Antivirals and blood tests

[Han13]

How do antivirals affect blood tests for hsv, or do they?

 

If antivirals were taken for a couple of weeks in June or July and last testings were done December 2nd, would that have any affect On my blood work?

[WCSDancer2010]

If you are currently on anti-virals, it's recommended you get off of them for at least a few weeks before testing. If you last took them in July, and you tested in December, it shouldn't have had any effect on the testing.

[Han13]

Thank you! I'm still having issues with my lips feeling irritated. Almost like a burning sensation under the skin along with general dryness (I know weather has some to do the the drying) my last tests (dec2) came back negative. I now have a red spot on my lip. I smiled a couple of days ago and felt a little soreness in this spot and now it's red and looks like broken skin. It seems to be in one of the creases of my lip.

 

I just don't know what to do..

[WCSDancer2010]

If you are still getting a negative result, you can be pretty sure you are negative.

 

Odds are you are having some sort of allergic reaction to something you are eating. Regular triggers are tomatoes, citrus, candy, etc... I'd get checked out for allergies next ;)

[Wiwino]

How much can they affect the test? I went to urgent care where they did the swab and gave me pills. I started taking them right away and got my blood test done a few days later. Should I be worried that my IgG test isn't negative?

[WCSDancer2010]

@Wiwino

 

If you are recently exposed, the IgG won't show up as positive for at least 3 months ... so the anti-virals won't have had any effect on your results ... What was the result of the swab?

 

[Wiwino]

As my doc said, "super high" for hsv2

[WCSDancer2010]

Well then the negative blood result is just because you are recently exposed ... the swab is very accurate for typing....no need for a blood test as you know your type....

[Han13]

I will be going to a dermatologist to see what he says and he can take a look. It's just for some reason I can't get this hsv thing out of my head and these symptoms I'm having.

 

I've read some forums with people who have the "prodrome symptoms" (like tingling or burning) for months and months without a positive blood test. So then that makes me think that I could possibly have it and just not seroconverting yet.

[WCSDancer2010]

If it will make you feel better, go to the dermatologist... but the odds are good that you are just feeling everything because you are being hyper-vigilant because of your fear of having gotten HSV1 orally from that drink you took after your friend.

 

Here's something you need to consider. How many people have you kissed in your life? How many friends have you shared a drink with? Eaten off the same spoon? Etc Etc Etc. Odds are 80% of them had Oral Herpes and you didn't know it, and you haven't got it yet. It's very rare for an adult to get it from another adult... 60% of kids have it by the time they are young adults ... so that brings down your risk factors.... either way, odds are you have been exposed to plenty of people with HSV1 orally already ... so why are you freaking out about this one? If they hadn't told you, would you be that worried about what may well be chapped lips or a food allergy?

 

Hopefully the dermatologist can give you some information that will help you ... and I'm willing to bet they will say it's some other cause ;)

 

(((HUGS)))

[Han13]

I really appreciate you taking time to deal with my anxiousness :) I know that's probably a big part of my problem.

 

I think the reason I'm freaking about this one is bc I've never noticed these symptoms until after I took the drink after her this time.

[WCSDancer2010]

I've never noticed these symptoms

 

Well, the more you focus on something, the more likely you are to notice it ;)

 

 

[Han13]

I've never *had these symptoms at all.

 

You are right though. Thanks again for your advice!