HSV2 Conflicting Results

Over the summer i was tested for HSV with a type specific IGG test through LapCorp. I recieved the results that were negitive for HSV1 and IGM was negitive for Both. But I got a 3.9 for HSV2. I never had any blisters or signs of HSV and just felt like it could be false. I had my doctor send out blood for a "HSV 1 HSV 2 Immunoblot by western blot" through labcorp. These results came back negitive for both. All of these tests were months after possible exposure. I posted on here and was told that it was rare but should rely on the western blot. I have anxiety problems and constantly worry day to day that i am infected to the point that it drives me nuts. Can I trust the western blot? I just keep feeling that the IGG had to be a 3.9 for some reason. I was thinking about being retested a third time but would an ELISA test give false positive results again possibly? I can't afford another western blot. I want to put this problem to rest but keep worring about that original test I had. Any slight irritation i get on my penis I constintly examine. Am I being to paranoid, I saw a post that said labcorp was having problems around the time i was tested with flase positives (JULY 08). from time to time i have what looks like sebaceous prominence (which i have on my penis) get infected and one dot will turn red and evenually get even more red from me looking at it so much. that lasts about 3 weeks and goes back to being skin colored. I just keep thinking it might be from herpes. I guess my question is, if you were me would you worry about being retested?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your questions duplicate the ones covered in great detail in your thread on the STD forum last summer.  As I told you then, your symptoms do not suggest herpes.  If you had more typical symptoms, I would agree that retesting makes sense.  But I do not recommend it.  If you go ahead to assuage your anxiety, start with an ELISA; if that is negative, you can stop.  If positive again, have another WB as well.

This question should have been posted in the STD forum, not here.  Therefore, follow-up comments won't be accepted.  I suggest you not pay another fee to re-post in the correct forum; the answers would not be any diffeernt.  However, if you do decide to re-test, feel free to return to the ORIGINAL thread to post a follow-up comment with the results.

HHH, MD