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HSV-2 Equivocal; HELP!!
I am a 34 yr old male amd recently had a series of STD tests (9, I believe) and all were negative except for the HSV-2 aB igg test, which was determined to be equivocal with an actual reading of 0.98. The dr. told me that 0.9-1.1 is equivocal and will require a follow up test in 4 weeks. This kind of has me freaking out right now.
I've done a lot of searching, obviously, and it looks like readings below 3.5 can often be a false positive in the herpeselect igg tests, with the lower the number having a greater likelihood of being negative. I do know that the igg test was a herpeselect test. Is the information that I've been reading referenced above still valid? It seemed the posts I found were older 2010 and 2011 - has herpeselect corrected this issue? Is 1.1 the real cutoff now?
Just some other information that I would like to share that seemed important from reading other posts:
1) HSV-1 test was negative (also an igg test)
2) It's been 6 months since I could have possibly been exposed, but over a year since I think it's realistic that I was exposed. This seems to be, from what I've read, long enough to ensure that the antibodies for the igg test should have been built up if I were truly positive. The times listed are not based on my knowledge of any specific partner's status - just my own commentary.
3) I have, in the distant past, been in what could be considered a high risk group. By distant past, I mean over 1 year.
4) I've never had any herpes symptoms (blisters, sores, etc... On my penis).
Is it likely that I have HSV-2? Should I get a follow-up igg test or try another test? I've read a little about the biokit test, but it seems like that is an igg test, too. Is that correct? Is that at all different from the other igg test I had?
I would really appreciate any guidance you can provide.
I've done a lot of searching, obviously, and it looks like readings below 3.5 can often be a false positive in the herpeselect igg tests, with the lower the number having a greater likelihood of being negative. I do know that the igg test was a herpeselect test. Is the information that I've been reading referenced above still valid? It seemed the posts I found were older 2010 and 2011 - has herpeselect corrected this issue? Is 1.1 the real cutoff now?
Just some other information that I would like to share that seemed important from reading other posts:
1) HSV-1 test was negative (also an igg test)
2) It's been 6 months since I could have possibly been exposed, but over a year since I think it's realistic that I was exposed. This seems to be, from what I've read, long enough to ensure that the antibodies for the igg test should have been built up if I were truly positive. The times listed are not based on my knowledge of any specific partner's status - just my own commentary.
3) I have, in the distant past, been in what could be considered a high risk group. By distant past, I mean over 1 year.
4) I've never had any herpes symptoms (blisters, sores, etc... On my penis).
Is it likely that I have HSV-2? Should I get a follow-up igg test or try another test? I've read a little about the biokit test, but it seems like that is an igg test, too. Is that correct? Is that at all different from the other igg test I had?
I would really appreciate any guidance you can provide.
absolutely no reason to think that either of these rashes are herpes related at all.
when you have rashes, be seen for proper exam so you don't add to your anxiety like this!
when you have rashes, be seen for proper exam so you don't add to your anxiety like this!
Bump.
So, I've been in a monogamous relationship with the same woman for the last 6 months. So, it's been almost a year since possible exposure and longer since a realistic exposure.
The HSV-2 igg test came in at the 0.98 that I mentioned a while back. I was comfortable given the information here that I was negative, but I'm definitely very aware of any slight change to my skin anywhere on my body. A few weeks ago I had a small (smaller than a quarter) pink spot on my upper arm I never noticed any blisters, but it had a few very tiny scabs. I had no idea where it came from, but it went away after a couple weeks.
Now I have a very slight discoloration on my lip (half on, half off). It's red, but very faint. There is no blister and it's not uncomfortable at all. I can tell it's there if I push on it really hard, I can feel it kind of deep down, not near the surface.
Truth be told, I'm freaking out a little bit that one or both of these spots may be HSV-2.
Grace, can you tell me what you think?
The HSV-2 igg test came in at the 0.98 that I mentioned a while back. I was comfortable given the information here that I was negative, but I'm definitely very aware of any slight change to my skin anywhere on my body. A few weeks ago I had a small (smaller than a quarter) pink spot on my upper arm I never noticed any blisters, but it had a few very tiny scabs. I had no idea where it came from, but it went away after a couple weeks.
Now I have a very slight discoloration on my lip (half on, half off). It's red, but very faint. There is no blister and it's not uncomfortable at all. I can tell it's there if I push on it really hard, I can feel it kind of deep down, not near the surface.
Truth be told, I'm freaking out a little bit that one or both of these spots may be HSV-2.
Grace, can you tell me what you think?
correct.
Grace, you're so knowledgable - I really appreciate your input!
So if I can see a hair (even if it's just the start of one), then it definitely isn't a herpes lesion?
So if I can see a hair (even if it's just the start of one), then it definitely isn't a herpes lesion?
vinegar is an acid. you shouldn't be leaving it on the skin either - it just causes more irritation from exposing the skin to an acid.
the creams for warts are also irritating to skin. get some on an area that isn't a wart and it will become red and excoriated.
herpes lesions won't have a hair in them.
the creams for warts are also irritating to skin. get some on an area that isn't a wart and it will become red and excoriated.
herpes lesions won't have a hair in them.
Would I be able to pop it if it were hsv-2 and would it secrete a fair amount of clear fluid (very similar to what you would get if you pop a pimple on your forehead). It didn't pop easily and I think I ripped the skin off of the top of it. It still doesn't hurt and I'm almost certain I see a black hair in the middle of it. I also went running yesterday.
purchase PCR testing. pick an appropriate variant for the lab of choice
Hi Grace,
I have one last question on this. What prompted the STD panel to begin with was noticing warts on my private area - dr. said was hpv and is treating with cream. Since I noticed the warts I've been ultra vigilant about checking myself and this morning I noticed a very small red spot away from the warts that now has me worried (scrotum, not shaft). Admittedly, I tried some ACV on the warts last night with tape and think it could have aggravated the area. What really has me worried is that it could be hsv-2 just showing up now. The timing is suspicious, so my big question is if it were hsv-2 would it hurt. I know you can have hsv-2 with no symptoms, but if you get a blister/sore will it definitely hurt? This doesn't bother me at all, so I'm hopeful that it's just an irritation.
I have one last question on this. What prompted the STD panel to begin with was noticing warts on my private area - dr. said was hpv and is treating with cream. Since I noticed the warts I've been ultra vigilant about checking myself and this morning I noticed a very small red spot away from the warts that now has me worried (scrotum, not shaft). Admittedly, I tried some ACV on the warts last night with tape and think it could have aggravated the area. What really has me worried is that it could be hsv-2 just showing up now. The timing is suspicious, so my big question is if it were hsv-2 would it hurt. I know you can have hsv-2 with no symptoms, but if you get a blister/sore will it definitely hurt? This doesn't bother me at all, so I'm hopeful that it's just an irritation.
all you have to do is google cdc 2010 std guidelines and go to the herpes section.
the way they do the test compares your blood with a known positive sample and gives us a percentage. some folks just naturally score a little higher than others since we are all different.
the way they do the test compares your blood with a known positive sample and gives us a percentage. some folks just naturally score a little higher than others since we are all different.
One last question - I saw a lot of references to the 2010 cdc herpes information with respect to the high number of false positives in the herpeselect tests for values below 3.5, but I was not able to find the information myself. Do you have a link to the page where this information is available?
You feel like this is not something I need to worry about bringing up with a partner in the future?
You feel like this is not something I need to worry about bringing up with a partner in the future?
Oh my goodness!!!! Are you serious?! You have no idea what a relief that is!!!!!!!
I had no knowledge at all on this subject until I started freaking out and doing tons of research. It definitely seems from reading a lot of other posts and your last post that so many medical professionals are really not up to speed on what they should really know with respect to this.
Do you know what makes one who is negative test so close to positive? I had actually scheduled an appt with my dr. to order the WB test.
What a huge relief - I can't begin to tell you!!!!
I had no knowledge at all on this subject until I started freaking out and doing tons of research. It definitely seems from reading a lot of other posts and your last post that so many medical professionals are really not up to speed on what they should really know with respect to this.
Do you know what makes one who is negative test so close to positive? I had actually scheduled an appt with my dr. to order the WB test.
What a huge relief - I can't begin to tell you!!!!
actually you don't need any more testing at all. your provider just doesn't understand how to properly read the test results.
equivocal is negative if enough time has passed. you've waited more than enough time and are negative.
congrats!
grace
equivocal is negative if enough time has passed. you've waited more than enough time and are negative.
congrats!
grace
How common is it to see a 0.98 on a herpeselect test show positive on a western blot test?
Will the same test tell me anything meaningful other than negative? If I get the same test and it comes back at 1.4 I would still be in the very low range and a WB would be recommended, no?
If I show equivocal on herpeselect and negative on WB, is it safe to say I'm negative?
Will the same test tell me anything meaningful other than negative? If I get the same test and it comes back at 1.4 I would still be in the very low range and a WB would be recommended, no?
If I show equivocal on herpeselect and negative on WB, is it safe to say I'm negative?
Just follow up with another test in 4 weeks like the doctor said. Make sure it's the same test or a Western Blot. I would just get the same test. Without any outbreaks you'll just have to be patient and wait.
Bump
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