Possibl wrong diagnosis of HSV2

[koko211]

I have been married for 7 years. Las week i was diagnosed with hsv2 in a routine exam at my obgyn office.  This was a
shock to me and my husband, as  neither him or i have ever had any symptom of this disease.  Additionaly i believe that in 2005 i was tested and results were negative.  I dont  know what to think?? Would it be possible for me to have it for years ago an never had symptoms, or could it be possible that my husband had it and didnt give it to me for 4 years??? Im new to this subject and very scared. Could results be wrong??? How can I have it witho no outbreaks ever.

Additinaly i had a baby 6 months ago. What is the chance of her having it??please help...

[auntiejessi]

Hi there -

You need to get a hard copy of these results, and we can help you sort it out.

I am still surprised at how many doctors don't read the results correctly, or who order the wrong tests, etc.

In the meantime, your husband should be tested with an IgG type specific blood test (and that's the test you should have had).

AJ

[koko211]

Thank you so  much.. I've thought about a lot of things. Maybe the doctor reading the test wrongs. The blood sample being chaged with the patient next room (there was a patient getting tested for the same thing at the same time when I was at the doctors office). Or maybe the lab changed samples. I know it sounds almost impossible.. but I cannot understand how i can have it without having any symptoms ever in my life.  The nurse told me that there was nothing I could do since i have no symptoms and have never had. So she seemed really happy, meanwhile I was in shock. Her answer  was "dont worry 80% of americans have it"

That really doesnt help me at all. My husband  has a doctor's appointment on MOnday and will ask to be tested.  Does anyone know about any cases where the lab has reported a test as positive when it was negative and they were sued???

[waringblender]

Why were you tested in 2005?

[gracefromHHP]

As Jess said - we can better help you once we see your test results. Also check and confirm whether you were really tested in 2005 or not. Assume nothing.

Do clerical errors/ human errors/mix ups happen? yes they do but for the most part not very often.  

Once you and hubby both have your test results you can better figure this out and we can guide you to any additional testing that's needed - if it's needed.

grace

[exona]

Herpes is amazingly silent in most people. My BF had it for approximately 10 years without knowing it...and he caught it from a partner he'd been with for 10 years and she never knew she had it (so she probably had it for about 15 years). All well-intentioned people that just happened to have had it and not realize it.

If indeed that is your case, (it seems like you're not sure at this point), you would be in good company. I wish you luck in finding out more info.

[gracefromHHP]

your hsv2 igg is still on the low side. You might want to repeat the blood test.

Also has hubby been tested yet? I'd get him tested too before repeating any of your testing. If he's hsv2+ too then no reason to repeat your blood test.

grace

[koko211]

Test Name: HSV 1/2 IGG, Herpeselect
Type Specific AB

Herpes Simplex Type 1        0.54   EIA Value
Herpes Simplex Type 2        3.35   EIA Value

This assay is type specific and will differentiate between hsv 1 and hsv 2 infections. A single positive result only indicates previouls immunologic exposure and the level of antibody response may not be used to determine active infection or disease stage.

[koko211]

Why people are saying this is pretty high.. I read that 3.5 is the cut off for a false positive. Is this accurate??

[gracefromHHP]

I said your results were on the low side and need confirmed. Ask your doctor to send off a herpes WB blood test to the U of washington for confirmation of your hsv2 status.

Has your hubby been tested yet?

grace

[koko211]

Yes Grace,
Today my husband's doctor called him and confirmed he is negative for all stds. I dont understand what happened??? Is my doctor obligated to send my test wherever I tell her to???

[gracefromHHP]

I'd ask for a copy of the herpes blood test he had done just to see it with your own eyes to be sure they properly tested him for herpes.

Your doctor doesn't have to do anything you want them to do actually but hopefully yours is up to date enough on herpes testing that they are willing to do the confirmatory testing for you.

grace

[Canuckchick]

k...when I was diagnosed I was told there are false negatives but never false positives. If the Dr says you have it then you have it. But why did your Dr test for HSV in a routine exam? In Canada you have to ask for specific testing.

Yes, it can lie dormant with no symptoms (some positive people never have symptoms at all) but you can still pass it on whether you have symptoms or not. It's called viral shedding. I've tested positive, my BF's test was inconclusive but since we had unprotected sex for 2 yrs before I had my 1st outbreak we figure we both have it and it came from him. He's never had a full on outbreak but has had itching and some discomfort. I never had an outbreak before July 06 but since then I have one almost every month. Sometimes it's vaginal, sometimes it's in my behind (altho I've never had anal sex...go figure :? ) and I once had an outbreak on my butt cheek. It's NOT been fun, to say the least.

I think the chances of your baby having it are slim if she hasn't shown any signs of it yet. From what I've read infants can have horrible horrible outbreaks because they have undeveloped immune systems. I believe she would've shown signs by now...but you really should consult your pediatrician just in case.

I know you're freaking out...I did too. But you can learn to live with this...you only have one other choice and it's not a good one. Do some researching on the internet and you'll find a lot of info there. Good luck with this. It does get easier...at least mentally.

[koko211]

Thanks for your comments. What I dont understand is if i've been married for 7 years and I was tested for it in 2005 and  came out  negative how is it possible that now I have it and my husband doesnt have  it after  sex for 7 years with  no protection. I t kind of makes no sense. Everythign points to a negative result:

I  have never had a single outbreak nothing that would even resembles  HSV
My husband has never had any symptoms either and his test is negative.
I had a negative test in 2005 and I havent slept with anyone since I got married in 2001

I dont think my doctor will send the test to teh university of washington.  I dont knwo what else to do. I really dont think I have it.

[Canuckchick]

Well, as I said, there can be false negatives. I had one with my 1st test but had an outbreak a few weeks later and they tested again (drew fluid off the blister) and it was positive. I'd suggest being tested again...just in case. Herpes is a strange virus...some people never show symptoms and some people have outbreaks all the time. The only way you'll get peace of mind is to retest. If it comes out positive again then you'll just have to find a way to accept and live with it.

btw...your husband's test may have been a false negative.

[gracefromHHP]

"when I was diagnosed I was told there are false negatives but never false positives"

Actually that's inaccurate information.   There is a false positive rate and it can be rather high in certain populations which is why we recommended additional confirmatory testing for the original poster since she needs to get to the bottom of all this.

grace

[Canuckchick]

Well...you learn something new everyday. The Dr at the clinic I went to told me about that info...maybe it depends on the type of test that's run?

[gracefromHHP]

No - it depends on the knowledge the provider has and the provider who told you that isn't up to date on herpes blood testing unfortunately.

grace

[koko211]

Grace:

I picked up my husbands results they say:

HSV 2 IGG, Herpeselect
Type Specific AB                               0.12

They also did the
Herpes Simplex Virus IGM               Not Detected
HSV IGM AB SCREEN

This shows he doesn thave it. If I have it how is it possibel that never in 7 years I have given it to him???Canuckchick  is  making me nervous.  Today I will be picking up my results from 2005 that supposedly show that I did not have it. Could it had been a false negative, or could my husbands be a false negative... I have an appointment with my obgyn next week she asked for me to go with mu husband to discuss my results. I think she will probably just insist that I have it.  I really dont feel like I have it. Again everything points to no:

1 Husband doesn thave it
2 Never had any outbreaks in  my liefe neither my husband
3 I know there was another patient getting tested for the same thing when I went to my doctors office, could they have changed the samples??

Im very nervous that my doctor will not agree to do a WB test or even retest me.  Both me and my husband  are freaking out. Of course it is very hard for me to explain to him how I got it and he doesnt have it.... I dont want this to ruin our lifes when it might not be true. We really have no $$ to be paying for more retestests and sending samples away. What do you recommend??

[gracefromHHP]

At this point the best thing is to confirm your own hsv2 result.  I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't a false positive.  If your doctor uses quest labs you can get the herpes inhibition assay - #17170 instead of the WB but chances are good that your doctor won't understand how to read the result you do get from that test unfortunately. Terri Warren can help you over on her board with it if need be or HHH /EWH over on the std expert board here should be able to too but you have to pay to ask them.  

If your doc won't retest you - ask them to contact the fine folks who make the herpes select to talk about the incidence of false positives with their test. They are usually very nice and helpful there.

grace

[auntiejessi]

Well, you can assume you have it, and it isn't surprising actually that your husband hasn't gotten it if you do have it.  If all you do is avoid sex during an outbreak, there is only a 4% chance that your husband would get it from you a year.

That's a 96% chance that he wouldn't get it.

Or you can decide to retest, if you want to spend the money.  You don't have to get a WB.  You could start with another IgG and see what that says, if you don't want to be spending big bucks if its not covered by insurance.

I don't see how this would ruin your lives.  You've been married, you might have had this the whole time, and if you hadn't tested, you'd never know, right?

AJ

[hereandthere]

I thought the same as you did. I went to my girl friend whom I was marring and had to tell her. She understood and we are still getting married. Your Husband just needs time to deal with this. This is not the end of you life , you will now have to change a few things but not as much as you think. I will say this you can have HSV2 without knowing it and I was told it could lay dormant for years according to my doctor.

[Dallasfan]

Can I clarify a point here? I noted that koko had an Elisa ( enzyme linked immunosorbent test ) for the herpes. This test is cheap and only fair in it`s sensitivity and has a relatively high percentage of false positives. The western blot assay for HSV-2 is the gold standard. Ask your health care provider to get this done for you it would answer your questions. I predict it will be negative. Take care.

[koko211]

Dallasfan:

Thank you so much for your prediction, I hope it is true.  I dont think if my doctor will send the test for western blot that is whay I dont knwo what woudl happen. But I will try.

gracefromHHP:
What did you mean with " I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't a false positive."  Do you think you woudl not be surprised if I do have it???

auntiejessie:
How can you say I can assume I have it.. when i have never had an outbreak.... Ive never avoided sex, so how my husband doesnt have it.

ALSO TO ALL OF YOU:I picked up my results yesterday from 2005 they did the IGM test and  it cam out negative and based on that they did nto do the herpeselect because there was no presence of  herpes anibodies... How can I not haveit in 2005 and now I have it... I wil let you knwo what happens after I go to the doctor. Im hoping that Dallas prediction is accurate and I dont have it. It woudl really makes sense.
Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

The igm test only in 2005 was a total waste of time. You really can not at this point continue to assume that you didn't have hsv2 in 2005 if only the igm was done.  The igm would not have picked up on a long term hsv2 infection that you had acquired before you met your husband.

You need to get additional testing done at this point. A WB or a biokit would be the next best step to get better answers.  A 3.35 is still within the false positive range and should be confirmed since you don't recall ever having symptoms - better to err on the side of caution don't you think?

So how could you have had hsv2 all this time and your hubby didn't? Contracting hsv2 is almost as much about bad luck as anything. The rate of transmission from females to males is rather low in general.  Until you've gotten additional testing assume that you really do have hsv2 but keep in mind that you went this long without transmitting it with taking no precautions - don't feel like you have to really change anything at this point unless you and hubby discuss it and feel like you really should.  Try to keep it in perspective.  

grace

[Canuckchick]

I'm really sorry I've made you nervous. I was only telling you what I was told by the Dr who diagnosed me. Unfortunately that Dr wasn't properly informed...that's what makes this virus so scary. In the process of doing some reading on this I realized there was a lot of conflicting information and it seems that no one really knows everything about it. It makes me angry that more isn't being done about this virus. Yes, there are worse things out there...no you wont die if you have it...but your life will change and it can be very depressing. I really hope you don't have it and I would insist on being tested again...your husband too, just in case. And as others have said, get the Western Blot test done...I think that's the most conclusive one there is.

Really stupid thing...it's not readily available in Canada and you have to pay out of pocket for it. So ridiculous.

[auntiejessi]

I suggested assuming that you had it as one of a few ways to go with this.  I also suggested you might retest.

I think you need to relax.  I know its frustrating, but we are trying to help.

My life didn't change because of herpes.  Why do people keep saying that or assuming it will happen?  

Jess

[Canuckchick]

lucky you. Not everyone is that lucky tho and it did change my life. I would imagine it does for a lot of people.

[koko211]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT AND HELP.
I HAVE GREAT NEWS.
I WENT TO SEE MYD OCTOR LAST WEEK, SHE CALLED QUEST DIAGNOSTICS AND ASKED FOR THE BEST TEST AVAILABLE BY QUEST AND MOST PRECISE.

THEY DID THAT TEST.

THEY JUST CALLED ME AND SAID TEST CAME BACK POSITIVE.   NOW WVERYTHING MAKES SENSE. I K NEW IT THAT IS WHY BOTH ME AND MY HUSBAND HAVE NEVER HAD OUTBREAKS AND HIS TEST CAME BACK POSITIVE. TO EVERYONE THAT GETS TESTED POSITIVE, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU REPEAT THE TEST.

I GUESS I WONT BE HERE ANY MORE SO I WANTED TO SAY GOOD BY AND THANK EVERYONE FOR THE SUPPORT.  GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!

[koko211]

SORRY FROM THE EXCITEMENT. I TYPED WRONG. IT CAME  BACK NEGATIVE I DONT HAVE IT!!!!!

THANKS AGAIN!!!

[gracefromHHP]

You had me so confused there at first...lol.

Glad your repeat test came back negative ( and glad you came back to update folks too!!!! ).  So you and hubby celebrating tonight? ( wink, wink, nudge, nudge )

grace