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What Causes HSV 2?
Question: Hello i have a few questions. Ok i had some tests ran on me and one was the IGG TEST and it came back positive for hsv2 and the number is 5.00 my doctor called me and told me that my tests came back normal i just have a yeast infection and she gave me diflucan and i was fine. I went to a new doc and she saw my IGG test of 5.00 and said i had genital herpes and put me on valtrex i have never had any out breaks or cold sores and my main doc said im fine the new doc have me worried so do i have genital herpes based off that number? please help me cause other doctors said those tests are false positive thats why they dont use them unless u suspect an out break is happening . Please inform me thanks
Brief Answer:
Vatrex is indicated only in presence of lesion.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
HSV 2 is a sexually transmitted infection whereas HSV1 (cold sores) is not.
Ig G antibody positive means it refers to an old infection and not acquired recently. Anything above 1 would be consider as positive. (Mostly the 'Cut Off'' value would be '1' in your test).
HSV infection is known for recurrences even after successful healing of the lesion. In women it might remain not so obvious due to their anatomical structures (inner aspect of genitals not visible outside unlike that of male counter part). Most likely you might be unaware of this outbreak in your genitals.
Regarding the treatment for HSV 2 with Valtrex, it would be useful only when given during the manifestation or out break of the lesion to reduce the discomfort, to help quick healing and to reduce the viral shedding period. It has no value when given in the absence of any lesion. It would not be able to eliminate the virus from the body. But low dose for a longer period would have a suppressive effect (Prevent recurrences).
So Valtrex is necessary only when you have obvious lesion with or without an examination and not as a casual therapy.
I hope that you got the point and if you have any more doubts regarding this feel free to ask.
Dr S.Murugan
Vatrex is indicated only in presence of lesion.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
HSV 2 is a sexually transmitted infection whereas HSV1 (cold sores) is not.
Ig G antibody positive means it refers to an old infection and not acquired recently. Anything above 1 would be consider as positive. (Mostly the 'Cut Off'' value would be '1' in your test).
HSV infection is known for recurrences even after successful healing of the lesion. In women it might remain not so obvious due to their anatomical structures (inner aspect of genitals not visible outside unlike that of male counter part). Most likely you might be unaware of this outbreak in your genitals.
Regarding the treatment for HSV 2 with Valtrex, it would be useful only when given during the manifestation or out break of the lesion to reduce the discomfort, to help quick healing and to reduce the viral shedding period. It has no value when given in the absence of any lesion. It would not be able to eliminate the virus from the body. But low dose for a longer period would have a suppressive effect (Prevent recurrences).
So Valtrex is necessary only when you have obvious lesion with or without an examination and not as a casual therapy.
I hope that you got the point and if you have any more doubts regarding this feel free to ask.
Dr S.Murugan
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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