Testing

[Sehlu]

I did both the combined hsv with igg 28.8 (positive being greater than 1.1). And the type specific positive igg 1.9 hsv1(positive greater than 1.1). It is a low positive. I am confused with test results through wat i am reading. Which test should i consider? the type specific was elisa. Can 23 days exposure give this low positive on elisa? And doea it suggest recent infec..and the high 28.8 on the chemiluminesence immunoassay is leaving me perplexed..can someone help me interpret please

[WellinformedPerson]

Can I ask what the nature of the exposure was? Unprotected oral, vaginal, etc? Why did you feel a herpes test was needed?

[Sehlu]

Hello it was an oral exposure..i had a number of symptoms like flu swollen glands burning and crawling but no lesions so i went through all the std test..and view that there was no type specific test i got the combined one at 23 days of believed exposure..with this high num ..the test specific showed negative hsv2 of o.1..can an oral exposure lead to a 1.9 igg in 23 days?

[Life360_Dave]

Hi the combined tests picks up all proteins even those not associated with hsv so we only use the type specific and if yours is 1.9 it falls into the low positive range which is considered a false positive in need of retesting. Test again at 2 months.
Concluding a low positve at 23 days as a climbing number is not something of value that can be concluded

[Sehlu]

Thank u life360..this is the first time i am getting a logical explanation for this..do you think i should go for elisa again or westernblot.. there is no pcr for swab testing in my country so i only can do blood tests

[Sehlu]

Also does hsv1 also have false positive.. i have read this is only applicable to hsv2

[Life360_Dave]

Either tests are ok but you need to wait 2 months.. But if the person giving you the oral sex did not have any lip sores at the time your risk is close to zero that you contracted it.

[Sehlu]

No he did not have any..sorry to bother you with one more issue about the combined test as u seem knowledgeable about it..even if it picks up all protein could the igg have build up in just 23 days?