HSVI and II test- Potential false postive results?

Hello,

So i recently went in for a routine checkup and asked for a complete testing of all STDS.  My results were negative except for a HSV I IgG (2.20) and a HSV II IgG (2.61) which I was told were positive. I am 25 years old and decently knowledgable about the symptoms/presentation of both HSVI and II (I work as a clinical microbiologist). I have never had a cold sore or any other outbreak of any kind, and am very diligent in checking and observing to make sure. I was  under the impression that the first outbreak is usually by far the worst, and I have never had anything on my oral region or genitals to suggest infection. I am supposed to meet with the doctor again soon, and am wondering if it would be a good idea to ask for the University of Washington Western blot test that I have seen mentioned here before. I am under the impression that this doctor thinks that the IgG test unequivocally show I have herpes and that further testing would be unnecessary. My numbers would suggest that I fall in the 1.1- 3.5 range, is it possible that the IgG tests were incorrect and I should ask for the UW WB test? I am obviously freaking out and am now having psychosomatic issues wherein every little itch makes me think I really do have herpes, thank you for your help.

[mb1500]

bump

[gracefromHHP]

statistically 1 out of every 2-3 adults have hsv1 orally but only 20-40% of them ever get obvious cold sores to know it. you can actually thank mom and dad for the gene's that kept you from having obvious cold sores :)  

your hsv2 igg is a low positive and needs confirmed with further testing . the Wb is the best test for this is you can arrange for it.

stop back and let us know how your WB turned out :)

grace

[mb1500]

Update- Saw my doctor again today and mentioned my desire to get confirmatory testing either via the Biokit HSV2 assay or by Western blot. She was unaware of these tests and said that no one else has ever asked for any kind of follow up post-receipt of a low positive IgG result. She was helpful in trying to see if they would be able to send a sample to the University of Washington themselves, however it appears as if the contract they have with a laboratory center doesn't have the test as an option. I am going to go to Quest Diagnostics and get it done after I receive the doctor's order from my doctor (hopefully tomorrow morning!)

I have certainly been obsessing over this. I had a protected heterosexual intercourse experience with someone who told me they were checked out about 5 weeks ago. For at least the past few weeks I have been itching quite a bit around my anus, perineum, and inguinal region and have noted red irritation particularly around the anus. Fearing this was some kind of initial outbreak (despite the absence of any vesicles, blisters, weeping, etc. and no pain associated with the rash just itching) I was checked out by my doctor who said it looks to her like a yeast infection. She noted that there werent any noticeable/classical symptoms of herpes and prescribed me diflucan. Obviously this is a bit of a relief, since if this is the case I have not had any outbreaks either orally or genitally and I am holding out hope for a false positive confirmatory test for HSV2.

Also, I have not been able to find any locations (Quest diagnostics, planned parenthood) around me that have the HSV2 Biokit Rapid test. Any possible suggestions on how to find a provider for this?

[gracefromHHP]

encourage your providers to read the herpes info in the 2010 cdc std guidelines - tons of info there on the low positives and the need to confirm them that is important for them to know for their practice.

you can contact the biokit usa folks to see if anyone near you orders the kit from them. we don' t have any other way besides calling every single lab and clinic near you :(

[mb1500]

Hello, I wanted to provide an update.

I received the UW Western Blot test for HSV1 and HSV2 through Quest Diagnostics several weeks ago and just got an email back from my doctor with the results. It came back positive for HSV1 and NEGATIVE for HSV2!!! Obviously I am incredibly happy. Surprised somewhat by the positive HSV1 since like I said I've never had a cold sore, but your answer about having a genetic predisposition to not having them must be the case. I still have not had any classic symptoms of herpes , however I am going to likely get another WB test done in a few months just for further confirmation since I had a sexual encounter in a borderline timeframe. The yeast infection that I was diagnosed with has unfortunately lingered on though does appear to now be finally getting better, so I am assuming it would be quite unlikely for herpes symptoms to last as long in duration as this and that the diagnosis was correct. That being said, it is quite the relief to know that it is highly unlikely I have HSV2. I certainly plan to be much more diligent and conversationally open in any future sexual experiences regarding safe sex practices.

I wanted to thank you for the help and information, but most importantly the hope, that I received from viewing this site. I never would have known that there were other options for testing or the existence of false positive results requiring confirmatory testing had I not poured over the many posts on this forum as well as the other STD forums on this site. Thank you again!

[gracefromHHP]

congrats on getting better answers :)