HSV2 IGG Low positive/no symptoms/unreliable lab

got tested a Type Specific IGG test in the U.S and was negative for HSV 2 IGG. I am currently out of the country and took an hsv 1 and 2 test for igm/igg. The test came back positive for igg and inconclusive for igm. Since  I don't have any symptoms for either hsv 1 or 2. The doctor reassured me that the test was positive for hsv1. But I being a perfectionist I couldnt just lie back and relax knowing my test came back POSITIVE. I was told that an igm/igg testing is usually unreliable. So i paid about 200 more dollars and asked for to be tested ONLY IGG. So they did the testing and now it came back POSITIVE FOR BOTH. HSV 1 iggwas 2.4 and HSV 2igg  was 1.4. I was shocked and speechless. I have never had any symptoms.NONE. Not even an inkling..a minut dot spot..what not. So my question is...is this a false positive? The testing was not Elisa or WesternBlot. Im in *** and the testing was done at some local laboratory. Im stressed out and tired of crying. Please help.I will not be back in america for a good...year?

[gracefromHHP]

Most adults have hsv1 whether they can recall obvious cold sores or not.  Not too surprising that you are testing + for hsv1.

Your hsv2 igg is once again a low positive.  It's most likely that you don't have hsv2 but it's best to err on the side of caution and follow up on that at some point. Sorry but I have no idea what testing would be available where you are at as far as confirming it.

grace

[Seattle5545]

When gettin a type speicific hsv1 testing along with an hsv2 testing...does this usually result in the hsv2 being low positive?
If I were to have gotten a hsv2 testing ALONE. would it have probably been negative since the hsv1 wouldnt .'counteract' and result in a low positive?
Or if hsv1 is in my blood...regardless if i do both testing or just hsv2..would the hsv2 always come out low positive due to having hsv1 already?
HOW DOES AND WHY DOES IT COME OUT LOW POSITIVE...is basically my question?
Also, I took a test and it came out negative for hsv2 but why all of a sudden is it 1.4...low positive. Is it wishful thinking to be low positive and actually be negative?
Does this happen often?
I have a 2.4 for hsv1 and a 1.4 for hsv2.
They are both low positives.....do I HAVE BOTH but just on low levels????
Or do I HAVE NEITHER..SINCE Theyre both' low positives' AND I HAVE NO SYMPTOMS OR EITHER.
If you have a true low positive result for hsv...does it mean that the person will have symptoms and outbreaks to a lesser extreme? or does everyone with herpes experience this excruciating blistery bubbly flu like pain regardless of the outcome..i.e a 3.7 will experience the same pain as a 5.0????

Please help and try to answer at least some of my questions. Thanks so much!!!

[Seattle5545]

hi grace. what are the symptoms of herpes like. and do most people see symptoms right away? i havent had any symptoms let alone the symptoms/pictures i see online.
let me know thanks

[gracefromHHP]

They do the tests separately whether you order just a hsv1 test or if you order hsv1 and hsv2 to both be done off the same blood sample.

No difference in the severity of ob's whether you are hsv2+ with a 3.7 or a >5.

Most folks who have genital herpes have no idea they that they are infected until tested. Only about 20% of them are truly asymptomatic - the other 80% just aren't realizing just how mild ob's can be to recognize symptoms of the virus being active.

grace

[Seattle5545]

hey grace.what is ob's? and also what are the symptoms like? When gettin a type speicific hsv1 testing along with an hsv2 testing...does this usually result in the hsv2 being low positive?
If I were to have gotten a hsv2 testing ALONE. would it have probably been negative since the hsv1 wouldnt .'counteract' and result in a low positive?
Or if hsv1 is in my blood...regardless if i do both testing or just hsv2..would the hsv2 always come out low positive due to having hsv1 already?
HOW DOES AND WHY DOES IT COME OUT LOW POSITIVE...is basically my question?
Also, I took a test and it came out negative for hsv2 but why all of a sudden is it 1.4...low positive. Is it wishful thinking to be low positive and actually be negative?
Does this happen often?
I have a 2.4 for hsv1 and a 1.4 for hsv2.
They are both low positives.....do I HAVE BOTH but just on low levels????
Or do I HAVE NEITHER..SINCE Theyre both' low positives' AND I HAVE NO SYMPTOMS OR EITHER.

[Seattle5545]

so basically since i have hsv1 ...supposedly. since it came out 2.4 positive. is this the reason why hsv2 came out low positive? 1.4? what are the chances that i have it? i have no symptoms. so im confused. should i get retested? what are the chances itll be false positive?  why do results come out low positive? do alot of people have their faulty results? is there a chance i have neither since their both low positives? please help

[gracefromHHP]

I'm not sure how else I can put it so that it's clearer. Please reread my replies again.


Ob's = outbreaks.

grace

[Seattle5545]

i reread. how and why do people get low positives? is it due to hsv1 exisin in ur blood ?and do people that have low positives usually get  a false positive? like whats the percentage? i heard80 % of the time its false positive

[Seattle5545]

also can i not participate in other members questions? posts?

[gracefromHHP]

Yes it's very likely to be a false positive but I'm not comfortable with telling folks to assume that and recommend further testing to be sure in case you are one of hte 20% who that is a true positive for.  I have no other ideas for you testing wise since you aren't in the US - you'll need to consult someone who is knowledgeable about herpes testing options in your area.

Yes you can participate in any discussion you want. I see you responded in a post from back in May last year though. The reality is most folks just come here for their issue and then don't stop back frequently, if at all. If there is a particular person you wanted to talk to, you are better off sending them a private message and hope they still log on to medhelp periodically to get it.  

grace

[Seattle5545]

i was told that a certain thread i responded tobelonged to a certain member and that its best i respond on the herpes forum. but anywayz thanks grace!

[Seattle5545]

Hey grace,
So im literally dying knowing i have a 1.4 hsv2 and 2.4 hsv1 positive igg.  Im told that its a false positive but at the same time its so vague its driving me crazy. again i never had any symptoms. i mean im analyzin over and over again. are symptoms like a pimple on ur genital? again the testin was done in *** and i dont wanna get another testin bc it;l prob be the same. so should i get a paps? since i dont have any lesions or anything would the testing still show up with hsv? i heard that genital testin is rarely false positive.
do u think its  agood idea i get checked down there even though i dont have any symptoms? would it be accurate? i dont knwo what to do