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HSV testing results and questions

I recently had HSV 1 and 2 testing through a labcorp and the results were 1.07 Equivocal. They did not specify which one. Just one number was given with instructions to test again in 3 months and to test for 1 and 2 separately. I went through PrivateMDLabs and ordered the combined test thinking they would give both results. I was unaware that the results would not distinguish between the two types. So I'm unsure which type this is for. But there are some variables and reasons why I got tested as outlined:

I was having extreme kidney pain 3 weeks ago and went to a walk-in clinic. I was told I had a bad bladder infection and was put on antibiotics. I completed the 10 days of antibiotics and immediately got a yeast infection. I learned that a yeast infection can be caused by the imbalance from using the antibiotics. I had never had a yeast infection, rash or any type of outbreak in my life. It was accompanied by a sore in the rash so that is what sparked the interest in HSV testing although I read that sores can be accompanied by a yeast infection sometimes. I did research and learned that yeast infection rashes and HSV rashes are very similar but yeast infections would be cleared up with the proper medication and did not have a harsh smell while HSV rash needs special medication and would smell if a discharge was present. I used a 3 day monistat and everything was cleared up quickly and there was no odor at all associated with the infection. So even if HSV is present, this rash pointed in the direction of simply being a yeast infection.

I have been with the same partner for the past 5-6 months and he is negative for any STDs. I was tested last August and was negative for any STDs. Here are my questions:

1) If I was exposed to HSV 6- 9 months ago, would I have a more accurate, confirmed positive at this point? I am not aware that I was exposed and was told by previous partners that they did not carry any STDs.

2) Can a yeast infection cause a false increase in HSV testing results? I had the blood testing done while I was still treating the yeast infection. I've read a lot about false positives in basic blood tests and people needing to be tested 2, 3, 4 or more times before getting a confirmed negative or positive. And with a low result, only 10% or so actually tested positive in the end.

Thanks!

Best Answer
101028 tn?1419603004
odds are that neither you nor your partner were properly tested for herpes as part of your routine std testing. you both will need to look into that to have a better idea of what is going on.

no more self treating of anything that goes on in the genital area either at this point. you don't get odor with discharge from herpes either.  

be seen if you get more symptoms for a proper exam and proper testing for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally.  

the testing you had done for herpes was entirely the wrong testing :(  sounds like they did the typical non-type specific testing that is labcorps default testing and since it was negative, did no further testing. I would not use this resource for any further herpes testing since they are not utilizing the best testing for you.  

grace
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101028 tn?1419603004
I'd get your partner tested at this point and based on his results, that will determine when you need to test next, if at all.

if you can get the right testing done you can use them . labcorp is a reputable lab.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the advice. We are both going to get retested with the proper testing. Do I need to wait 4-6 weeks to test again for specific types like the labcorp test suggested or is it ok to retest right away since it was a useless test anyways?

Is it ok to go through PrivateMDLabs again and get the type specific tests or should we use a different source altogether?
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Avatar universal
Does anyone else have comments regarding the equivocal result I got and the chances of hsv?
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Avatar universal
The yeast infection was self-diagnosed based on the symptoms and the Monistat working as expected.
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Avatar universal
1. Nearly everyone seroconverts after 6-9 months, so if you were positive, it's likely that you would show a stronger positive at this point. That said, you should probably follow up with type-specific testing, just to be certain. Did you have your rash/yeast infection diagnosed by a practioner or were you self-diagnosing?

2. No, a yeast infection would not affect the tests in any way.
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