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CONFUSED! No symptoms, but two consecutive low-positive HerpeSelect HSV-2 results. What now???
First of all... here are my test results: HerpeSelect IGG
11/03/2010 HSV-I 3.28 HSV- II 2.26
11/15/2010 HSV-I 4.07 HSV- II 3.00
The earlier of the tests was part of a full STD Screening done at LabCorp and ordered through stdtestexpress.com. The second test was done at a different LabCorp location and also ordered through stdtestexpresscom. The second test was only for HSV after getting the low positive result.
I am a 41 year old male. This all started because my girlfriend got her first cold sore recently. I remember having a cold sore at sometime in my youth, but it has never been a reoccurring problem, and not something I had thought about for years. But seeing her so upset about this made me want to know exactly what is going on with my sexual health. I got a physical last year which included what I thought was a complete STD screening, and was told I was STD free. I called my doctor to inquire about what I was tested for and was surprised to find out that herpes was not included in this test! I had a physical a few years earlier and was told the same thing. Now I realize that I had never been tested for HSV!
I have NEVER had any genital outbreaks. But I have had unprotected sex over the years with partners who were also under the impression they were STD free. Now I realize that none of us had any guarantee of this without specific testing. I did have a period in my early 30s of sleeping around, but I always used condoms.
So I am confused about these results. Even on the stdtestexpress.com site, they consider anything under 3.5 a low-positive. Since I have received 2 separate low-positive HSV 2 results, should i STILL get retested with the Western Blot or BioKit? Or is this just wishful thinking?
And if I do want to get the WB or the Biokit, how do I go about this? I can't seem to find out anything about how to actually get these tests done. Do I have to have these ordered by an MD?
Confused, scared...but still want to be sure.
11/03/2010 HSV-I 3.28 HSV- II 2.26
11/15/2010 HSV-I 4.07 HSV- II 3.00
The earlier of the tests was part of a full STD Screening done at LabCorp and ordered through stdtestexpress.com. The second test was done at a different LabCorp location and also ordered through stdtestexpresscom. The second test was only for HSV after getting the low positive result.
I am a 41 year old male. This all started because my girlfriend got her first cold sore recently. I remember having a cold sore at sometime in my youth, but it has never been a reoccurring problem, and not something I had thought about for years. But seeing her so upset about this made me want to know exactly what is going on with my sexual health. I got a physical last year which included what I thought was a complete STD screening, and was told I was STD free. I called my doctor to inquire about what I was tested for and was surprised to find out that herpes was not included in this test! I had a physical a few years earlier and was told the same thing. Now I realize that I had never been tested for HSV!
I have NEVER had any genital outbreaks. But I have had unprotected sex over the years with partners who were also under the impression they were STD free. Now I realize that none of us had any guarantee of this without specific testing. I did have a period in my early 30s of sleeping around, but I always used condoms.
So I am confused about these results. Even on the stdtestexpress.com site, they consider anything under 3.5 a low-positive. Since I have received 2 separate low-positive HSV 2 results, should i STILL get retested with the Western Blot or BioKit? Or is this just wishful thinking?
And if I do want to get the WB or the Biokit, how do I go about this? I can't seem to find out anything about how to actually get these tests done. Do I have to have these ordered by an MD?
Confused, scared...but still want to be sure.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I am out of the country for a week, but I can recommend that you become a patient of the clinic and speak with Sheryl Horwitz in my office. She should be able to order a western blot for you. Our website is westoverheights.com and that will give you contact info for the clinic. I hope this works out well for you. Let me know if you have other issues. I will be checking the board periodically.
Terri
Terri
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yikes. This is so frustrating, I know. Your doctor has a lot of misinformation about herpes. Let me give you a reference. http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_toolkit/compare.cfm
It is very important to know the type - HSV 1 or HSV 2. Your physician is wrong.
LabCorp does also offer this test.
If you can't arrange to get the testing done, you can become a phone client of our clinic and we will order it for you.
Terri
It is very important to know the type - HSV 1 or HSV 2. Your physician is wrong.
LabCorp does also offer this test.
If you can't arrange to get the testing done, you can become a phone client of our clinic and we will order it for you.
Terri
Thanks for all the help Terri.
I agree. I think it's best for both of us to know for sure, and that is indeed the best place to start.
Have a great holiday.
I agree. I think it's best for both of us to know for sure, and that is indeed the best place to start.
Have a great holiday.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
That's got to be up to you. I wish I could help you with that, but only you can decide how much you would worry about this if you didn't ask her to be tested. How about if she checks with her provider who did the STD testing and see if herpes was included? I think that's the best place to start. If it wasn't, I would think SHE would want to be tested.
Terri
Terri
Terri,
I have been in a monogamous relationship with my girlfriend for almost 3 years. She believes she is completely STD free. But honestly I do not know if she has ever been tested SPECIFICALLY for HSV. The blood was drawn for my Western Blot on Nov 30th.
I am not positive of the specific date, but I do know that we did not have sex for at least 6 weeks before that. She has never had any symptoms or outbreaks. She has told me that she has only had sex with 3 men she was in previous monogamous relationships with.
Before telling her about all of this and causing her an extreme amount of anxiety, I wanted to know for sure what my status was, hoping that the Western Blot could determine this. I found out the results of my Captiva test the day before leaving for a 3 week trip...and spent those three weeks very nervous and scared, and also doing a lot of learning about herpes and herpes testing, thanks to you and this forum. So luckily we were apart while I was going through this. Now that I am home and have my Western Blot results, I suppose that I now need to know if she has ever been tested specifically for HSV. Do you think that I should now ask her to be tested? And If so, should we go straight to the Western Blot to avoid this scenario of anxiety from a possible false-positive? I don't want to cause her the extreme anxiety I was feeling if it is unnecessary. I know that several years ago she ended a relationship with someone she really liked because he was HSV2 positive. They were never physically involved. She is very concerned about STDs, and I know that it will be an intense process for her to go through testing. Do you think it is necessary?
thank you.
I have been in a monogamous relationship with my girlfriend for almost 3 years. She believes she is completely STD free. But honestly I do not know if she has ever been tested SPECIFICALLY for HSV. The blood was drawn for my Western Blot on Nov 30th.
I am not positive of the specific date, but I do know that we did not have sex for at least 6 weeks before that. She has never had any symptoms or outbreaks. She has told me that she has only had sex with 3 men she was in previous monogamous relationships with.
Before telling her about all of this and causing her an extreme amount of anxiety, I wanted to know for sure what my status was, hoping that the Western Blot could determine this. I found out the results of my Captiva test the day before leaving for a 3 week trip...and spent those three weeks very nervous and scared, and also doing a lot of learning about herpes and herpes testing, thanks to you and this forum. So luckily we were apart while I was going through this. Now that I am home and have my Western Blot results, I suppose that I now need to know if she has ever been tested specifically for HSV. Do you think that I should now ask her to be tested? And If so, should we go straight to the Western Blot to avoid this scenario of anxiety from a possible false-positive? I don't want to cause her the extreme anxiety I was feeling if it is unnecessary. I know that several years ago she ended a relationship with someone she really liked because he was HSV2 positive. They were never physically involved. She is very concerned about STDs, and I know that it will be an intense process for her to go through testing. Do you think it is necessary?
thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I would definitely believe the western blot test. The only thing I'm not completely clear about is the last possible time you could have been infected with HSV 2 in comparison to when you had the western blot test done. Can you clarify?
Terri
Terri
That's great news good luck I think your in the clear. God bless.
thanks dumbone.
I am feeling good about the result, but am still looking forward to hearing from Terri about what she thinks. I really feel like I've been down the rabbit hole with all of this. So before I start high-fiving myself, I'm going to wait and see what she says.
The Western Blot seems to be highly trusted. So for the moment I am somewhat relieved.
Cheers.
I am feeling good about the result, but am still looking forward to hearing from Terri about what she thinks. I really feel like I've been down the rabbit hole with all of this. So before I start high-fiving myself, I'm going to wait and see what she says.
The Western Blot seems to be highly trusted. So for the moment I am somewhat relieved.
Cheers.
WOW!!! Congrats!!!! Im soo happy for you!!! Celebrate and be happy!!!
Terri,
first of all I want to say thank you to the folks at the Westover clinic for answering my questions on the phone about the Western Blot when I was trying to determine how to order it. Everyone I spoke to there was very helpful and courteous. Eventually I was able to convince my doctor here in Chicago to order it for me.
I just got my results from the Western Blot.
The results state:
Western Blot Results:
Positive for antibody to HSV-1 by Western Blot.
Negative for antibody to HSV-2.
Interpretation:
Evidence of Past infection with HSV-1.
NOTE: Seroconversion to HSV-2 may take 12-16 weeks especially if antiviral therapy was given. If first episode HSV-2 infection is suspected, we suggest a repeat specimen be sent in 12-16 weeks. Please indicate that the second specimen is a "convalescent" specimen so that the two specimens can be run together.
I think this is good news, but before I start celebrating, I just wanted to submit these to you an get your reaction. Especially after my two Captiva tests that were positive for HSV-2 at 2.6 and 3.0 respectively.
Thank you.
first of all I want to say thank you to the folks at the Westover clinic for answering my questions on the phone about the Western Blot when I was trying to determine how to order it. Everyone I spoke to there was very helpful and courteous. Eventually I was able to convince my doctor here in Chicago to order it for me.
I just got my results from the Western Blot.
The results state:
Western Blot Results:
Positive for antibody to HSV-1 by Western Blot.
Negative for antibody to HSV-2.
Interpretation:
Evidence of Past infection with HSV-1.
NOTE: Seroconversion to HSV-2 may take 12-16 weeks especially if antiviral therapy was given. If first episode HSV-2 infection is suspected, we suggest a repeat specimen be sent in 12-16 weeks. Please indicate that the second specimen is a "convalescent" specimen so that the two specimens can be run together.
I think this is good news, but before I start celebrating, I just wanted to submit these to you an get your reaction. Especially after my two Captiva tests that were positive for HSV-2 at 2.6 and 3.0 respectively.
Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
OK
Terri
Terri
Thank you so much.
Will call her tomorrow morning.
Best.
Will call her tomorrow morning.
Best.
Terri,
I think I would like to become a phone client to arrange this test. My doctor is remaining silent and I would like to do this sooner than later.
What is the next step?
Thanks for your help.
I think I would like to become a phone client to arrange this test. My doctor is remaining silent and I would like to do this sooner than later.
What is the next step?
Thanks for your help.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You too.
Terri
Terri
Thank you Terri.
It might come down to that, and I will let you know if it is necessary.
Have a good holiday.
It might come down to that, and I will let you know if it is necessary.
Have a good holiday.
Hi Terri,
Well I went to my doctor today and he was reluctant to order the WB test. Said he had never heard of it, couldn't find it in the Quest catalog, etc. I even gave him the test number. He said he would do some research and get back to me. Said that after ding some digging that Lab Corp seems to offer the same test? Now I am totally confused.
He said he would order the test for me if I could somehow show him that it would be benificial. He is of the attitiude that there's not much difference between HSV1 and 2 these days with the popularity or oral sex. That all this test will determine is maybe whether the antibodies present are HSV1 or 2, but not whether or not I am "infectious." After explaining that this is exactly what I want to know (whether the anitbodies are HSV1 or 2), he still seemed skeptical, and wants me to forward him something that will illustrate the benifits of having the test done.
So frustrating. I just want to get the test done.
best,
19690621
Well I went to my doctor today and he was reluctant to order the WB test. Said he had never heard of it, couldn't find it in the Quest catalog, etc. I even gave him the test number. He said he would do some research and get back to me. Said that after ding some digging that Lab Corp seems to offer the same test? Now I am totally confused.
He said he would order the test for me if I could somehow show him that it would be benificial. He is of the attitiude that there's not much difference between HSV1 and 2 these days with the popularity or oral sex. That all this test will determine is maybe whether the antibodies present are HSV1 or 2, but not whether or not I am "infectious." After explaining that this is exactly what I want to know (whether the anitbodies are HSV1 or 2), he still seemed skeptical, and wants me to forward him something that will illustrate the benifits of having the test done.
So frustrating. I just want to get the test done.
best,
19690621
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, you should be able to access Quest labs in your state.
Terri
Terri
I am living in Chicago.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, you should have a western blot. This can be ordered through Quest labs, but probably not online. Can you get your own private health care provider to order this test for you? If yes, the Quest code is 34534. This would be the easiest way to get this done since no online provider that I know of orders this test.
Honestly, though, if you have a value in the range of 3.0, I think you should be prepared to test positive by western blot. The closer the value of the ELISA IgG is to 3.5, the more likely you are to confirm by a second test. I would go for the western blot vs. the Biokit.
Where do you live?
Terri
Honestly, though, if you have a value in the range of 3.0, I think you should be prepared to test positive by western blot. The closer the value of the ELISA IgG is to 3.5, the more likely you are to confirm by a second test. I would go for the western blot vs. the Biokit.
Where do you live?
Terri
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
