Diagnosed with HSV 2 but score is low

[cslpon]

Recently, I went to my OBGYN and did a full STD scan. She blood tested me with the type specific ELISA test for HSV.  The results came back positive for HSV-2, but it was low (1.53).  I've never had any symptoms of HSV-2, but I've had HSV-1 for as long as I can remember.  Is it possible this could have led to a false positive for HSV-2?  Just wondering if I should request the test again, or maybe a different one?

[cslpon]

okay, thank you so much for responding.  i definitely should have clarified in the original comment but it has been four months since i hooked up with someone - and we definitely used protection.  i'll ask my doctor about the western blot test.

[gracefromHHP]

The best thing to do is to wait at least 4 months after the last time you had sex and seek out a herpes WB ( western blot ) blood test to confirm your status.  If your provider uses quest labs, it's test #34534. it's a send out to the U of washington from every quest lab so if your local lab is having a hard time finding it, encourage them to call and find out how to send it because it is available through them.

indeed your result is a low positive and needs confirmed with further testing. if your provider is unaware of this, encourage them to read the 2010 CDC herpes guidelines which spells out very nicely the low positive issues and how to deal with them.

grace