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Herpes testing

I tested for Herpes last year here are my results:

HSV1 5.68
HSV2 1.67
Herpes select test

my question was did these numbers really mean? and if I get re-tested what is the possbility that these numbers will change up or down. I really don't have any outbreaks on cold sores on lips I do however, get blisters in my mouth sometimes when I eat sweets & certain foods(junk food) so the HSV1 exposure  I believe is contained in my mouth.....HSV2 I have no outbreaks however I do sometimes experience mild irration I have been cleaning my gential area only with olive leaf bar soaf I am a female.... any advice would be helpful.....just wondered if I should be retested i am paying 4 test out of pocket...
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Avatar universal
I did tell it was for HSV I am going to call back again today so I can speak to someone else....I am wondering if they have the test listed under something else...
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101028 tn?1419603004
no, quest labs does not do the herpes WB in house. I think whoever you talked to at your local quest lab was thinking of a hiv WB blood test, not the herpes WB test.  

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Avatar universal
I contacted my doctor's office today they will order the test however, they said the order # is wrong they can't find the test under that # 34534....I called U of Washington they said they do not have a code and I called Quest Labs directly and they said that's not the correct code either and they also said the do the test in house and do not send it to U of Washington I am not sure what to do at this point any suggestions??
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101028 tn?1419603004
There used to be a decent herpes support group in the Philly area. No idea if it's still active or not. if it is, perhaps someone there can help you find a provider that is helpful or even help you get a biokit hsv2 igg done locally too. worth looking into.
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Avatar universal
thank you for the information I will call U of washington lab so they can help assist with my provider ordering this test for me. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to me.
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101028 tn?1419603004
encourage them to read the 2010 cdc herpes guidelines. not following up with the proper confirmatory testing is actually malpractice and leaves them open to lawsuits!  

unfortunately here in PA, we can't get the WB easily. I encourage you to call the U of washington lab and talk to them to see if they can arrange for it for you. They often have good luck doing so :)  http://depts.washington.edu/rspvirus/herpes.htm  has all their info ( might also want to pass this on to your providers too ).  
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Avatar universal
Need help getting a WB test.....

I have not been able to get either one of my health providers to order the WB test for me they feel that getting re-tested will not change my reading even though my HSV2 it low. I can tell speaking with them and me not really getting a firm answer on any of my questions that they are not very knowledge in this area in herpes testing which is very upsetting. I am very frustrated and we like to just to get a WB test to get a firm answer on my HSV status.....If possible can you please provide of any providers that will be willing to order this test for me I live in the Philadelphia area...thank you for time
Helpful - 0
101028 tn?1419603004
your provider has to order the herpes WB. You can take the order to your local quest lab to have it filled.

if your local quest lab is having trouble finding test #34534, let them know it's a send out to the U of washington :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
thanks for your reply what are the steps in getting a WB test? From what I have read it is done thru Quest Labs do I just contact the local one in my area in request a test? Not really sure how to go about it?
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101028 tn?1419603004
many providers are unsure how to deal with herpes test results. if they don't pursue regular education on it, they only have the 30 minutes they got on herpes in med school to draw on.

as we discussed earlier, your low positives need confirmed with further testing. A herpes western blot ( WB ) is the test we recommend.

there is no such thing as just being exposed to herpes and it causing you to have a little numeric result. It just doesn't work that way.  

confirm your test results so you can know for sure if you have hsv2 or not so you can get on with your life :)

grace
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

I just went to my GYN 2day and I believe that the information that I was given was not really accurate regarding my herpes concern. From my last post I was concerned with a rash on my buttocks I went in 2 c my doctor they stated that it didn't look like anything 2 be concerned about. A culture was taken and come back negative. At the time of my appt. I also talked about my concern with herpes infection I was never visually diagnosis I had a blood test drawn so I was asked 2 bring in results. Which was the reason 4 my visit 2day I give them the results of both test that I took.


First test 10/2010 HSV1 5.67 HSV2 1.67 second test 10/2011 HSV1 5.81 & HSV2 1.87  
my doctor me that those results didn't mean a thing that I should not be concerned with the blood work that the only way I can really be sure that I have HSV2 is you have a legion tested when I am having an outbreak.....I have never had a outbreak in my vaginal area....He told me that the results mean that I was just exposed and that I should wear condoms each and everything time that I have sex......

I fought this what made me first get tested for HSV was that I had unprotected oral sex and I used condom when we had vaginal sex however I noticed after that my throat was really sore and I had symptoms of a viral infection an so I did the blood test for HSV.....


My question is why would my doctor tell me not 2 be concerned with the results? In reading some other forums on the board my HSV2 is a low positive and maybe a false positive however, I need some clarity on what 2 do since my doctor feels I don't need 2 b concerned....Can you provide me some feedback on putting my HSV2 concerns 2 rest I understand that my HSV 1 reading is pretty high so it's most likely that I am postitive.... thanks
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Avatar universal
okay  thanks I am going 2 call back 2morrow in see if I can someone else other than my doctor.....
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101028 tn?1419603004
it could be any number of things.
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Avatar universal
from my description does it sounds like it could be herpes??? I am really puzzled?
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101028 tn?1419603004
tuesday is too late for a herpes lesion culture. you'd need to have it done today or tomorrow at the very latest.    a herpes lesion culture of active symptoms would give faster answers if it's +.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your response I actually believe it a ringworm however, I have a doctor's appt on Tuesday 2 confirm that & also going 2 c if I can get the WB test 2 confirm if I have HSV2....thanks again for your help....
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Avatar universal
If you have symptoms now and believe it's herpes you should go see a dr within 48hrs of noticing it and have them swab the area for herpes.
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Avatar universal
This could be a number of things. Zits are common on the buttocks. Still, be seen by a doctor to get an answer, no way we can tell you what's really going on.

As Grace already told you, your result is a low positive and needs to be confirmed through a WB. Apparently, you haven't pursued such test yet - therefore, you cannot know for sure whether you have genital herpes or not.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
PLEASE HELP!!! I just noticed a week ago that I was having some discomfort in my buttock area however I really didn't think 2 much of it because the pain was not that bad however this morning while getting washed I noticed that I have a patch on my buttock not 2 far from my anus......I am not sure where this is from I haven't had sex & I am really puzzled I was diagnosised with HSV 1&2 last August and I just got recently tested last week results HSV1 5.81 & HSV2 1.87.......could this be a herpes outbreak???? And why now it's been over a year since I have been exposed any advice would be helpful I am contacting my OB GYN today.....
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Avatar universal
thank you I read thru the book very helpful information.....I am getting retested this week hoping that my low positive turns out 2 be negative however, if it is not I will still be okay thanks for your help....
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101028 tn?1419603004
yes it will.

the free herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com has a whole chapter on how to get tested for herpes for more reading.
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Avatar universal
Will the WB test also show what type HSV 1 & 2 whether it's positive or negative?
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Avatar universal
*through
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Avatar universal
You'll need to find a provider that is willing to get you the WB then. The WB can be performed though Quest labs.
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