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Hi Doctor, I Had A Girlfriend Around 6 Years Back.
Question: Hi Doctor, I had a girlfriend around 6 years back. I never had unprotected sex with her. But had oral a couple of times. We broke up around 5 years back and 4 years back, I got into a relationship with another lady. We are together for the last 4 years and she is 5 months pregnant now. I have never tested for STDs in my life so ever. I happened to visit a spa around 22 days back and ended up in a handjob. I started panicking after that as I noticed a light patch-like painless sore on my penis. I went for a full STD check and came positive for HSV1(1.12) and HSV2 (1.17) IGG. I am worried now as my girlfriend is pregnant. We never had any intercourse after she became pregnant. I am wondering if I got HSV from the recent exposure or the previous one. Please advise me. I am even scared to kiss my girlfriend now.
I read my result is low positive range. Does that mean a recent infection? I am confused if a recent infection will have higher antibodies or an old infection will have higher antibodies. Should I also go for an IGM test? Please help.
Brief Answer:
Presence of HSV Ig G antibodies does not indicate an active infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to ASK A DOCTOR through HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
Oral sex carries a low risk for the transmission of HIV/STIs. Hand job is absolutely has no risk for HIV/STI.
Genital HSV sores started with tiny grouped vesicles followed by tiny grouped ulcers. It is self limiting disease. These are not necessarily painful always. If it is not fit with this description your genital sore might not be due to HSV. This could be due to even friction.
HSV 1 &2 Ig G antibodies indicate an old infection. Not necessarily an active infection. Moreover it is a combination test for HSV 1 and 2. HSV 1 is not an STI usually. Nearly 40-45% of any population will like to have a positive Ig G antibodies for HSV 1. It could be even due to a childhood infection. If you want to cofirm an active infection you can go for a quantitatve HSV PCR test for both HSV 1 and 2.
HSV infection is not a life threatening infection. Thousands of people are living with HSV infection without much discomfort and gave birth to healthy children.
If your girl friend has any symptoms of HSV infection then she may need suppressive therapy. If there is frequent recurrences or an episode after 32 weeks of pregnancy, the baby has to be delivered throgh abdomen (Caesarian section) Otherwise it will not be harmful. Your doctors will be vigilant and tak care of her. Nothing to worry.
Dr S.Murugan
Presence of HSV Ig G antibodies does not indicate an active infection.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to ASK A DOCTOR through HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
Oral sex carries a low risk for the transmission of HIV/STIs. Hand job is absolutely has no risk for HIV/STI.
Genital HSV sores started with tiny grouped vesicles followed by tiny grouped ulcers. It is self limiting disease. These are not necessarily painful always. If it is not fit with this description your genital sore might not be due to HSV. This could be due to even friction.
HSV 1 &2 Ig G antibodies indicate an old infection. Not necessarily an active infection. Moreover it is a combination test for HSV 1 and 2. HSV 1 is not an STI usually. Nearly 40-45% of any population will like to have a positive Ig G antibodies for HSV 1. It could be even due to a childhood infection. If you want to cofirm an active infection you can go for a quantitatve HSV PCR test for both HSV 1 and 2.
HSV infection is not a life threatening infection. Thousands of people are living with HSV infection without much discomfort and gave birth to healthy children.
If your girl friend has any symptoms of HSV infection then she may need suppressive therapy. If there is frequent recurrences or an episode after 32 weeks of pregnancy, the baby has to be delivered throgh abdomen (Caesarian section) Otherwise it will not be harmful. Your doctors will be vigilant and tak care of her. Nothing to worry.
Dr S.Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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