Q. How can blood show HSV-1 IgG positive without any symptoms?

Hello doctor,

I am a 35 year old male. I weigh 68 Kg and my height 5'5". I am in a healthy status. History:

• No episodes of herpes except chickenpox in childhood.

• No infection of HIV - clinically tested every 6 months since last 7 years.

• I am straight and only 1 relationship with spouse.

• Both me and my spouse are not having HIV - clinically tested.

• I had bacterial/fungal infection with pus and redness in the genital area and so blood test was done.

I recently got tested and the report is as follows:

• HIV -ve.

• HSV-1 IgG 4.5 +ve.

• HSV-1 IgM 0.29 -ve.

• HSV-2 IgG 0.45 -ve.

• HSV-2 IgM 0.69 -ve.

HSV-1 is mostly a non-genital infection. I have not had any episode of HSV-1 type herpes in my life. I have never had HSV-1 type herpes anywhere in the body.

• How can blood show HSV-1 IgG positive without any symptoms?

• Doctor (dermatologist) says it is because of past infection and there is no present infection.

• Doctor told that I should take antiviral dose Acyclovir for 20days for HSV-1 IgG past infection. 

• Is it useful to take antiviral dose for past HSV-1 type infection? Will it reduce the IgG level in blood? 

• Is HSV-1 IgG showing a false positive result?

Question 1 : Should I take Acyclovir medicine for HSV-1 IgG positive results? (Blood test done on 20th January 2015) Question 2 : Should I retest for HSV-1? Question 3 : Is HSV-1 transmitted via intercourse or sexual contacts? Question 4: Is HSV-1 a life threatening disease? Question 5 : Does HSV-1 positive at present means that I had infected with HSV-1 3 or 4 months back (but no symptoms at present)? Question 6 : Various herbs like monolaurin, a coconut ingredient are proven to flush out/kill HSV-1 virus from nerves, how far is this trustworthy? Please explain.