Questions about Western Blot Test

OK, back in College I did the responsible thing and took a Herpes test. The test I took at the school came back positive, a year later I took the test again at my local doctor and got another positive result. I don't recall which test it was, but I believe the HerpesSelect test is the most common one, so I would assume that was the test I was given.

After the 2nd test I began taking Valtrex. But both before and during the time I've taken Valtrex I don't think I've ever had an outbreak of Herpes, I've never seen any genital lesions or had any coldsores. So I've always wondered if there is a chance that I don't really have Herpes. I think at the time of my 2nd test my doctor mentioned there were other tests available that could confirm or deny the HerpesSelect test, but he didn't have access to them.

So since I've never had any visual signs of herpes, is there a chance that the Western Blot test may show that I don't actually have Herpes. Is Western Blot more accurate then Herpes Select? I would love to be able to stop taking Valtrex and having this thing hang over my head.

[gracefromHHP]

Any way you can get a hold of either of your blood test results to post here?

The WB is considered the gold standard of herpes blood testing. It is a good test to use to rule out false positives on other tests.

grace

[tar83]

Just got my Herpes Select 2 results from my doctor that was administered in 2005. He said it was a 4.0, is that a low or high result? He said he'd be fine administering the Western Blot test if I order it.

[gracefromHHP]

I'd get the WB and be sure. A result of 4 is still within the false positive range and since you've never had symptoms it's best to confirm your status.

If your doctor uses quest labs it's test #34534.

grace

[worried_mom66]

Only trust the Western Blot!  

My teenage daughter finally received the accurate test results we had been awaiting, six months after her outbreak of what we had always believed to be vaginal shingles. The doctors all insisted it had to be herpes.  Sure, vaginal shingles is referred to as "very rare", but it can, and did occur with my daughter.  After too many false "positive" herpes select tests, I refused this cheap and INACCURATE blood test and insisted that her doctor request a Western Blot kit from U of washington - http://depts.washington.edu/rspvirus/herpes.htm  

NEGATIVE NEGATIVE NEGATIVE - no doubts, no questions, well worth the extra cost that our insurance company did not cover.