so confused...wrongly diagnosed?

[Fhs63]

I am not new to this support group, just have not been on for a while... I was diagnosed in Jan. 2011 by a culture test and was told that I was positive for hsv-2.. No test was done on the culture for hsv-1.. However, both blood tests came back negative.. due to my body not building up antibodies.. Fast forward to Nov. 2011 and I get tested again and am told that I am positive for the virus that causes cold sores. I assume they are referring to Hsv-2 because my culture was positive. Recently was tested again this past July 2015 and when the nurse called to give me my results she tells me I am positive for hsv-1. I say to her, wait a minute, are you telling me that I am not positive via blood test for 2 but for 1? And she says yes, your blood test in Nov. 2011 and July 2015 both show positive for hsv-1 but negative for hsv-2.I said then how was my culture positive for hsv-2 if they didn't test for hsv-1. She said she needed to check with the doctor. I get a call back saying that the lab made a mistake on the culture and put 2 instead of 1?? I did have one genital outbreak in Jan. 2011 and have not had one since.. I never had the paper work until now and I'm just so confused and pissed that they could make a mistake like that and I've been dealing with and disclosing that I'm hsv-2 positive for 4 1/2 years now. From what I understand, it is hard to pass hsv-1 genitally? Any feedback or input on this would be greatly appreciated. This is a wonderful support group.... it got me through the tough times in the beginning.. many wonderful people on here! thank you!!!

[WilsoInAus]

Yes you were incorrectly assigned type 2. Unfortunately there are too many assumptions made with genital swabs regarding HSV-2. Up to half of all new genital infections these days are HSV-1.

Transmission rates are unknown but look to be around 1/5 or less of HSV-2. This maps to of the order of 2% chance per annum, that's without antivirals and condoms so halve this for condoms and no real need for antivirals.

The additional factor is that partners already with HSV-1 are essentially immune from further infection.

[Fhs63]

Yes you were incorrectly assigned type 2. Unfortunately there are too many assumptions made with genital swabs regarding HSV-2. Up to half of all new genital infections these days are HSV-1.

Transmission rates are unknown but look to be around 1/5 or less of HSV-2. This maps to of the order of 2% chance per annum, that's without antivirals and condoms so halve this for condoms and no real need for antivirals.

The additional factor is that partners already with HSV-1 are essentially immune from further infection.

Thank you WilsolnAus for your reply! I do appreciate it. Im not sure what you mean by look to be around 1/5 or less of HSV-2? thank you!

[WilsoInAus]

Sorry, I meant to infer they are one fifth those of HSV-2, divide the transmission rates of HSV-2 by 5 and you have an estimate of HSV-1 transmission rates... probably a conservative one too!

[Fhs63]

Sorry, I meant to infer they are one fifth those of HSV-2, divide the transmission rates of HSV-2 by 5 and you have an estimate of HSV-1 transmission rates... probably a conservative one too!

Thank you!!!I really appreciate your help!