I have had Hsv 2 for 6 years now. I would like a bit more clarification
regarding a couple of statements from Asha, one from the book "Understanding
Hepes" by the Asha on page 11; "During inactive phases, the virus lies dormant
in the ganglion areas and poses no threat" To me, this means I'm not contagious

if I'm not having any signs or symptoms. However, I'am aware of the possibility

of viral shedding, not knowing when exactly this occurs, but NOT all experts
believe that viral shedding does occur. A virus has to be active for it to shed

and reach the surface of the skin creating symptoms. I have also read "viral
latency exhibits no active viral shedding nor causes any pathologies or
symptoms", so I would concur that if there are no symptoms, the virus is
inactive, not reproducing or spreading, therefore not contagious.???


The other statement regarding the statistic that my partner is 96% not likely to

contract the virus if I'm not having any signs or symptoms. The % based on viral

shedding. (Again, from my understanding, a virus has to be active to shed.)
If I'm not showing any signs or symptoms, the virus is inactive, therefore poses
no threat.?

It seems there is a slight discrepency between the two statements. Either the
virus is inactive and not contagious...period or the virus is active and
therefore contagious....period???


Along with reading a book I found on HSV 1 & 2[color=#0040FF][/color] and doing
extensive research on the Alkaline diet, I have radically changed my lifestyle
to follow their concepts. As claimed, I have not had any outbreaks since these
changes. With the theory that diseases cannot survive or multiply in a highly
alkaline, oxygenated environment, specifically the herpes virus. Is it possible
that the virus can be expeled from the body? Or at least if I were to keep my
ph at a certain level, that the virus would remain latent or dormant and
therefore not be contagious? The author believes if you never have symptoms,
you are not contagious any time. They have claimed that some people have
actually tested negative after completeing the program. In the opinion of Asha,

is this possible?


The test I had done was the Glycoprotein-G specific antibody before I started
this program. This test only states positive or negative. There are no numeric

values and what do the numeric values mean? Is there other tests Asha
recommends? Is one test better than the other?

Thank you for your response,
SMC

Everyone who has herpes, regardless of the type or the location, sheds periodically both with obvious recurrences and periodically in between. Plenty of well done studies over the years that prove this beyond a doubt. You don't always know when the virus is actively shedding.

The 4% risk each year of a male partner contracting hsv2 from you if all you did was avoid sex during obvious symptoms, includes asymptomatic shedding too.

I've never, ever read a good study that showed that folks actually had hsv2 prior to starting any alternative treatments and then tested negative accurately afterwards. I'm always highly suspicious of treatments that try to tell you that they can rid your body of recurrences and of the virus. With the false positive issues with herpes igg blood testing, I have a feeling that most of their claims about that come from folks who really did not have hsv2 in the first place. Unfortunately most alternative treatments don't bother to do well done studies with control groups to prove that they have any effectiveness at even reducing ob's let alone reducing viral shedding and rely on "user comments" ( yes I"m always skeptical that they are even real people commenting ).

betsy

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ASHA Moderator

Thank you,
Can you please answer about the tests..is one test better than another and whats the difference with the tests that state numeric values and what do the numeric values mean?

there is a list of the herpes blood tests on the main asha site under the herpes info.

whether they return with numeric results or not depends on the test. the herpes WB only gives a + or _ as well as the herpeselect immunoblot does too. most of the others return with numeric results, just depends on the reporting policy of the lab/clinic as to if you get them or not.

clear as mud eh?

betsy

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ASHA Moderator

Pretty much...but do you know what the numeric values stand for whether it be a low or high number?
I understand if you are positive...you are positive, but curious what it means if you test low or high?

Other than for ruling out the false positives, the actual numeric value isn't of much meaning. for instance say you had a hsv2 igg of 2.7 and a + lesion culture so you know it's a true positive. There's no difference in your infection as far as shedding, length of time of infection or how often you'll have recurrences than someone who has a hsv2 igg of 9.7.

was that the type of information you were wondering?

betsy

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ASHA Moderator

Yes, that helps somewhat.
Sorry to be repetitive, but just to clarify, when the virus is inactive it poses no threat..not contagious...Correct?

Thanks again for your quick responses!

correct - it's on average active about 15% of days which leaves 85% of the time that it isn't active.

betsy

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ASHA Moderator

concerning testing..is it possible to get tested anonymously? Can one just go to a lab, pay for it out of pocket?I also read that one can get results in 15 min. with a biokit? And I suppose one would have to wait 16 weeks to get tested for accuracy?