Are Herpes Related Virus Tests Relevant if One if Not Sexually Active?

[Scotty81]

Hi,

I had the chance to talk to a famous CFS doc who mentioned that among many other potential blood tests that one could do, that several herpes related virus tests were important. I've listed these below. What I neglected to ask the doctor is whether these tests are relevant if an individual is not sexually active. I figured that it was rather easy to look this up, but didn't see any quick answers.

Since CFS/ME patients can sometimes do a lot of testing to identify underlying issues, I thought I'd post this question. Thanks in advance if anyone knows the answers.

Potential blood tests:
HerpesVirus 6 (IgG, IgM)
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (IgG, IgM)
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (IgG, IgM)

Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,
Scotty81

 

[JAH]

Yes - these viruses are unrelated to the sexually contracted herpes. Herpes is a large family of viruses - shingles, EBV and chicken pox are also herpes viruses. I see Dr. Montoya and he tests for many herpes viruses, and treats herpes 6, EBV, with anti virals.

Good luck,
JAH

 

[SOC]

Most people have their initial HHV6 and CMV infections before age 5. I doubt many of them are sexually active.

Herpesviruses are not generally sexually transmitted diseases. Some can be transmitted sexually, but can also be transmitted other ways, so even having HHV-1 or HHV-2, which are more commonly transmitted sexually, is no indication of sexual activity. Cold sores are caused by HHV-1 and HHV-2. Having cold sores doesn't mean you're sexually active.

You might want to do some background research on herpesviridae. An easy place to start is the Wikipedia article on herpesviridae.

 

[heapsreal]

Generally doctors will say you only have an active infection such as ebv or cmv if you show antibodies to igm, if igg they will say it's a past infection, this is generalizing a lot. They can't really tell if a virus has reactivated but many cfs experts believe if one has very high igg titres than than this indicates an old infection reactivating, especially if showing viral type symptoms. I also think getting t cells tested can help with this diagnosis and if cd8 t cells are high than this can also help with diagnosis of an active herpes infection. Nothing is concrete.