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Chances of a false positive?
In mid-April, I had a HerpeSelect igg test come back positive for HSV-2 with a value of 2.52 (which, from what I understand, is considered a "low positive" value), and I am wondering what the chances are that this is a false positive. I have never had any kind of outbreak, and I have only had penetrative sex with one partner. Here is a summary of my sexual history:
From May 2009-April 2014, I was in a serious, long-term relationship. This was my first relationship. My boyfriend and I never had penetrative sex, but we did have oral sex. (After I got my results, he got tested and his test came back negative for HSV-2.)
In November of 2014, before I decided to rejoin the dating pool, I had a series of STD tests done, and they all came back negative (including a test for HSV-2)
In March of 2015, I had sex for the first time. After I got my test results in April, this partner also got tested and his test was also negative for HSV-2.
So, the two men I have had the most sexual contact with are both negative for HSV-2. However, between November and February, I did have experiences with two different men where we fooled around. Each of those experiences was a one time only affair. In those instances, oral sex was involved, but there was no penetrative sex. Given the one-time-only nature of those interactions, I highly doubt I'll be able to get test results from those men.
Right now, I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I should tell future partners. As I said, I have not had any kind of outbreak, so I am having difficulty believing that I actually have HSV-2. Is there any way to know what the chances are that my results are a false positive?
From May 2009-April 2014, I was in a serious, long-term relationship. This was my first relationship. My boyfriend and I never had penetrative sex, but we did have oral sex. (After I got my results, he got tested and his test came back negative for HSV-2.)
In November of 2014, before I decided to rejoin the dating pool, I had a series of STD tests done, and they all came back negative (including a test for HSV-2)
In March of 2015, I had sex for the first time. After I got my test results in April, this partner also got tested and his test was also negative for HSV-2.
So, the two men I have had the most sexual contact with are both negative for HSV-2. However, between November and February, I did have experiences with two different men where we fooled around. Each of those experiences was a one time only affair. In those instances, oral sex was involved, but there was no penetrative sex. Given the one-time-only nature of those interactions, I highly doubt I'll be able to get test results from those men.
Right now, I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I should tell future partners. As I said, I have not had any kind of outbreak, so I am having difficulty believing that I actually have HSV-2. Is there any way to know what the chances are that my results are a false positive?
Yes I know, they take phone patients and are very adept at organizing the Westernblot US wide.
This stands a very large chance of being a false positive. Please consider the Westernblot to confirm, become a phone patient of Westover Heights Clinic if you can afford the cost.
The two partners that have been tested had negative IgG tests. The tests came back negative for HSV-2 (and negative for HSV-1 as well, although that doesn't really matter here since I am also negative for HSV-1).
My doctor has the attitude that if my blood test came back positive, then I have Herpes...end of story. I asked him about the Western Blot test, and he'd never heard of it. I also tried asking at the hospital, and I found out that the Quest Diagnostics labs in PA no longer perform the Western Blot test even though there is a code for it on their website.
My doctor indicated that he believed I could have picked up HSV-2 from one of the partners I had one-night-only experiences with. I had oral sex with those partners (both giving and receiving). I should also mention that there was some genital to genital contact while we were naked and kissing, but no penetrative sex.
I'll admit...I'm a bit unclear on the level of contact required for a person to pass along this virus. None of the people that I had intimate experiences with had any visible rash.
My doctor has the attitude that if my blood test came back positive, then I have Herpes...end of story. I asked him about the Western Blot test, and he'd never heard of it. I also tried asking at the hospital, and I found out that the Quest Diagnostics labs in PA no longer perform the Western Blot test even though there is a code for it on their website.
My doctor indicated that he believed I could have picked up HSV-2 from one of the partners I had one-night-only experiences with. I had oral sex with those partners (both giving and receiving). I should also mention that there was some genital to genital contact while we were naked and kissing, but no penetrative sex.
I'll admit...I'm a bit unclear on the level of contact required for a person to pass along this virus. None of the people that I had intimate experiences with had any visible rash.
This does sound like a false positive. This will need to be confirmed though and it is best to obtain a Westernblot if you can. Speak to your doctor, call Westover Heights Clinic or look at the UofW website for more details.
There is no practical chance of a HSV2 infection from oral sex.
When you say negative tests, are you sure these partners had negative IgG for HSV2?
Anyways there is over a 50% chance of a false negative here.
There is no practical chance of a HSV2 infection from oral sex.
When you say negative tests, are you sure these partners had negative IgG for HSV2?
Anyways there is over a 50% chance of a false negative here.
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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.
