3 ms·
How would you know if you had HSV? My impression was that a lot of infections are so mild that those with them don't realize they had it.
by graeme 8y ago
How would you know if you had HSV? My impression was that a lot of infections are so mild that those with them don't realize they had it.
- eganist 8y agoThe causative study pointed to people who were specifically diagnosed. There's a probable difference in shed-rates in people who have recurring outbreaks v. people who don't. I believe there's also a difference in outbreak rates in people who have ApoE4 v. people who don't, but I shouldn't be quoted on that. But you're right in asking, and the answer is probably to go to a doctor if you see new sores and get on the antivirals if you're diagnosed.
- chimeracoder 8y ago> How would you know if you had HSV? My impression was that a lot of infections are so mild that those with them don't realize they had it. That's true. There's a blood test you can do, though.
- kurthr 8y agoMy understanding is that the (old?) test is sensitive to both HSV1 (oral cold sores) as well as HSV2 (genital) because their protein coats are similar... so if you have cold sores you'll test positive even if you don't have HSV2. Of course their effect on the brain could be similar... although more than 50% of people have HSV1.
- caycep 8y agoThis will be difficult. Everyone technically has HSV, it's just part of the environment, like E. coli. So the question may end up turning - do you give a medicine long-term to suppress existing HSV "flora" in the body/restore the immune system's ability to do so, vs. the side effects of such meds. Some people are on long-term acyclovir or valacyclovir, at the risk of increased strain on the kidneys, etc.
- entwife 8y agoEvidence of previous HSV infection can be obtained by a laboratory blood test for antibodies to HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 (IgG for past infections, IgM for more recent infections.)