How accurate are blood tests for HSV 2?

[AliKat81163]

My blood test was 3.83.. I've read that there are few true positives below 3.5.. Does anyone think theres a chance that I might have a false positive?  What are the very best tests?  I have NEVER had the first symptom of Herpes!

[tom52]

Well, I dont know about few + below 3.5, but I tested negative twice with a type specific blood test and I do have herpes.  .04 were my results.

I had a IOB a month ago. My first known OB ever.  I was completly shocked, because I had tested negative in 2006 and again in 2009 with type specific blood test.  Two months later, swab culture came back +.

Blood test are not always acurate!!!!!  I want to make sure people understand this.

[masonlisa62]

I'm new to all this, but clarifying what you said.. You had 2 negative blood tests but actually do have herpes??  So, you didn't have any signs or symptoms before the outbreak two months ago?  From what I've read is that you typically have the first OB 2 months after exposure.  So, I wonder if you had been negative and then exposed 2 weeks before the OB?  Just wondering.. I'm just learning.. I'm praying that my test was a false positive.. Absolutely no outbreaks of any kind at all..

[tom52]

Correct. I had two negative blood test for Herpes type 2 , and I do have Herpes type 2. This was confirmed with a swab and culture of that.

I had never, ever had any signs or symptoms prior to my initial outbreak (that is what the doctor said it was, an inital outbreak. My first).

My current partner of 19 months is the same as me. No signs or symptoms ever and tesitng negative with a type specific blood test.

It is possible he could be the source of my new infection, but what are the chances of BOTH of us testing false negatives??   I think pretty slim and because I am the one who had an outbreak, my test were false, not his.

Best of luck to you.  I hope that you are negative.  I really, really do.

[gracefromHHP]

tom52....you can not think that your situation is something to warn folks about all the time. It's something that happens to only 2-3% of folks who use the blood tests.  The vast majority of folks will test accurately. No need to make folks doubt results for no good reason.  Please keep that in mind and put your own situation in perspective before replying to folks.  Considering the poster has a + result, your situation and experiences with the blood tests doesn't really apply anyways does it?

grace

[gracefromHHP]

alikat and masonlisa the same poster?

[tom52]

Grace,

True. Mine was negative and theirs positve.  I just want people to know that the blood test are not always accurate.  Thats all.  

I think the percentage of false negatives is 10%.  A little higher than 2-3%.

I'm just saying....

[masonlisa62]

Yes.. Just thought I'd try to get my email address out of my screen name on here..

[gracefromHHP]

Ok...well I already answered this in your other post then - let's continue the discussion there.

Which name do you want to continue using? I can ask medhelp to stop the other account to keep it simple :)

grace

[gracefromHHP]

Both the herpeselect and the herpes WB have a 98% rate of accuracy.

grace

[masonlisa62]

Let's stop the AliKat Account!  I would just hate for someone to be searching online for me by my email and come across this!

[Verysaddude]

Hi Grace, quick question....since the herpselect and wb are 98% accurate....then how can some other post say that there is a high rate of false positives when someone is postive under 3.5.....

[Curiousitykilledthecat1225]

bump