Question:
When I went to the Dr during my first OB he did a culture that came back positive for HSV1 (genitally). He ordered bloodwork for type 1 and 2 as well. The stupid ppl at the lab didn't do the tests seperately (even though that's what I PAID for!!!) and the blood work came back positive for a recent exposure, but it came back as combine 1&2 so the dr can't tell by the blood test which type it is. He said that clinically it doesn't matter which type I have but it does matter to me. If it's type1 then I know exactly when/where/how I got it and I feel a lot better about it. Plus I'm hoping that it's true that HSV1 genitally isn't as severe. He's an OBGYN and he's an AWESOME dr, I wish I could go to him for everything, but maybe he isn't as current on STDs as he is obstetrics. He spends three days during the week at the hospital delivering babies and the other two seeing patients in his office.

So should I just trust that's it's type 1 and let it go without shelling out more money for tests? The infection sprung up a couple days after having oral sex. I thought it was a yeast infection which I'm prone to, so I began to wonder if it was herpes all along. But since my bloodwork came back recent exposure should I be certain that that is the day I got it?? We also had regular sex that day too, but he has never had any symptoms of an OB and can't even remember ever having a coldsore. We haven't had a lot of partners (which I know doesn't really matter) so I'm really hoping it's type1 and I won't have a lot of problems. I also hope and pray that everyone here is doing well and is finding comfort and relief. Thanks for any answers and sorry this is so long and rambling!!

Answer:
"recent infection" just means you have immediate response antibodies at a high level, indicating a recent infection, however that can also mean you already had it and have just recently had an outbreak, the antibody level for that type of immediate response antibody will be present in either case. Theres another type of antibody level that is indicative of past exposures as welll. Look at the results again or ask for more specifics.may or may not give you all the answers you want. Also, to keep in mind...yeast infections are one of the most common things women often mistake .......often they are really herpes outbreaks and women have no clue since they present just like a yeast infection and go away often in the same duration it takes for a yeast infection being treated to disappear as well, so theres a chance you being "prone to yeast infections" may actually have been herpes outbreaks all along. Theres no way to know for sure if in the past you have never been tested specifically via blood work for herpes to know if in the past you had it or not.

Answer:
Thanks Box, this is SO darned confusing. Didn't help that the stupid lab didn't do the tests my dr asked for. Since I had open weeping blisteres when he swabbed them he did get a positive for HSV1. I just wonder now if I might somehow also have HSV2. If I did it would be very confusing for me to figure this all out. What a head scratcher.

Answer:
ducky406 - do you think there is a possibility that you only have hsv1 and if you had both the test would have said you have both? (As in the requested test was a combination request for both strands and only one was positive.)

maybe someone (the dr perhaps) can ask the lab how they would represent test results with both strands. He may want to know this for future requests.

Answer:
My doctor said that he ordered two tests each for type 1 and type 2. The results that they gave him were a combined total, so he said that if the only test he had done were the blood test he wouldn't be able to tell which kind I have. Judging by the culture it only showed hsv1. In other words, he didn't get the results that he ordered. Which pisses me off because I paid $300 for them and really can't afford to get it done again.

I guess my main question to all of you is, can I be fairly certain that the only type I have is type 1? Like I said before, I came down with these symptoms about two days after having oral sex. My boyfriend doesn't remember having a coldsore ever (but he doesn't pay much attention to himself *ahem*) but his brother gets them all the time and always has. My BF also NEVER has had a cold so I think he has a kick ass immune system. Yes I have had a lot of infections that I thought were yeast. The yeast medicine usually works and I've never had the blistering like I did with that herpes OB. I have had some scratch looking things before but yeast infections can cause that too.

What a bunch of confusing crap eh? I think I'll just hang a "closed" sign on my coochie and hope for the best LOL!

Answer:
I'd talk to the dr about you paying for the tests to determine which strand and ask if they will stand by this and let you test again at no charge. Usually they will honor this if they made the mistake. Couldn't hurt to ask.

As for your bf. If his brother has coldsores it is possible they both contracted it from the same person and he may have never had a first ob or coldsore or was so young he cannot remember. It would help if he can get tested.

So it probably did come from the oral but if they'll cover a retest you might want to do it.

Answer:
Maybe I'll try that...maybe not. The lab I went to is close to home and my Doc is pretty far away. They were IDIOTS at this lab. She was trying to figure out what to call back to the lab for. She was like "HSV???"...I said HERPES! She said OH! Then she talked on the phone and whispered "is that considered an STD?" DUH DUH and DUH!!! Then they only charged me for half the stuff and I got a bill for the rest after I thought I was done paying. So I would really rather not bother with that again any time soon. Every time I talk to the dr about it or go for a test it's like pouring salt in the wound. I think based on the situation, the culture and the fact that I haven't had any more symptoms (yet) that it is type 1. I'm just hoping for the lesser sentence if you will, and hope that I am one of the lucky ones who don't have a lot of problems with it. I also wish I could take this pain from all of you:cry:

Answer:
Forgot to add that my dr sent the culture to his labs and I had the bloodwork done at a different one. He really is an awesome dr so I don't think he would've made a mistake like that. He made me feel a lot better about my diagnosis too so that's a good thing...he has a great bedside manner.

Answer:
Here are my comments:

...and the blood work came back positive for a recent exposure, but it came back as combine 1&2 so the dr can't tell by the blood test which type it is. There is no reliable bloodtest for a recent infection. Many people (doctors too) believe the IgM test can determine recent infection. It can't!! Studies have shown the IgM antibodies will appear in 34% of recurring outbreaks. And the IgM antibodies can be present even when the person doesn't have the Herpes virus at all. Any and all IgM results should be tossed. Quest Labs stopped offering the IgM test for herpes testing about a year ago because of all the confusion it causes.

BoxofRain's Comment is correct: "...however that can also mean you already had it and have just recently had an outbreak,..."

Bottom line is either your doctor ordered the wrong test and won't fess up to it and trying to pacify you with his/her lack of knowledge. Or, the lab screwed up and just performed the wrong test.

If you were to post your results line for line, my guess is your blood work was done by LabCorp. My complaint with them is they still offer the IgM test (which even the CDC doesn't recommend) and their default Herpes test starts with a combination HSVI/II test which isn't much help, but an added expense passed on to you. And if follow up type specific tests aren't performed, then you're left in the dark.

Personally I think it is important to know your complete HSV status. While it appears you have HSV1 genitally, HSV1 offers no protection in getting HSV2 in the same location (genitally). I would recommend you explain to your doctor that either he/she ordered the wrong test or that the Lab perform the wrong test, and you want it corrected.

The correct test is an IgG type specific test; HerpeSelect is the most common in the States. If you're using LabCorp, ask for it by name.

Regards
Mr Smith