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can a positive swab but negative western blot happen?
I have a few questions:
1. If someone has a positive swab, but negative western blot, does that mean its still herpes?
2. If someone has a low IGG (less than 3.5). negative western blot, positive swab, is that even possible? If so, why does that happen?
3. If someone has a low IGG (less than 3.5), but consistently negative western blot, is that a correct result?
I have a low IGG, and I am waiting for the western blot test result. I could not swab test since it was scabbing already. But can #2 for some people?
1. If someone has a positive swab, but negative western blot, does that mean its still herpes?
2. If someone has a low IGG (less than 3.5). negative western blot, positive swab, is that even possible? If so, why does that happen?
3. If someone has a low IGG (less than 3.5), but consistently negative western blot, is that a correct result?
I have a low IGG, and I am waiting for the western blot test result. I could not swab test since it was scabbing already. But can #2 for some people?
To answer your questions:
1. Yes, a positive swab that has not been contaminated or mixed up at the lab is undoubtedly positive. The Westernblot I understand has only been proven to have missed about 10 cases of people with HSV1. I am not aware of the Westernblot missing a HSV2 infection for than 4 months from infection.
2. No one really knows, it may be that the person's antibodies do not stick the viral proteins used in the Westernblot or that the person simply doesn't produce any or enough IgG antibodies. They are only 1 of 100 aspects of the immune response to HSV. It is so exceptionally rare and pertains to HSV1.
3. Yes the Westernblot trumps, no doubt. It used the entire viral signature of HSV and not a single antigen.
1. Yes, a positive swab that has not been contaminated or mixed up at the lab is undoubtedly positive. The Westernblot I understand has only been proven to have missed about 10 cases of people with HSV1. I am not aware of the Westernblot missing a HSV2 infection for than 4 months from infection.
2. No one really knows, it may be that the person's antibodies do not stick the viral proteins used in the Westernblot or that the person simply doesn't produce any or enough IgG antibodies. They are only 1 of 100 aspects of the immune response to HSV. It is so exceptionally rare and pertains to HSV1.
3. Yes the Westernblot trumps, no doubt. It used the entire viral signature of HSV and not a single antigen.
I became positive for hsv 1 last year (oral) and this test is to confirm if I have hsv 2 or not. Can anyone of this apply to me? Or has anyone had any issue like this before with a low positive hsv 2 and a positive hsv 1? I want to make sure that I can trust the western blot test, I am very scared.
I have read about people never showing positive but have symptoms.
I have read about people never showing positive but have symptoms.
The HSV2 test is extremely accurate. The answer will be definitive. You read all sorts of stories on the net, this doesn't mean they have herpes, it usually means they don't.
Alright, so these cases happened for hsv 1 and not 2? I will be getting the results very soon and I am getting worried.
Yes excessively rare issue with WB and HSV1 only. I am not aware of any issues with HSV2, not a single case.
Fleet is correct that the only issue or cases known where the WB missed an infection deals with HSV1. I would agree about 10 cases or so where this has happened and a swab positive result confirmed an HSV1 infection with a negative WB via blood.
I would also say that for HSV2, I would take this result as definitive as well if it has been 5-6 months post exposure, as the U of W will tell you yourself that its 99% accurate if taken 6 months or beyond from exposure.
So you have a low IGG? If so, what was the score and for what type again?
Please post your results when you get them. I would be interested in seeing them.
I would also say that for HSV2, I would take this result as definitive as well if it has been 5-6 months post exposure, as the U of W will tell you yourself that its 99% accurate if taken 6 months or beyond from exposure.
So you have a low IGG? If so, what was the score and for what type again?
Please post your results when you get them. I would be interested in seeing them.
Well I can give a timeline and maybe you can decide if enough time has passed:
Oct 18 2014 - encounter
Nov 24 2014 - IGG test, and the results came next week:
hsv 1 >6
hsv 2 1.85
I went ahead and did another IGG test at the same place thinking it could be a false positive after reading online.
Dec 22 2014 - IGG test, and the results came next week:
hsv 1 >6
hsv 2 1.87
At this point I was scared and the doctor said it is herpes positive and no other tests are required. Now, when the results came back (last week of December 2014), the same week I was not feeling well and I may have gotten sick. But I noticed a bump on my penis and thought maybe this is an outbreak. I went to different clinic, and they said it isnt herpes. They took another blood test for labwork and the results came back next week (I didnt get a copy of it so I dont know the full story). I asked the nurse on phone and this is what she said:
hsv 1 8.00 (high)
hsv 2 3.1 (high)
Now at this point I was depressed and very scared of what is happening. On Jan 19 2015, I went ahead and took the hsv western blot, and maybe tomorrow I will know the results. Would you say I have waited long for this?
I thought maybe that last week of December was where I was become fully positive, and maybe the western blot would detect it. About the encounter, there was no vaginal, but there may have been oral but I dont remember. All I remember was a handjob, and I fingered her and kissed her breast. If I am showing for hsv 2, wouldnt it be possible that she may have touched her genitals and then touched my penis? And if fingered her and had fluid, wouldnt I get finger herpes? Nothing happened on my fingers.
Oct 18 2014 - encounter
Nov 24 2014 - IGG test, and the results came next week:
hsv 1 >6
hsv 2 1.85
I went ahead and did another IGG test at the same place thinking it could be a false positive after reading online.
Dec 22 2014 - IGG test, and the results came next week:
hsv 1 >6
hsv 2 1.87
At this point I was scared and the doctor said it is herpes positive and no other tests are required. Now, when the results came back (last week of December 2014), the same week I was not feeling well and I may have gotten sick. But I noticed a bump on my penis and thought maybe this is an outbreak. I went to different clinic, and they said it isnt herpes. They took another blood test for labwork and the results came back next week (I didnt get a copy of it so I dont know the full story). I asked the nurse on phone and this is what she said:
hsv 1 8.00 (high)
hsv 2 3.1 (high)
Now at this point I was depressed and very scared of what is happening. On Jan 19 2015, I went ahead and took the hsv western blot, and maybe tomorrow I will know the results. Would you say I have waited long for this?
I thought maybe that last week of December was where I was become fully positive, and maybe the western blot would detect it. About the encounter, there was no vaginal, but there may have been oral but I dont remember. All I remember was a handjob, and I fingered her and kissed her breast. If I am showing for hsv 2, wouldnt it be possible that she may have touched her genitals and then touched my penis? And if fingered her and had fluid, wouldnt I get finger herpes? Nothing happened on my fingers.
Btw, I forgot to add, when I had the encounter on Oct 18, the week later I saw scabs on the underside of my penis. I went to a clinic and they said it does not look like herpes, but when they did a swab test they said it was scabbing and they could not do it. I was sensitive in that area before all this (when she gave me a handjob), and I am not sure if it is herpes.
can anyone comment on if it was the right time to test for western blot?Fleetwood20?
Those blood test results definitely show you acquired HSV2. Your opening question suggests you had a positive PCR test, right? If so, the blood test results confirm you have HSV2 and don't need a western blot. In fact, the blood test is virtually 100% certain all by itself. You don't need a western blot.
I went to swab the same day, and when they did it after a few minutes they said it was scabbing already and couldn't do much. Is that PCR test that takes a few minutes? I saw them take considerable fluid and some yellow pus and they atill could not do it..I don't know if it means it was negative or they actually couldn't do anything with it and said it was scabbing.
I already took the western blot at jan 19, and this encounter happened at oct 18-19. What really concerns me is I took igG test and came out 1.87, and a week later I tested at a different place and came out 3.1. So you are saying this consistent, that the antibody would jump to 3.1 in a week while it went from 1.85 to 1.87 in a month? **** this life.
I already took the western blot at jan 19, and this encounter happened at oct 18-19. What really concerns me is I took igG test and came out 1.87, and a week later I tested at a different place and came out 3.1. So you are saying this consistent, that the antibody would jump to 3.1 in a week while it went from 1.85 to 1.87 in a month? **** this life.
Right this needs to end, you have multiple posts strands going everywhere. We need to focus on a correct diagnosis.
The most important question to answer is this. Have you ever (I mean ever in your life) had penetrative vaginal/anal sex, protected or not?
If you have not, then the chances of you having contracted HSV2 are negligible.
The test results are a little worrying I will confess and confirmation is needed as they are not yet conclusive in my view.
The episode in question in October last year was no risk of HSV2.
You are awaiting results of a Westernblot, that is a good thing, and the result will be definitive. Let's have no more speculation until then and we look forward to the results.
The most important question to answer is this. Have you ever (I mean ever in your life) had penetrative vaginal/anal sex, protected or not?
If you have not, then the chances of you having contracted HSV2 are negligible.
The test results are a little worrying I will confess and confirmation is needed as they are not yet conclusive in my view.
The episode in question in October last year was no risk of HSV2.
You are awaiting results of a Westernblot, that is a good thing, and the result will be definitive. Let's have no more speculation until then and we look forward to the results.
Sorry if I am going everywhere, I am very frustrated by this and I cant believe anything.
I had vaginal sex last year January, and two weeks later I got cold sores on my lips. Since then I have not had any contact except for this encounter..I am trying to figure if those scabs were hsv 1 or 2. I tested last June, and I came back positive for 1 but negative for 2. Thats why this is worrying for me.
I did see two other scabs in a different place later on but I think that is friction..I dont know if these scabs are friction as well. It could be possible that hsv 2 is acting up now?
I had vaginal sex last year January, and two weeks later I got cold sores on my lips. Since then I have not had any contact except for this encounter..I am trying to figure if those scabs were hsv 1 or 2. I tested last June, and I came back positive for 1 but negative for 2. Thats why this is worrying for me.
I did see two other scabs in a different place later on but I think that is friction..I dont know if these scabs are friction as well. It could be possible that hsv 2 is acting up now?
OK let's zero in on the issues here.
You most probably have had HSV1 since your youth and happened to have a breakout in January.
Your June tests confirm that you did not have HSV2; you never received it from any sexual encounter up to January last year.
Your October encounter was very low risk of HSV2, if any at all.
Your Westernblot should technically be taken 16 weeks post the encounter but I think 12 weeks will tell us what we need to know. If you are truly positive and triggering an IgG test, then there is every likelihood you'll trigger a positive on WB.
A negative will in my view be sufficient. You could ring to discuss the results for confirmation. People who are falsely positive on IgG trigger one of the several bands of antibodies by size that the WB looks for but are non existent on the others. Your results are individually reviewed by a scientist and many are willing to have a constructive conversation about your results.
You most probably have had HSV1 since your youth and happened to have a breakout in January.
Your June tests confirm that you did not have HSV2; you never received it from any sexual encounter up to January last year.
Your October encounter was very low risk of HSV2, if any at all.
Your Westernblot should technically be taken 16 weeks post the encounter but I think 12 weeks will tell us what we need to know. If you are truly positive and triggering an IgG test, then there is every likelihood you'll trigger a positive on WB.
A negative will in my view be sufficient. You could ring to discuss the results for confirmation. People who are falsely positive on IgG trigger one of the several bands of antibodies by size that the WB looks for but are non existent on the others. Your results are individually reviewed by a scientist and many are willing to have a constructive conversation about your results.
Thank you very much for the explanation! I would like if they could explain the results IF it is negative!
The only reason my alarm bells having been ringing is when I took the third test..I could not believe the hsv 2 jumped from 1.87 to 3.1..there was a 9 day between them. I could not get a copy but the numbers were told by someone on the phone and that was it.
The only reason my alarm bells having been ringing is when I took the third test..I could not believe the hsv 2 jumped from 1.87 to 3.1..there was a 9 day between them. I could not get a copy but the numbers were told by someone on the phone and that was it.
And when I tested the same iGG test for 1 and 2 there was a month gap..1.85 to 1.87. The third test was done at a different place, and I dont know what test it was.
Are you sure it was an IgG test.
Each test has a different control level and some manual procedures such that variations are normal and to be expected.
It is hard to speculate, I know Howard suggested this looks like a new infection but I'm not quite in that camp yet.
You have done all you can and wisely sought the Westernblot. Let's work on those results when through. This should be any day now?
Each test has a different control level and some manual procedures such that variations are normal and to be expected.
It is hard to speculate, I know Howard suggested this looks like a new infection but I'm not quite in that camp yet.
You have done all you can and wisely sought the Westernblot. Let's work on those results when through. This should be any day now?
Yeah it should be by this week. I don't know if it was igG, I figured if she is giving me numbers then it would be an igG. I didn't ask for copy.
I got the results and it is positive for 1 and 2.
I guess that massage parlor was really a life changing experience..I regretted what I did so much and I wish I could take that back, but nope. Life isnt going to care.
My depression is pretty bad as it is and I cant take it anymore. I will exit out of life tonight.
I guess that massage parlor was really a life changing experience..I regretted what I did so much and I wish I could take that back, but nope. Life isnt going to care.
My depression is pretty bad as it is and I cant take it anymore. I will exit out of life tonight.
it was western blot..and that is it right? When I said life earlier I did not mean you life360, its life that I have and dealt with.
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
