What are the odds of a false positive?

[devasted]

This has mean an emotional and painful few weeks.  I was recently told (3 weeks ago) by my GYN that I tested positive for hsv2 antibodies.  I was horrified and surprised as I have never experienced sores in my genital area (and I didnt know I was getting tested for it in the first place; but luckily I did).  I went to another doctor and received the same result.  I asked for a copy of the lab results and it read...

Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 & 2 IGG (Herpeselect) & IGG
HSV2 = 2.30
HSV1 = 5.90

I have been getting cold sores for 10 years so I wasnt surprised about the HSV1.  I am considering ordering the western blot kit because of the HSV2 result, as I've read that this is the clearest test.  

1st question - Is there a chance that this could be a false positive?  

2nd question - If it turns out to be accurate, will those numbers increase over time, if so, what does that mean?

  

[gracefromHHP]

Getting the WB to confirm your hsv2 status is the best course of action. If your provider uses quest labs it's test #34534.

How long ago did you last have sex prior to testing?  

grace

[devasted]

I had sex during the 3rd week of August.  My doctor stated that it couldn't have been from that occasion.  My doctor uses Accurate diagnostic labs.  I called UWashington and they mail the test to the provider.  I think Im too far for them. Im in NJ.  But I rather deal with someone who is used to administering this test.

[gracefromHHP]

It's incredibly easy for your provider to order the blood to be drawn and put into tubes and spun down to send to them. No worries there.

However since you just had sex a month ago, you need to wait to do the WB 4 months after the last time you had sex. No sense doing it now if this is a newly acquired infection potentially.

grace

[devasted]

Ok I will wait, thanks.  

Also, do you  know if the number increase over time and if they do, what does that mean?

[gracefromHHP]

If this was newly acquired then the results very well might be higher the next time and reflect a most likely recently acquired infection.

grace

[gracefromHHP]

it doesn't keep going up and up though.

For instance, I've had hsv2 for over 20 years. When I had a type specific test done it was like 3.20 or something.  If it had been a general screening for me, I would've had to confirm it with additional testing too but I already knew for sure I had hsv2.

make more sense I hope?

grace

[devasted]

Yep, I understand