Confusing Results - HSV2

About two weeks ago I had unprotected sex with a new partner. Afterwards he was tested for STD's and his first IGg blood test came back positive for HSV-1 and 2. He has never had any symptoms that he has noticed and his last new partner before me was 3+ years ago. He went to another clinic and got retested. Same test - both places say they did the IGg - second result is negative. Now we don't know what to do or which to believe. Neither gave him numerical values - he's going to call for those today. He will more than likely retest at the second clinic so another IGg - can we trust best out of 3? What is the likelihood of false positive vs. false negative? The tests were taken two days apart and like I said, a long time has passed since his last partner before me. As for me, if he is positive, what is the likelihood that I contracted HSV-2 on one unprotected encounter? It's been 2 weeks and I have not noticed anything specific. I think any "symptopms" have been paranoia. Is it too soon for me to get tested?

[worriedgirl678]

Just to follow up - he called for numerical results. First place said positive for both - HSV-2 value at 1.6. Second place said positive only for ! - HSV-2 value at 0.02! ?!?

[Still_Worried_]

1.6 is a low positive and is very likely a false positive, especially since his subsequent test was negative.

If you want further confirmation, he can have a Biokit or Western Blot performed, but it is very unlikely he is truly positive.

[worriedgirl678]

Hi everyone - if anyone can give any advice I would appreciate it. So he had a 3rd IGg test - now this result is a 1.2. The doctor cannot give him any explanation for the low positives or the vastly differing results. He is looking into Western Blot but cannot find anyone who offers it. Can any doctor order this for you? He doesn't have a primary but maybe one of the places he went for his tests can order it.

Does anyone know why someone would have 3 IGg tests positive for HSV-1 but HSV-2 results of 1.6, 0.02 and 1.2? Can the HSV-1 be affecting these results? The doctor said even he wouldn't consider him definitively positive unless he was 3.5 or higher, but he still wants to know what to do and how to know because he has to decide if he needs to tell future partners, etc.

I also am trying to figure out how worried I should be about this inconclusive results and 1 time unprotected sex. What are the chances I have contracted HSV-2? At this time, no major symptoms. Some itching but I am also PMS'ing and get itchy sometimes anyway. No bumps. Sorry for the rambling but we are trying to figure this out!

[gracefromHHP]

we don't know exactly why low positives happen but they do.

at this point you need tested to see what your status is. You two need to cover all the bases so make sure that you don't have hsv2 and recently transmitted it to him. If you test negative for hsv2, totally up to him if he wants to pursue confirmatory testing. It's most likely he's really negative for hsv2 to be honest.  

grace

[worriedgirl678]

Just some additional info. His first positive test was 3-4 days after we had sex. So it seems unlikely I infected him, although I guess not impossible. I am going to get a full panel within the next couple of weeks to be sure of everything. I was just waiting for a little time to pass so I could have more definitive results.  any idea how we find someone to do a wb or biokit? We are in NYC but the doc didn't mention it and google is no help. Thanks so much.

[gracefromHHP]

you can get the biokit easier in NYC than the herpes WB from what I've been told. check around to see who offers it.

[worriedgirl678]

Just an update - found a doctor to do the biokit today in NYC and it came back negative! I am assuming we can now feel pretty confident this is accurate, correct?

Good advice to anyone with conflicting, confusing, or low-positive results - get it rechecked!

[gracefromHHP]

congrats! glad you were able to get better answers :)

grace