HSV-2 Results

Hello.  I did an STD panel recently.  According to my doctor, I am positive for HSV-2 with a blood test for antibodies.  I talked to the lab, and they said my number came back as 1.13.  They said over 1.10 is positive.  I have never had any sort of symptoms at all.  Never had a rash or sores or anything except maybe a tiny itch, which could be anything.  The lab suggested getting retested since my number was so close to 1.10.  Is it possilble that I got a false positive? My girlfriend and I just got back together, and that's why I got tested.  I don't want to give her herpes, but am not totally convinced that I actually have it.

[scared86]

Well i had a similar question on my post. And GraceHHP mentioned that because I also had a low positive, 1.18, that I should get retested because only 20% of low positive results are truly postive.  So it is very possible that its a false positive, just get tested again. Im going to get tested next week, God willing.

[Jas333]

Thank you.  That is a bit assuring.  I guess I am starting to come to terms with the possibility that I have herpes.  It is interesting that you were told that 20% of low positives are false.  I am going to get re-tested too.  Let me know how things turn out for you and I will do the same.  Every time I get a headache, itch or anything like that, I am freaked out.  Doesn't mean it's the end of the world.  Seems alot of people have herpes.  

[daisy315]

I think anyone who says a cold sore is not contagious is ridiculously out of touch with life  :-/

Daisy

[jonasK]

"only 20% of low positive results are truly postive"

So 80% of low positives under the HerpeSelect IgG test are false positives?  What is the source of this?   Thanks.

[gracefromHHP]

This comes from  a study published awhile back  that looked at the false positive rate of the herpeselect test specifically.

You need additional testing. did you have any other partners while you and your gf were apart that prompted you to get tested? If so how long after those partners did you get tested?

grace

[gracefromHHP]

Also if you read our read before posting post, we ask if you just try to keep all your questions in the same post. Let's just keep going in this one instead of your newer one - thanks!

grace

[Jas333]

Yes, my gf and I split up for a few months about 1 1/2  years ago.  I had unprotected sex a couple of times, so that is why I had all my STDs tested.  I thought that Planned Parenthood gave me a herpes test with my HIV test, bug apparently they didn't, so I got tested by my doctor.  I got tested about a year after the last encounter I had with someone besides my gf.  That is when I had the IgG of 1.13.  I am going to get tested agaond at Quest and see if they can do a Western Blot.  They may not have it.  The test they did use for me before was the HerpesSelect Immunoassay w/Refl HSV-2, at 1.13. I have never noticed anything resembling herpes symptoms in the last year, or ever for that matter, so I thought that maybe the low positive could be false.  My gf got tested recently, and her doctor never called with any positive results.  We haven't had much sex in the last year and a half.  So, I will be going to the lab this week, and will let you know the outcome.  Thank you.

[Jas333]

Hello Grace,
First of all, thanks so much for your help. I just got results of my confirmatory HSV-2 test.  Came NEGATIVE!!!  Yay!  My IgG this time was 0.84.  The low positive of 1.13 I had before was false positive.  I wish doctors would thake this into consideration and suggest further testing for low posititves.  My doctor just told me that positive is positive.  I went through alot of turmoil- on the internet for hours, staying up at night worrying, breaking down to the point of tears- all for nothing.  It's really too bad that people go through this.  Thanks to you and this website, people can understand that it is worth getting retested.  

First test: IgG 1.13- low postitive
Second :  IgG 0.84- negative

I hope this encourages some people.

[Jas333]

Hello,
Did you ever get retested?  I had IgG of 1.13 the first time- low positive.  Two months later, retested again.  This time IgG was 0.84 negative.

[gracefromHHP]

Glad you followed up on my advice and pursued additional testing to get the answers you needed :)


encourage your provider to order up the $3 guide to herpes blood testing thru asha - http://www.ashastdwebstore.org/herpes-testing-toolkit.html  is the link they can order it thru. It's a GREAT educational tool that goes over the basics about herpes testing including info on the igm test and why it shouldn't be used as well as confirming low positives.

grace