False Positive HSV-1

[JSamson]

I had an exposure in July. It was a handjob. No sex (Oral/Intercourse). I was a bit nervous so I got tested in August, September and October. All tests negative. I retested again in November. This time I came back positive for HSV-1 (IGG 1.30). All other numerical values (HSV-1, HSV-2) prior to this test were below .5. My question is: What is the likelyhood of a false positive given I had tested negative before and the only contact I have had in the past year is a few handjobs? The test was a HerpesSelect IGG.  

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Its difficult to say exactly what happened with your testing.  You actually didn't have an exposure in July, you had a handjob which is not an exposure to the possibility of a sexually transmitted infection.  There was absolutely no reason to test.  However, now that you have, we need to try to sort this out.  There are basically two possibilities:
1) the 1.3 is a false positive (it is in that low positive range that is suspect)
2) you have HSV 1 (but more likely oral herpes) and the test is having difficulty picking it up.  The test officially misses about 1 out 10 cases of HSV 1.  
If you've not had intercourse nor received oral sex in your lifetime, then you don't need to worry at all about having genital HSV 1.  
If you want more clarification about your HSV 1 status, you could get a western blot test through Quest labs (code 34534).  It is more sensitive for HSV 1 than the ELISA.
But again, you have no worries whatsoever about this particular incident.

Terri

[san101]

A related discussion, HSV 1 false positive? was started.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

That sounds more correct, yes.

Terri

[JSamson]

Thanks. I'll seek out a Western Blot. The BioKit was only for HSV-2. The HSV-1 test was from another company, not HerpesSelect.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

You can learn that someone isn't giving you the correct information if someone told you that Biokit tests for HSV 1 - it only tests for HSV 2.  And I stand by my position that you need a herpes western blot for clarification.

Terri

[JSamson]

I wanted to report a follow up to my dilemma. I had the HerpesSelect IGG run again 2 days after my 1.3 positive result from the same test. It came back negative for both 1 and 2. I also had another type of IGG herpes test run. A BioKit HSV-2 and a HSV-1 test from another company (not sure the name). They also both came back negative. What can I learn from these new results?  

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

You're welcome

Terri

[JSamson]

Thanks

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

No, you can't get HSV from using a public toilet nor a handjob.  The chances of getting HSV 1 from a drinking glass is also incredibly low if not non-existent.  It stuns me that your doctor would tell you such a thing.  Ask your doctor if he can use Quest labs.  If he/she can, then use the test code number that I gave you if you want it done.

Terri

[JSamson]

Thank you for your quick reply. I am married and am only having sex with my wife. I had 3 other partners before her and she has had other partners before me. Neither of us have a history of cold sores. I tested negative three years ago for HSV-1 and HSV-2 at another doctor with a test that was not HerpesSelect. Not sure the name. I have never had any symptoms orally or genitally. I asked my doctor today about the Western Blot and he said they don't offer it. I hit the net but couldn't find a doctor that offers that test. My doctor told me you can get HSV-1 from the environment (i.e., drinking after someone who has it, using a public toilet). That goes against all that you guys here at MedHelp stand for I believe. What is the truth? Can you get HSV 1 or 2 from a handjob? From the environment?