Results confusion?

Hi there.
I’ll start from the beginning.
My memory is not exact on this, but when I was in my late teens (or possibly even early teens and pre-teen) I had cold sores.  I also remember that my mother had occasional cold sores.
Back then it was not a concern, it was something that happened usually in the winter time and in my late teens/early 20’s about once a year.
In the late teens I knew it was herpes and always assumed that it was the more common HSV-1 as I had not been in a sexual relation yet.

I started having sexual relations when I was 21, and since then had about 12-14 partners. I used condoms (except for 3 partners occasionally) but there was unprotected oral sex and The cold sore outbreaks have been pretty steady- once a year normally (again usually winter time).
Last year though- it happened more than once, I know 2 for sure, maybe 3.
I have never had any outbreaks that would lead me to believe that I have genital Herpes, never any bumps or rashes to talk of.

Recently I had a lab do some STD/HIV tests (urine/ blood) and when I got the results I was sure I’d see positive for HSV-1 and hoping for a negative HSV-2.
However- the results confused me.
It said that HSV-1 was negative and HSV-2 was positive.
My first reaction was that it must be wrong- I NEVER had any genital signs..
I read that HSV-2 can sometimes show up outside its normal outbreak area (near and on genitals) but that its very uncommon and that the rate of occurrence is extremely uncommon. Cold sores for me have been plenty (as described above) yet never any other signs. None of my partners have shown signs of anything either.
Does someone have some input on this, is there a risk for confusion with HSV testing, should I re-do my test or does this (despite my small research so far) seem normal?
The test results below:
HSV-1 igG ANTIBODY (IMM) ((0.09)) (Reference number 0.00-0.89)
REFERENCE INTERVAL: HSV 1/2
<0.90: Negative – An index value of 1.10: Positive – An index value of >1.10 is presumptive for the presence of IgG antibodies to HSV

I thank you in advance for any input.

[gracefromHHP]

even the best herpes blood tests still miss 1 out of every 10 hsv1 infections. You know you have a well established history of cold sores. you know you have hsv1 orally. you have absolutely no reason to think that it's actually hsv2 orally that you have.

condoms only reduce the risk of herpes by 30%. you can't count on them to mean that your hsv2 couldn't be genital.

you only posted hsv1 results.  what were your hsv2 results?

grace

[mikeintexas1]

Thanks for your response Grace

accidentally got HSV results removed

HSV-2 igG Antibody (IMM)  ((1.47  H))  Reference number 0.00-0.89
REFERENCE INTERVAL: HSV 1/2
>1.10: Positive- presumptive for the presence of igG antibodies to HSV

[gracefromHHP]

that's a low positive hsv2 igg and it'll need confirmed with additional testing to see if it's a true positive or not.

when was the last time you had sex prior to the blood test?

Do you have a regular partner and if so, have they been tested yet?

grace

[mikeintexas1]

Oh, I thought it seemed high, but then again, I'm not sure whats really high and low.

It had been about 3-4 weeks since i last had sex before test.
There were 2 partners within a longer period of time and they have not tested yet.

I suppose that I should test again but from what I read there's a LOT of confusion.. I dont feel like I get more informed the more I read about peoples results and how they change a lot.  It seems like theres a lot of standards too

[gracefromHHP]

At this point I'd wait another 2 or 3 months and repeat your hsv2 igg and see what it shows. if this is a newly acquired infection, you could still be seroconverting and perhaps your next test will be out of the false positive range. If your repeat test is still a low positive, then unless you've had obvious symptoms to culture and confirm that you have hsv2, you'll need a herpes WB or a biokit hsv2 igg to confirm your hsv2 status at that time.  

[mikeintexas1]

Thanks again Grace,

I think I'll take that advice and check it in a few months..
What exactly is the Herpes WB and Biokit?
Very expensive etc since it seems to be the ultimate answer?

[gracefromHHP]

biokit usually runs about $45 for the test. doesn't include a doctor's office fee.

WB is ~ $150  without doctor's visit fees or lab fees tacked on.  

both tests look at a different part of the igg response to herpes infections than the herpeselect does.