Just ask for a physical copy of the test results.
What you want, or what I think you should ask for, is the herpeselect test from Quest or the Captia test from LabCorp. These will give you numeric values. You want type specific IgG antibody testing.
Does that help?
Terri
Hi Terri,
I don't know.. my doctor started to get very frustrated with me when I asked questions, particularly about the numerical values (she said there were NO numerical values at all!) I remember her asking for a "type specific" IGG Herpes blood test, but that's it. I am going to see my PCP next week-can you tell me what test I could ask her to do for me so I can get to the bottom of this? Between this confusion and a potential exposure I have been worried about re: HIV, I have been a mess the last few weeks.
What lab did it? specifically
Terri
Thank you for your reply.
I just got off the phone with my doctor and she said that there were no number ranges. She said I had an IGG test and it says positive next to both HSV1 and HSV2. I did not have an IGM test because I was not having any symptoms/outbreak at the time.
She faxed over a copy if my results and all it says is HSV1 POS, HSV2 POS.
What do you think?
It is absolutely essential that you get a physical copy of your HSV test results. The numbers DO matter, definitely. There are some false positives in the low positive range (1.1 to 3.5). In fact, half the people who test positive in that range are false positives.
You need a very clear picture of where you stand with this situation, and frankly, I don't think you are getting good medical advice on this particular topic. If you would get a copy of your test results and post them exactly as you see them I will help you interpret them and determine if you need a confirmatory test.
If you are accurately positive for HSV 2, then you can shed virus (and do) when you do and don't have symptoms.
I hope you will quickly take charge of this situation and proactively work to sort this out. I will help you.
Terri
I ran out of space..
I appreciate any advice or guidance you could offer. Thank you.