tested to know for sure if your assumption is correct.

Is it at all possible that you could have acquired this infection from her?

As for the antiviral medications. The common opinion is that the meds help to keep the virus from replicating. There is no guarantee that by taking it that a risk of spreading does not still exist. You can still infect her.

What would you do after 6 months has passed? What if she is pregnant at this time - how would you protect her and your unborn child?

How will you explain if she becomes infected and has symptoms? Would she believe you cheated?

All I can say is that in my opinion the best plan is to be honest and for both of you to work through this as a couple. I hope this is an option for you.

I'm sorry as I see this is far more complicated than you can communicate on this forum. I wish you wisdom and strength as you overcome this obstacle.

Answer:
What would it means if ones get a result of a positive Herpes Simplex Type II IgG of say 3 versus 7.5?