Hi All-
Not so much a question, but wanted to share information for anyone in the greater DC area and Virginia looking for confirmatory testing via the Western Blot.
I just sent my Western Blot out today for confirmation. I may have started developing symptoms recently after testing 1.15 positive IgG for HSV2, but regardless I hope this post will help someone avoid some of the troubles I had for getting a Western Blot done.
General Info:
Start by reading this post from 2013- It covers a ton of important info. It was the first place I read about confirmatory testing and communicates almost everything you can.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/False-Positive-HSV-2-Igg-test-and-Western-Blot/show/2020094
Getting a requisition form:
I had a really hard time getting a doctor to fill out a requisition form for me. I feel like I turned everywhere and got shut down or told that I tested positive, end of story. The easiest method I found of dealing with someone that understands the process is the Westover Heights Clinic. https://www.westoverheights.com/herpes/getting-a-western-blot/
Check out the site, they have all of the info you need. You can schedule an online consultation to go over test results with someone that has experience with these tests. Terri was very helpful in helping interpret the situation and provides insight on the testing process.
Finding a clinic:
I tried calling EVERYWHERE in Virginia and DC for a clinic to draw blood. No luck. Once I found Westover Heights clinic, they recommended AnyLabTestNow in Fredericksburg. They're a national chain and the only clinic in the state of Virginia that will do the Western Blot. They even shipped through fedEx for me. The serum sample cost $25 and the shipping cost around $90.
There's a VRE/Amtrak train that goes straight there in the morning from DC, which is close to the clinic.
Testing positive for HSV2 is really scary. I've found it really hard to get any help lately, but to have Westover Heights and the AnyLabTestNow team in Fredericksburg VA help like they have, it makes life a little easier (and that's honestly all I need right now).
I sincerely hope this post helps someone!