Worth it....

[Jenny2211]

Beginning of October 2010 I had a routine STD panel done. It was the first time HSV testing was included. I have been HSV1 positive since I was a kid and my gyn never felt that it was necessary to test for HSV. I've not knowingly had a genital outbreak or was diagnosed with one. I have had issues with pimples in my vaginal area for years but that's all my gyn diagnosed them as, pimples.

The HSV test was done through LabCorp and was the HSV1 and HSV2 IgG Type Specific test:

HSV1  2.43
HSV 2  2.45

I expected the positive result on the HSV1, I had actully been dealing with more oral outbreaks throughout the past year due mostly to stress of ending a 12 year relationship, moving, a new job etc. I've had sexual encounters, but never unprotected intercourse, after my monogamous relationship had ended. I didn't know what to think and feel about being positive for HSV2. I did inform the ones I've had more intimate contact with so they could get tested as well. It could be that I had been HSV2 positive for years.

My doc put me on Vaclacyclovir 1GM daily medication right away and I have been taking it since October '10. I've not had an oral outbreak since then. Only in December did I read up more on HSV2 infection and found your website with some posts that said if one tests positive for HSV1 and the number for HSV2 is under 3.5 it could mean a false positive result and suggested re-testing.

I faxed my doc info on Biokit HSV2 and the University of Washington Western Blot HSV test and made an appointment. However my doc had 'lost' the info and was not prepared to administer either of these tests. He offered to do the LabCorp Western Blot test which is the Captia test. I agreed, I guess to get something done.

Today my doc called me with the results stating that the test came back with 'Yes' for both HSV1 and HSV2. I had tried not to be too hopeful but it still suckerpunched me a bit to receive that positive HSV2 result.

My question is if it is worth it to still follow up with either the Biokit or the U. of Washington Western Blot HSV test? Is one better than the other in my case? I almost prefer the Biokit because it would be so much faster to get the result back. It's hard to have to wait weeks for yet another test result. Is it worth it? Or should I just deal with being HSV2 positive?

I'm also not sure where I could get the Biokit test done. I'm close to Philadelphia. It looked from the website that the Biokit is only sold in packs of 20 tests to doctors. I don't think my doc would be willing to get them.

Thank you for all the great answers you've given to people, the support, knowledge and education. My doc even admitted that there isn't much focus on HSV in the medical community such as at conferences etc. And he specifically works a lot with the gay community and has specialized knowledge about HIV as well as other Stds and still didn't know about all those different HSV tests and false positive possibilities.

If you need any other information from me, please let me know.

[Jenny2211]

Thank you Grace,

I stopped by my doc's office today, provided the U. Washington form and order info and paid him for the test. I hope he called today to order it. It'll still be more waiting but I feel good about having done something...more.

And maybe I educated my doc a bit more about HSV2 testing.

I will let you know when I get the result back.

[gracefromHHP]

labcorp doesn't offer a herpes WB. The captia test isn't a westerb blot based blood test.

definitely get a herpes WB done. you can talk to your provider about you ordering the kit and them ordering it to be drawn for you at your local clinic.  

grace