Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Herpes igg test results

I went to my doctor for an annual physical. I just got my blood test results back. Under the Herpes Igg section, it states:

Hsv1 igg<0.0 on a scale of 0.0 to 0.9
Hsv2 igg 0.7 on a scale of 0.0 to 0.9

I tried looking on the forum for answers before I asked my question, but found none.

I never seen a "<0.0" score before.. I understand that I am negative, but I do know there is usually a number greater than this (such as 0.13 from last year's test). I just want to be certain if this is common or did the lab miss the testing for hsv1 igg..

7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
This makes a lot more sense now. Thanks again for your help!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The test involves mixing your blood serum into a testing well with antigen and a color enzyme. There is also a testing well that is the control that is also prepared with a special sample that is defined as one. The ratio of color density of your sample to the control sample is the result.

The control levels within the test are different, there are a small amount of manual processes involving the serum and adding it to the wells, the amount of enzyme color that naturally sticks along with some unrelated proteins in your blood all mean that numbers will fluctuate from test to test for a person negative for antibodies.

As such anything less than the control sample is a negative. Remember most people who are infected test a clear positive with color ratios in excess of 5.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry, but I forgot one last question. Based on my research on the forums, i have learned that the numbers fluctuating between blood tests are meaningless, but why? Last year, I had a 0.13 & 0.27 for hsv1 and hsv2 respectively. Now my hsv2 igg score is 0.7. I know it's still negative, but why do the numbers fluctuate? Now it's a higher negative. How does the lab assign these values and why?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your help! Much appreciated.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It is some sort of printing error most probably. If it was a failed test then the lab would have most likely reperformed the test. If it was positive, then unlikely an error would have been shown.

You do not suddenly become infected with HSV1 and not know it. A primary infection is a very distinctive episode for most people.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks! So definitely not worth retesting? Could you pls explain why this error should be deemed meaningless? I just would love to educate myself on this procedure more. Thanks!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This does seem to be an error of some kind, but one that is pretty meaningless. You are indeed negative.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.