Western Blot Test

[hopeful197236]

Hi.  I was recently tested for Herpes after about 2 months of constant burning in my vulva area..started on one side, went to other than down middle and then in my vaginal opening.  Best way to describe it was like a fire under my ski.  I never had any lesions, any real pain, just discomfort and no itching.  I've had a history on and off over the last year of yeast infections as well.  Anyway I wanted the HSV testing done.  I knew I had hsv1 due to cold sores, my results came back as HSV1 - 4.04 and HSV2 - 1.84.  I know the chances of false/postives are higher with people who have HSV1.  I want to go back and get the Western Blot done but I am trying to understand exactly what makes it so accurate compared to other tests.  Doesn't it also just test for the anitbodies?  My understanding is the only way to really prove for sure you have this is to either have obvious syptoms (symptoms) or get swabbed.  So can you explain in more detail what the Western Blot really tests for?  I plan to just be tested for the HSV2 since I already know for sure I have one.  Please help, thanks.

[gracefromHHP]

I believe you've already asked this on the webmd herpes board. You got an answer there and you won't get a better answer here I can assure you.

grace

[hopeful197236]

Hi Grace, no they really didn't answer my question regarding the Western Blot and how it tests and what it tests for.  I'm trying to figure out if I should even do it or if I could get another false/positive to the HSV2.

[gracefromHHP]

I answered your question already on webmd under my betsyb1967 nickname.  I am not about to go into exact details about why the WB is different - that would take about 20 minutes of typing. Knowing that it looks into more of the igg response than the other blood tests do is adequate. If you require more details then I encourage you to call the U of washington lab yourself and ask them personally.  They get paid to go into that much detail for folks as part of their job.    I also responded on the webmd living day to day board this morning to your question there and was pretty frank about what are the next steps you need to take.

grace