I have done the Antibody test for both HSV1 and HSV2 three weeks after suspected infection and outbreak. Results came out negative for both. Am I out of the woods yet?
Also during my suspected first outbreak, I think I have infected my left eye ... been feeling eye dryness and pain lately but today I woke up with a completely red left eye. I am scared sh*tless
Went to two different eye doctors for this and they said it's nothing serious and both gave moisturizer eye drops.
The IgG antibody test is only good around possibly 8 weeks, and conclusive at 12+ weeks. Three weeks is thus not useful, other than to serve as a baseline. If the test was for IgM antibodies, then the cannot be relied upon at any point in time past exposure/infection, as the test is considered unreliable for herpes generally. Regarding your eye, if you're really worried, best to go see an ophthalmologist again.
And mention your herpes autoinoculation fears, if you didn't already.
The test was for both IgG and IgM antibodies. I will do it again at the 12 Week mark to confirm for sure.
Thank you
I had to wait 3 months and then I did blood work and sure enough I have hsv1
I had all the symptoms besides an actual OB and one of my symptoms were gritty eyes. They felt super weird like I had something in them but nothing was. They just felt not right.
Very enlightening Topp. Could you explain your eye symptoms in more detail Please
Mine are:
Pain
Dry eye
Red eyes
Blurred vision
No discharge so far
Idk how else to explain it. Like they felt like a small piece of hair or lint was in them. And I experienced blurred vision as well. That went away after about 3 days and it was in both eyes eventually but started in my left. I was literally looking in my eye balls to see if there were hair in it or something. I get blurred vision every now and again but other than that I think I'm fine now.
I got the all out sickness like flu like symptoms headache backache dizziness clear discharge lower back pain tingling burning sore throat but no ob so the docs couldn't wouldn't diagnose me so I had to wait 3 months. .. well I got my answer on monday... sadly dealing with it... I'm feeling better tho, not flu like anymore which helps immensely just to feel normal again
Eye problems are not a symptom of genital herpes *at all*, unless you infected your eye by touching a genital lesion then rubbing your eyes without washing your hands first.
I see. It seems you had a "foregin body" sensation in your eye.
About eye symptoms, yes I rubbed my left eye which was itching after inspecting my gentials with the same hand without washing ... Terrible mistake I know.
I urge everone who suspects they have HSV to never touch their eyes without cleaning first ... until they develop antibodies in their system.
I guess the only way for me is to wait until the 3 month mark to get tested again ... oh well
Glad you are holding up fine Topp ... herpes damage is mostly psychological ... just convince yourself it is not so bad ... which really it is not.
Thank you Felis and Topp for the valuable input!
Will update again after I redo the antibody test.
Yep, touching lesions then eyes (or elsewhere) without washing your hands first is never a good idea, even with adequate antibodies. The risk of autoinoculation should be negligible after 4+ months, but exceptions sometimes occur, so best not to tempt fate. It's also kinda gross! Hopefully you did not infect your eye, if you even have herpes to begin with. Why didn't they swab you? Missed opportunity to diagnose/confirm your outbreak then and there.
Didn't have any lesions/blisters to be swabbed. Just all the other symptoms (pain/tingle/itch) except flu sickness.
My case is a weird one. Will know for sure the first week of June ... fine with either result to be honest ...