False Positive??

[imtotallyconfused]

Ok...I had a STD screen done about a year ago just to make sure everything was ok, even though I've been using condoms religiously for years. Much to my shock and dismay, I was told I was positive for herpes. I wasn't told what type of herpes, just that i was positive. The doctor gave me no other advice about it besides saying "There is a chance of cross-over" (whatever the hell that means!), then just sent me on my way, dazed, confused, and scared to let anyone ever touch me again.

I have NEVER had any symptoms of herpes in my life. I have read up on the symptoms and I can say with all honesty, I haven't had any that were listed. The only thing I have noticed since being "diagnosed" is that I get a small reaction of the string of a tampon during my menses. But this is gone within a day or so after not using tampons.

Is it possible this was a false positive? If it helps, i do have herpes zoster permenantly in my cornea (since I was 13 y/o) from a HORRIBLE case of chicken pox.

Please, any help here would be greatly appreciated.

Signed,
Seriously Worried

[imtotallyconfused]

Yes, I believe that is my only choice at this point.

So, worst case scenario, if it comes back positive again, what am I to do about it? Like I've said before, i'm asymptomatic so how do I know when to avoid sex? I practice safe sex religiously when/if I ever do have relations. Do I need to take medication for the rest of my life to help avoid spreading it to someone else?

Thanks for your responses. :-)

[imtotallyconfused]

I had it a year ago and I've been stressing out about it ever since, not knowing what to do about it. I've done my own research about signs and symptoms and have come to the conclusion that I've not had any of the listed S/S. Plus, since I've had the test and have been asymptomatic for a whole year, I'm questioning the validity of the results.

At the time of the test, I felt my only choice was to accept the results as they were told to me; "You are positive for herpes". I wasn't told which type of herpes. And whenever I told the doctor that I've never had symptoms (besides the RARE coldsore when I was an adolescent ), I was told that there was a chance of "cross-over" (wtf does that mean??).

My reason for posting is that I was curious if anyone else has had such an experience and if there was such a thing as a false positive. And no, I don't know which type of test was used, only that it was a blood test. It was done at the local community clinic so maybe it was an older version of the test?? Would that make a difference?

Like I said, I don't know. :-(

[gracefromHHP]

I encourage you to follow up on this with additional confirmatory testing. Since the test you had done only is reported as + or -, you'll need a 2nd test done. A herpes biokit hsv2 test or a herpes western blot blood test would be appropriate at this point.

grace

[bostro]

An old boyfriend called and said he was positive for HSV1 and HSV2 on an IGG test.  He asked me whether or not there is a chance it could be a false positive?  He has only had sex with 5 people in his life and he is 45YO!!  He is positive for Lymes with symptoms but absolutely no symptoms of Herpes.  Is it possible it was false, ever??  He is devastated and now I need to be tested.   Please help..

[jonasK]

If this positive result was given to you a year ago, why are you now so worried and posting here?

I'm assuming they told you you tested positive for HSV-2.  If they really don't have the numeric result, it could be that they used the immunoblot test, which does not return a numeric result.  Do you even know if you had an IgG test (as opposed to the older IgM test)?

[imtotallyconfused]

They don't have any numeric results...?? They said it only comes back positive or negative. So, what does that mean??? Why are they being so vague about this? I think I will go and be tested again. I really don't like the fact of all the stress of getting retested but it's the only way I'll know for sure, unfortunately.

Thank you for your response; I appreciate it.

Signed,
imtotallyconfused

[gracefromHHP]

I can't really  help you unless you get your test results and post them here. Call the clinic monday and ask them to read them to you and then post them here. All I need is the actual numeric results - ie hsv1 igg 4.4 and hsv2 igg 3.4 or whatever they are. Once I know that info, I can better help you with all of this :)

grace