test question

[Norma 11]

HSV 2 - 20 obviously means infected but does it mean highly contagious since the number is so high? is there any way to understand if infected 1 or 10 years ago?

[WilsoInAus]

IgG tests using the ELISA technique can have reference values for positive of other than 1. 
Exactly what test did you have that was positive? What was the reference for positive? 1.1 or something else?

Either way, the number is not related to your experience in terms of shedding or outbreaks - whether it is high or low.

[Norma 11]

IGG HSV 2 test with 1.1 for positive.

[WilsoInAus]

3 minutes ago, Norma 11 said:

IGG HSV 2 test with 1.1 for positive.

There is no real way of knowing the duration of the infection.

You can recall no genital symptoms you can’t explain? Is there a chance the infection is not genital, such on your hand?

[Norma 11]

nope nothing really. It was the first outbreak really and this number right after, in about a week

[WilsoInAus]

13 minutes ago, Norma 11 said:

nope nothing really. It was the first outbreak really and this number right after, in about a week

Where was the outbreak? I'm guessing it was a pretty tame lesion?

[Norma 11]

It was a small cut right in the middle of a shaft. I did not really thought it was herpes. 

[WilsoInAus]

9 minutes ago, Norma 11 said:

It was a small cut right in the middle of a shaft. I did not really thought it was herpes. 

It may not have been related to herpes.

You will need to assume that your HSV-2 is genital unless and until any other evidence emerges. Swaps are helpful in this regard.