Positive and Negative HSV2 Results

[wineman62]

Folks, I really don't know what to think. I had a protected contact with a female, whose status I did not know. I got nervous and got STD tests done about 3-4 weeks after contact. All tests have come back negative, except the following scenario. The first HSV test was an IGG test (not sure if it was type specific) at Planned Parenthood. The test result came in positive for HSV2 (HSV1 was negative) - at about 1.36. I then took a type specific HSV1/2 IGG test a few days later (done through Labcorp) that was completely negative for both HSV 1 and 2. I went to my doctor at about week 4, and he tested me for all STDs. Everything was negative, except the IGG HSV2 test, which was positive at about 1.34. So, in this 4 week window, I had one slightly positive test (not sure the type of test run by Planned Parenthood), one type specific test at Labcorp which was negative, and one IGG test from my doctor that was slightly positive. There have been no other contacts since this last contact.

During this time, I was feeling some irritated skin sensations underneath the base of my penis - between the penis and scrotum. I have noticed that I think I have sebaceous prominence underneath the shaft of my penis, but I'm not sure if this can cause any skin irritation. It's amazing what you find when you are really looking! I also have what my doctor has determined is come kind of heat rash on both sides of the inside groin area - which I have battled for quite some time - between the leg and groin area. It doesn't really bother me at all, but I wonder if it is a bacterial infection?

Here is the part that I just can't understand. It is now week 12, and I took the IGG HSV1/2 Type Specific test again (done through Labcorp) and HSV1 and HSV2 are both negative. What the heck am I supposed to believe? Am I negative or positive for HSV2?

I am still feeling some irritation between my penis and scrotum, but I have never had an outbreak of any kind. I have several questions that I need help understanding:

1) Is 12 weeks after contact a reasonable amount of time to feel pretty good that I do not have HSV2?
2) Are my previous HSV2 positive test results so low that they could be false positives?
3) If one were really positive for HSV2, wouldn't the level of antibodies increase in the body, making the HSV2 test result numbers significantly higher after 12 weeks?
4) At 4 weeks, I tested negative for gonorrhea, syphillas, clamydia, and HIV was negative after 12 weeks. Are there other STDs that could cause this irritation if it is not from HSV2? What about HPV? I have not been tested for this.

Thanks.

[maya111]

yeah i know lol (all 2 well unfortinuetally) you have to find a (doctor) lab to draw that can actually process/ship out the specimen etc... once you find a doctor that can actually "do it"-meaning having a "certain level-i think its a level 5 liscence" liscence to draw for the w.b test. most dont because you need complicated lab equipment etc.. for example a lab that can to process difficult viruses like siphilus (if tha makes sense). then take all your past hsv 1/2 records w you and explain as well that you need a w..b. done to test the false positive ratio.(mostly everyone thinks the herpes select is like 98% accurate all together so most just go w those results but not w scores under 3.5/3.0 and most doctors/health professionals wont admit it because theres not a lot of info, trials,cdc,fda etc..explaining why all these problems happen w scores under 3.5/3.0(this actually happens a lot after my 10 months or so "investigation" lol or like the info in my blog you could try a immmunoblot by i think captiva. some people test positive w alissa and not immunoblot(strange i know but dont know why) or try a rapid bio kit ;( hope everything works out ok!

[wineman62]

I called a local Quest lab. They told me that I can get the WB test done, but need to have the test approved by my doctor, which for me means fat-chance. This is really frustrating....

[gracefromHHP]

You can google to find the quest lab closest to you.

grace

[wineman62]

Grace,

I found this post:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/693527

Supposedly, this person contacted Quest directly, but I assume she needed a doctor to order the test, right? Is there any chance of finding the Quest phone number?

Thanks.

[gracefromHHP]

Quest won't let you order the WB on your own without your doctor's order. You can call your local lab and see if you order the WB kit yourself if they will draw the blood and send it for you.  No idea what they'll charge for that.

Another option is check around for herpes support groups in your area and see if anyone in them were able to get a WB from a doctor in your area and go thru them.

grace

[wineman62]

Hi Grace,

So, it is now 19 weeks after contact and I am considering the WB test. I assume 19 weeks is enough time for conclusive WB results, right? My doctor will not even discuss the WB test, as he thinks I am HSV2 positive and no further testing is necessary. Heck, I might be, but it is worth knowing for sure.

Please forgive me for asking this again, but how can I get the WB test done thru Quest if my doctor will not approve the test? I know you gave me the test ID number. Is there a phone number that you have which I can call so I can expedite the process thru Quest? BTW, any idea how much it costs?

Thanks.