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Hoping for false positive HSV2 blood test
Hello,
Recently I went to my OB/GYN complaining of pelvic pain which was automatically diagnosed as PID by the NP. After several days on antibiotics the pain went away; in the mean time I was swabbed for STD's including herpes (the NP said she saw a white spot which could have been a sore or just part of my anatomy) which prompted her to conduct the test, ghonorrea, and chlamydia all of which came back negative. Two weeks later there was another set of STD cultures done; also negative. The NP gave me a script for blood work which simply said STD/CBC; a month after the swabs I had my blood drawn in the office and a week later received a call (on my voice mail very professional if I do say so myself) the I had tested positive for HSV 2. My test results and details are below:
HSV 1 IGG HERPESELECT AB 0.28
HSV 2 IGG HERPESELECT AB 3.64
HSV AB (IGM) W/REFL TITER
HSV IgM AB SCREEN DETECTED A
REFERENCE RANGE: NOT DETECTED
HSV IgM AB TITER PENDING
Of course you know as everyone first receiving this news I am completely devastated and in denial so last Tuesday I went to see an infectious disease doctor who sent me for another test. I have an appointment on 1/25/2011 to receive the results.
My questions are: what do these numbers mean and is there any chance at all that I could possibly end up receiving a negative result on these second sets of tests (I know it is unlikely but a little hope right now is all I have to cling to).
I would also like to add that I have never experienced any outbreaks, symptoms, or obvious signs of infection which I know means nothing but I am also clinging to that for a little hope as well. Additionally my partner of 16 years and father of my children has not (to my knowledge) and I have told him about these results has not experienced any signs or symptoms of infection either.
Any insight you have to offer would be much appreciated.
Thank you so much!!
Recently I went to my OB/GYN complaining of pelvic pain which was automatically diagnosed as PID by the NP. After several days on antibiotics the pain went away; in the mean time I was swabbed for STD's including herpes (the NP said she saw a white spot which could have been a sore or just part of my anatomy) which prompted her to conduct the test, ghonorrea, and chlamydia all of which came back negative. Two weeks later there was another set of STD cultures done; also negative. The NP gave me a script for blood work which simply said STD/CBC; a month after the swabs I had my blood drawn in the office and a week later received a call (on my voice mail very professional if I do say so myself) the I had tested positive for HSV 2. My test results and details are below:
HSV 1 IGG HERPESELECT AB 0.28
HSV 2 IGG HERPESELECT AB 3.64
HSV AB (IGM) W/REFL TITER
HSV IgM AB SCREEN DETECTED A
REFERENCE RANGE: NOT DETECTED
HSV IgM AB TITER PENDING
Of course you know as everyone first receiving this news I am completely devastated and in denial so last Tuesday I went to see an infectious disease doctor who sent me for another test. I have an appointment on 1/25/2011 to receive the results.
My questions are: what do these numbers mean and is there any chance at all that I could possibly end up receiving a negative result on these second sets of tests (I know it is unlikely but a little hope right now is all I have to cling to).
I would also like to add that I have never experienced any outbreaks, symptoms, or obvious signs of infection which I know means nothing but I am also clinging to that for a little hope as well. Additionally my partner of 16 years and father of my children has not (to my knowledge) and I have told him about these results has not experienced any signs or symptoms of infection either.
Any insight you have to offer would be much appreciated.
Thank you so much!!
Everyone,
The best thing to do on testing questions with results is let grace answer these questions. Grace is trained to read these tests and being that she is knowledgable in the testing we let her review results.
The numbers merely mean how positive the test is. There is a range in which testing can be seen as a low positive or a possible false positive. In this range we advise people to do a western blot which if you are in the US can be ordered by your provider. This is a confirmatory testing. However, unless 4 months as past since your last possible expsoure then taking the test is to soon.
Barbie37 and anyone else posting their results. Please keep them to your thread. Grace has the weekend off to spend time with family and I don't read anyones results as I am not trained in it like grace. Be patient and wait for her response.
indenial: You should have your partner tested even if he has had no symptoms. He needs a type specific igg test. The IgM test is worthless when testing for HSV and according to the newest guidelines from the CDC that is the best way to go. As long as your partner has not been with anyone else in the last 12-16 weeks then his results are going to be accurate.
The best thing to do on testing questions with results is let grace answer these questions. Grace is trained to read these tests and being that she is knowledgable in the testing we let her review results.
The numbers merely mean how positive the test is. There is a range in which testing can be seen as a low positive or a possible false positive. In this range we advise people to do a western blot which if you are in the US can be ordered by your provider. This is a confirmatory testing. However, unless 4 months as past since your last possible expsoure then taking the test is to soon.
Barbie37 and anyone else posting their results. Please keep them to your thread. Grace has the weekend off to spend time with family and I don't read anyones results as I am not trained in it like grace. Be patient and wait for her response.
indenial: You should have your partner tested even if he has had no symptoms. He needs a type specific igg test. The IgM test is worthless when testing for HSV and according to the newest guidelines from the CDC that is the best way to go. As long as your partner has not been with anyone else in the last 12-16 weeks then his results are going to be accurate.
Would anylabtestnow carry those Western Blot tests? Because that's where I went. And should I lay off the medicine completely?
Pictures aren't very helpful because everyone's symptoms may vary quite widely. Some people are completely asymptomatic. If you're reconfirming with a Western Blot, stay off the acyclovir; it may affect the validity of the test. You can obtain it from Quest Labs or ask your doctor if he can help you.
I just got some acyclovir medicine prescribed and I'm re-testing next month in hopes of showing no positive results. Hope everything goes well with you! And where can I get a Western Blot test? I've never had symptoms although I do get the occasional pimple on my butt and I asked the doctor if that could be a symptom and he said possibly :( I wanted him to look down there but he showed me pics instead
Barbie - Your positive is very low & likely to be a false positive. You could also reconfirm with a Western Blot, Test #34534.
Indenial - Sometimes doctors order IgM tests, even though they are worthless. They truly shouldn't, but sometimes it just comes as a package with the IgGs.
A low positive is typically under 3.5. However, I've seen Western Blots come back negative for all ranges. If you have any more symptoms, I'm sure you know to have them swabbed.
Indenial - Sometimes doctors order IgM tests, even though they are worthless. They truly shouldn't, but sometimes it just comes as a package with the IgGs.
A low positive is typically under 3.5. However, I've seen Western Blots come back negative for all ranges. If you have any more symptoms, I'm sure you know to have them swabbed.
I wish I knew more about the numbers because your HSV2 is much lower than mine. Are you planning on re-testing? I may have re-tested too soon (four weeks after initial results). I will post my new results and let you know what happens. Prayers for both of us and best of luck!!
I think I am as worried as you are. I'm a 19 year old female who tested positive for HSV1 and 2 and I am also confused about the numbers for my results. My results were:
HSV1 IGG 5.439
HSV2 IGG 1.877
I've had two cold sores in the past but I have not had any symptoms anywhere else. I'm praying that our numbers are a mistake or too low to be positive!
HSV1 IGG 5.439
HSV2 IGG 1.877
I've had two cold sores in the past but I have not had any symptoms anywhere else. I'm praying that our numbers are a mistake or too low to be positive!
I'm not sure what type of follow up tests were done I can only hope they were not a duplicate of what the OB/GYN had already done.
My partner is going to be tested as well. When you say type specific and not combined do you know why my results showed IgM results as well? Shouldn't the results have been IGG only?
Also I have heard that the numbers mean very little; how and what determines a "low" positive? I'm so happy to hear you say that my results are roughly low but I'm still scared to death of receiving Tuesday's results. Fingers crossed that the outcome will be different and my partner will test negative as well.
Sorry for all of the questions but I just have so many thoughts and concerns going on right now as this is still all so fresh.
Thank you so much for your feedback/input.
My partner is going to be tested as well. When you say type specific and not combined do you know why my results showed IgM results as well? Shouldn't the results have been IGG only?
Also I have heard that the numbers mean very little; how and what determines a "low" positive? I'm so happy to hear you say that my results are roughly low but I'm still scared to death of receiving Tuesday's results. Fingers crossed that the outcome will be different and my partner will test negative as well.
Sorry for all of the questions but I just have so many thoughts and concerns going on right now as this is still all so fresh.
Thank you so much for your feedback/input.
A 3.64 is still roughly a low positive and could be false. What type of follow up tests did you complete?
It would be beneficial to retest with a Western Blot (if you haven't already). It would be very wise for your partner of 16 years to obtain an IgG test, as well. Make sure his is type specific, like what you had done (not combined) and confirm that it is IgG and not IgM.
You can order the Western Blot through Quest labs, Test #34534.
It would be beneficial to retest with a Western Blot (if you haven't already). It would be very wise for your partner of 16 years to obtain an IgG test, as well. Make sure his is type specific, like what you had done (not combined) and confirm that it is IgG and not IgM.
You can order the Western Blot through Quest labs, Test #34534.
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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.
