confused result

I had unprotected sex a women in aug of 2008 and soon after got symptoms of herpes, including a backahce and tender lymph nodes. At the same time I had a urinary track infection and soon had blisters develope on my penis which more pretty much non stop for two months or so, own outbreak would heal and another one would come up very soon.

Two months later after my last outbreak on which I used dynamiclear, I never had another outbreak. I get tingling feelings often but they disappear soon and I nothing more happens.

I got a test done (herpeselect Igg)  for hsv1 and hsv2 as soon as I had my initial symptoms and the test result was negative for both. (I forget the exact results but can find them if needed)

I then another test in march 2009 and the results were again negative for both hsv1 and two (below 0.90)

I took another test now on april 18th 2010 and have got a negative result again this test unlike the previous tests gives a value of 0.1 ISR for hsv1 and 0.2 ISR for hsv 2. The cut of value is 0.8 (above which is positve)

the test result is as follows

HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS-2 ANTIBODY ELISA                                                    Specimen-Serum

Test Value                                              0.2                                                                ISR              
Cut-Off Value                                          0.8                                                                ISR
Elisa test result                                      Negative


The hsv1 test value was 0.1

Is this test reliable ? I'am quite worried and haven't been given a conclusive answer since this saga started two years ago, Is there anyway I can be sure I have herpes or not? I have feeling by now I'll never really be sure,

Please help me with this as it has wrecked havoc on my for a long while now, I just want to know for sure , If its negative what were those blisters I got which were exactly like herpes, which began as my itching then developed in a sore which was really painful and then finally healed.

looking forward to any medical light on this situation!

[iris986]

Have they biopsied the blisters when they come up, they did my daughters and thats how they found out she was herpes positive.

[gracefromHHP]

I'm not familiar with the test you had done. Are you in the US?

grace

[notsure808]

Hi  grace,

I'm from India. I'm kind of confused cause I have never had a test result like this either, the first two were standard tests. I'll find the results from my first two tests and put them up.

Iris986 - They did not do anything like that when the blisters came up, though a physical examination was done and one doc said it wasn't herpes and another said it looked like herpes lesions,
The confusing part are the results , just wish I knew if I have it or not.

[gracefromHHP]

I am not familiar with the test you had done but odds are what you thought was herpes, wasn't.

grace

[notsure808]

ok, I'll post my test results of the first two tests as soon as I get hold of them.  An IGG test after a year coming back negative should be good enough right? I'm just really wondering if it wasn't herpes what was it since I still get prodromal symptoms like I used to when I got an outbreak but an outbreak never occurs. Is there any sure way I kind find out if I have it or not? its really messed with my head ever since I got it, if i got it!

[gracefromHHP]

you can get the area swabbed for pcr testing even without obvious lesions. talk to your provider about doing this.

grace

[notsure808]

I don't think they have a PCR test where I'm staying, How often is it that a person gets two negative tests, the first one taken recenty after infection like two weeks (igg and igm make back negative for both hsv1 and 2) and then a year later the igg  values are still below .90

and now the 3rd test which I posted which is also negative. Is it possible for  people to have repeated negative blood tests even when they have hsv2?

I still get tingling feelings but never get an outbreak now.

[notsure808]

hey grace, don't mean to be a bother but as you can see I really really want to know if I have this thing or not. Have you heard of cases where people have repeated negative tests after having outbreaks that look like herpes? What way could I be sure about the result?

[gracefromHHP]

I'm sorry but not really much else I can do to help you at this point. I'm not familiar with the test you had done to tell you the accuracy of the test.  Best thing to do is to continue going to be seen when you have symptoms at this point.

grace

[notsure808]

thanks so much for you support. I'll post my results when I get a hold of them. Really appreciate your inputs.

[notsure808]

so this is the test I got initially, possible HSV exposure was on 29.8.2008

Test date 9.9.2008

HSV - 1 Antibodies (IgG)  0.26

HSV - 1 Antibodies IgM 0.38


HSV - 2 Antibodies (IgG) 0.42

HSV - 2 Antibodies IgM 0.40


The 2nd test I did a year later had higher values for hsv2 0.79 IGG if i'm not mistaken.

I'm planning on getting another IGG test later on, if thats negative would that confirm I date have hsv?

[notsure808]

*dont

[notsure808]

Hi grace,

Any thing u could tell me after these results I posted. I also went for another test today, will get the results on monday.

[notsure808]

can anyone give me their perspective on this ??

[yi3o8]

the igg is clearly negative being well below .9

the igm is unreliable and not worth having done

Probably no need to retest at this point.

Good luck!

[yi3o8]

From your post:

I got a test done (herpeselect Igg)  for hsv1 and hsv2 as soon as I had my initial symptoms and the test result was negative for both. (I forget the exact results but can find them if needed)

---

just to clarify.. if your new test is the herpeselect as is your old one, and is still negative, there will be no need to retest later on as it has been well over 3 months since exposure and your last test; more than enough time to develop the antibodies detected by the igg test

[gracefromHHP]

you are not in the US. you are not getting done a test that I am familiar with. You'll need to find a support group in your area with someone educated on the blood tests offered in your area to help you more with this.  I do not know the sensitivity or specificity of the tests you are getting done to comment on them.

grace

[notsure808]

alright, thanks people and esp grace, I got another test done which is negative, IGG elisa, it didn't give me values but said it was negative and it is a IGG test. I have had four tests so far spaced over two years, all of which are negative. So am just going to be careful in the future!

[notsure808]

has anyone one got consistantly negative results after having symptoms of herpes?
just a question to know whether I'am the only one out there or others too have faced this problem... Would really help me to know. Thanks :)

[gracefromHHP]

best thing at this point is if you have a return of symptoms, be seen promptly for further evaluation.

grace

[notsure808]

thanks grace, I will do that if I get an ob ever again.

I just feel in a unique position cause i still dont know for sure one way or another, I mean now I will have to tell someone. I may have herpes but I have always got a negative result, don't know if that will sound more alarming than sayin hey I have herpes... fact is not knowing sucks.. never get an outbreak only prodrome of  itching feels like it gonna happen but doesn't .

so if anyone one is in the same position feel free to let me know, at least theres someone out there with a similar issue!!! I want to get over it but its easier said than done, when u don't know what to get over!

[notsure808]

Grace, would appreciate it if you could answer these questions, thank you.
Is it possible to never develop antibodies to herpes? what are the chances that this is my scenario? If i took a WB and it was negative could I be sure I don't have  it?

[gracefromHHP]

I really can't help you much with the testing you've had done since it's not a test I am familiar with. I don't think you can get a herpes WB in india but I'm not sure.  

I'm really limited at this point as to what I can do to help you.

grace

[notsure808]

just got another test done (IGG) where both hsv1 and hsv2 are still negative.. its been almost three years since my initial bout of OB's,  which was obviously something else .. so I can finally rejoice and get my sex life back and not worry that I have herpes since from all my results I clearly don't !!

Thanks for all the support on this site. Thank you Grace and everyone else who gave me the  much required feedback, when I needed it.