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Hiv & Herpes Test
Hi Dr HHH, I'm from Malaysia and sorry for the bad English. I've unprotected sex with unknown HIV partner 3 months ago. I've undergo a few blood test within the window period. My first test was at week 2 HIV ag/ab - negative. My GP advise me to go for western blot due to my anxiety and worry. I know is kind of stupid to go for WB as I know it's only used to confirm positive Elisa Test, but not Negative Elisa Test. The result came back at week 4 - Negative. I also done another 4th Generation Test at week 10 - Negative and 3rd Genaration test at week 11++ - Negative . However, i tested to have positive on HSV 1 (1.54 value ) & HSV 2 (1.12 Value). I did notice some pimple in my penis head before at about week 2, but is not itchy and pain and it go off within 1 to 2 days. My question is:
1) is there any possible false positive result for HSV since the value is just cut above the positive line?
2) will HSV positive result affect my HIV result?
3) Is the pimple at my penis a sign of HSV ?
4) Am i consider conclusive for HIV Result? In Malaysia, a lot of GP recommend to have 6 month HIV test instead of 3 month which really confuse me.
5) Do i need to follow my GP to go for 6 month HIV test again?
6) I did some general treatment because of mild fever and some other sickness, will medication affect my HIV Result too?
7) Is there any window period for WB and it is reliable for negative result at week 4?
Please help me Dr, I'm so worry and confuse.
1) is there any possible false positive result for HSV since the value is just cut above the positive line?
2) will HSV positive result affect my HIV result?
3) Is the pimple at my penis a sign of HSV ?
4) Am i consider conclusive for HIV Result? In Malaysia, a lot of GP recommend to have 6 month HIV test instead of 3 month which really confuse me.
5) Do i need to follow my GP to go for 6 month HIV test again?
6) I did some general treatment because of mild fever and some other sickness, will medication affect my HIV Result too?
7) Is there any window period for WB and it is reliable for negative result at week 4?
Please help me Dr, I'm so worry and confuse.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1) These results are almost identical to your earlier HSV test, which I commented about in my initial reply. You should not have any more HSV blood tests.
2) IgM is a different kind of antibody than IgG; the numerical results always are different. In theory, IgM indicates newer infection and IgG suggests longstanding infection. But in fact, IgM HSV testing is unreliable and you should ignore the results (you can use the search link to see other discussions of it). Anyway, your IgM results are negative.
3) There is no way to know whether your HSV-1 infection is oral or genital, but oral is much more common. And genital HSV-1 rarely recurs and is rarely transmitted sexually -- so it wouldn't matter much even if your infection were genital.
That will end this thread. Do your best to stop worrying about all this. You're fine. Best wishes.
2) IgM is a different kind of antibody than IgG; the numerical results always are different. In theory, IgM indicates newer infection and IgG suggests longstanding infection. But in fact, IgM HSV testing is unreliable and you should ignore the results (you can use the search link to see other discussions of it). Anyway, your IgM results are negative.
3) There is no way to know whether your HSV-1 infection is oral or genital, but oral is much more common. And genital HSV-1 rarely recurs and is rarely transmitted sexually -- so it wouldn't matter much even if your infection were genital.
That will end this thread. Do your best to stop worrying about all this. You're fine. Best wishes.
Hi Dr HHH , Please help me on my herpes test. As you mentioned above, a low positive I have on HSV 2 might be false. Below are my second test result, however, this time the interpretation is a bit different from my first test by using Novagnost Test (>11.5 U = Positive)
HSV 1 IGG - 12.0 U (Positive)
HSV 2 IGG - 1.0 U (Negative)
HSV 1 IGM - 3.1 U (Negative)
HSV 2 IGM - 4.0 U (Negative)
1) Is my second Herpes test reliable or should i go for another test?
2) Why the result for HSV 1 IGG & IGM is different? Aren't it suppose to be the same? Please help Dr.
3) Is there any possible to have genital herpes due to HSV 1?
Please advise Dr HHH. I'm so worry now
HSV 1 IGG - 12.0 U (Positive)
HSV 2 IGG - 1.0 U (Negative)
HSV 1 IGM - 3.1 U (Negative)
HSV 2 IGM - 4.0 U (Negative)
1) Is my second Herpes test reliable or should i go for another test?
2) Why the result for HSV 1 IGG & IGM is different? Aren't it suppose to be the same? Please help Dr.
3) Is there any possible to have genital herpes due to HSV 1?
Please advise Dr HHH. I'm so worry now
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hep C: Already answered, twice -- see my original reply (2-6) and the first sentence of my reply 2 days ago. And certainly there is no difference in HIV test performance or window period from one country to another.
That's all for this thread. Do your best to accept the reasoned, science-based reassurance I have tried to give you and move on with your life.
That's all for this thread. Do your best to accept the reasoned, science-based reassurance I have tried to give you and move on with your life.
Thanks dr . One last question . Will hep c infection delay or affect hiv result ? I tested hbsag negative but not sure about hep c . I read through online some stated that hep c somehow will delay seroconversion . It is true ? Is there any difference window period from malaysia compare to other country as I worry the reliable test is not advance compare to western country .
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There are no medications, treatments, or illnesses that have any effect whatsoever on HIV test timing or reliability, except theoretically (not proved) possibilities like immediately life-threatening conditions like overwhelming sepsis, terminal cancer, etc. Xrays have no effect.
Test results always overrule symptoms, no matter how typical for HIV the symptoms seem to be. There are no exceptions, and your test result proves HIV is not hte cause of the symptoms you describe. If they continue or you remain concerned about them, see a doctor or clinic. But it isn't HIV.
Test results always overrule symptoms, no matter how typical for HIV the symptoms seem to be. There are no exceptions, and your test result proves HIV is not hte cause of the symptoms you describe. If they continue or you remain concerned about them, see a doctor or clinic. But it isn't HIV.
Thank dr. I would like to add in missing point before I move on. I did a body checkup at week 2 where x ray is taken at my chest as part of the body check up process . Will this affect my hiv result at week 11++ as well ? I also did a rapid test at days 85 and it come back negative . However , I developed some fever , headache , muscle pain at the meantime and it goes off by 1 or 2 days with medicine treatment and also a yellowish tougue I have . Will this a symptom sign of hiv ?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You posted your question in the wrong forum, for persons who already are known to have HIV. It has now been moved to the correct forum.
You need not be at all worried. Your test results are reliable and prove you don't have HIV. The HIV blood tests are among the most reliable tests for any medical condition, if the test is done sufficiently long after the last possible exposure. And 3 months is always enough.
I will also add that the large majority of sex workers in Malaysia do not have HIV, so you probably were not exposed. Still, next time I hope you will use a condom. Why take even a small chance?
To your specific questions:
1) Probably you have HSV-1 -- just like most healthy people. Probably you do not have HSV-2; most low-positive results like yours are false.
2,6) Neither HSV, fever, other illnesses, nor the medicines you took have any effect on the HIV test.
3) Herpes usually does not cause a single pimple on the penis, but it is possible. If a similar lesion appears again, you should see a doctor or clinic promptly for accurate diagnosis.
4,5) Your negative HIV result is conclusive. With the modern HIV tests like you had, the result is always reliable within 6-8 weeks, and certainly by 3 months. It is never necessary to wait 6 months and you do not need another test. For more discussion, see this thread: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1704700.
7) The window period for WB has not been studied as carefully as other tests. But the combination of all your test results proves you are not infected.
I hope this has helped. Do your best to stop worrying about it.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You need not be at all worried. Your test results are reliable and prove you don't have HIV. The HIV blood tests are among the most reliable tests for any medical condition, if the test is done sufficiently long after the last possible exposure. And 3 months is always enough.
I will also add that the large majority of sex workers in Malaysia do not have HIV, so you probably were not exposed. Still, next time I hope you will use a condom. Why take even a small chance?
To your specific questions:
1) Probably you have HSV-1 -- just like most healthy people. Probably you do not have HSV-2; most low-positive results like yours are false.
2,6) Neither HSV, fever, other illnesses, nor the medicines you took have any effect on the HIV test.
3) Herpes usually does not cause a single pimple on the penis, but it is possible. If a similar lesion appears again, you should see a doctor or clinic promptly for accurate diagnosis.
4,5) Your negative HIV result is conclusive. With the modern HIV tests like you had, the result is always reliable within 6-8 weeks, and certainly by 3 months. It is never necessary to wait 6 months and you do not need another test. For more discussion, see this thread: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/1704700.
7) The window period for WB has not been studied as carefully as other tests. But the combination of all your test results proves you are not infected.
I hope this has helped. Do your best to stop worrying about it.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This forum is only for questions by persons already infected with HIV. I'll have the moderator move it to the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex forum and will respond there.
HHH, MD
HHH, MD
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