Test Interpretations

[suzig990]

Hello all -

I've seen several similar situations to mine, but I'm still uneasy about my test results.  My boyfriend called me the other day and told me that he tested positive for Herpes, and that his count is high enough that it looks like he's got an active infection.  He got tested because his ex-fiance recently told him that she exposed him to herpes.  Neither he nor I have had any breakouts, unless we didn't know about it because it was internal.  We're long distance and it's been 10 weeks since I had unprotected sex with him.  He didn't give me any additional info, i.e. type of test, count, etc.

I had a full STD workup done.  All was negative except for HSV antibodies.  My GYN was adamant that it doesn't mean anything, and that it didn't differentiate between HSV-1 and HSV-2.  I asked her to mail the results to me.  They were done through Quest and results are as follows:


HSV 1-2 IGG HERPESELECT AB

Herpes AB Type 1 IGG  - 0.33 Index Value
Negative: Less than 0.90
Equivocal: 0.90 - 1.10
Positive: Greater than 1.10

Herpes AB Type 2 IGG  - 0.11 Index Value
Negative: Less than 0.90
Equivocal: 0.90 - 1.10
Positive: Greater than 1.10


HSV IGM AB w/RFX to Titer

HSV IGM AB Screen - DETECTED Flag A
Reference range: NOT DETECTED


HSV IGM AB Titer

HSV IGM AB - 1.10 Titer Flag A
Reference Range: <1:10 titer


Obviously, she did order the type-specific IGG tests.  I'm an educated person, and I've done a lot of surfing around this forum.  I think, based on all of the good information from this site, that I'm negative based on the IGG results.  Am I reading this right?  Maybe my GYN is obligated to tell me about the results of the IGM in spite of the IGG?  They're contradictory.  My husband and I separated about 9 months ago and are now talking about reconciling, so this is really important for me to fully understand.

Thanks so much in advance for your help!

[gracefromHHP]

the herpes igm is a greatly flawed test and your provider actually should've never drawn it on you.   encourage your provider to read the 2010 cdc herpes guidelines to update their herpes testing information.

is it likely you have herpes?  no it is not. Definitely cover your bases though and repeat your testing, along with any other std testing you need done at the 3 month mark.

has your spouse had other partners? Have they had full std testing too?

grace

[petal130]

Still, assume nothing. If your husband has never been tested to know his herpes status, now is the time to be certain, so you both know statuses. Also, assuming your boyfriend truly has herpes, realize that people can go months, even years, without transmitting herpes to their partner. So don't be too surprised that you're most likely negative :-)

[suzig990]

Thanks, that's what I thought, so I'm feeling a little better.  See the problem is that it's the boyfriend (since the husband and I separated) that is claiming to have exposed me, and now my husband and I are talking about getting back together.  If I do have Herpes, then I'd be obligated to tell him that I've picked it up since we've been separated.  I definitely don't want to do that unless it truly is positive and I would be exposing him.

Looking forward to Grace's thoughts.

To both of you - it's very gracious of you to spend your free time counseling people like me :-).

[petal130]

Grace can help you fully interperet your test results, but it does appear based on your IgG that in fact you are negative. It is recommended however that the test is done 3 months after any possible transmission encounter, so you may want to retake it at that point. However, being negative at 10 weeks most likely means it will be negative at your 3 month mark - most would show positive by 10 weeks if in fact they were. Obviously it would make sense that your husband would need to be tested to know his status as well.

[will1156]

What does an A flag mean? What makes the results abnormal and not high or low?