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Does HSV2 Antibodies Provide Immunity To HSV 1 Infection?

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Posted on Wed, 8 Oct 2014
Question: I have some general questions about HSV 1 and 2: Do HSV 2 antibodies provide some immunity to HSV 1 infection? If I am HSV 2 positive and HSV 1 negative and husband of 20 years is HSV 2 negative and HSV 1 positive is this an indication that I have had HSV 2 from premarital relations? I have been with husband since 1993 and have not developed antibodies to HSV 1. I know it's difficult to retrospectively figure out from whom past exposures were from. In my situation, if it is true that HSV 2 provides some immunity to HSV 1, it supports the possibility that my infection has been longstanding and dormant. My thinking stems from the commonality of HSV 1 in the adult population yet I test negative for it despite hubby being positive.
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Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Details below

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Thanks for writing to us at Health Care Magic.
Usually HSV2 antibodies donot provide protection against HSV 2 infection and HSV 1 antibodies donot provide protection against HSV 2 infection, but rarely it may provide protection if the antigenic properties of two types of viruses is similar , which may be the case with you . If your husband is HSV2 negerive then you might have contracted the infection with past sexual exposers.
Hopefully I have answeres your query , incase you have other query then I will be happy to help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Manisha Jain

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Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5136 Questions

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Does HSV2 Antibodies Provide Immunity To HSV 1 Infection?

Brief Answer: Details below Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing to us at Health Care Magic. Usually HSV2 antibodies donot provide protection against HSV 2 infection and HSV 1 antibodies donot provide protection against HSV 2 infection, but rarely it may provide protection if the antigenic properties of two types of viruses is similar , which may be the case with you . If your husband is HSV2 negerive then you might have contracted the infection with past sexual exposers. Hopefully I have answeres your query , incase you have other query then I will be happy to help.