equivocal hsv 2 result with negative hsv 1 interpretation

[scareduncertain]

Dear Doctor

I had a herpes select test done so that my new partner could do before we actually had sex.  I have only had one partner 3.5 years ago (it was a 4 yr monogamous relationship with both of us being virgins).  No intercourse or oral since then (just hand stuff and kissing).  Also I have been asymptomatic for any symptoms of hsv 1 or 2. my results are as follows:

HSV1 IgG less than 0.91
HSV2 IgG 1.09

HSV ratio IGM was 1.5

What I dont understand is the nurse practioner said I was HSV 2 positive but the lab form says equivocal.  I had them retest me (only being 2 weeks later).  What does an equivocal test mean? I know it can be a false positive esp in a low risk person and it could also mean an early infection.  How many days does it take from the onset of infection  for the IgG test to be positive? And what are the chances for this to be a false positive?

[auntiejessi]

Equivocal means they can't tell either way, and its good that you got the retest done.

It can take up to 4 months for the test to be positive, but many will test positive before that.

The chances are excellent for this to be a false positive.

And disregard the IgM.  Its a lousy test, and shouldn't have been done on you.

Aj

[scareduncertain]

so if my equivocal result becomes positive...does that mean its an early infection..ie the weeks before my test...or soething that could have been from 3yrs ago?

[auntiejessi]

It would probably be a new infection.

Aj

[scareduncertain]

how early can the IgG be positive?  the new relationship I am in started about 2 weeks bfore i had the first test, but we had not engaged in sex or oral sex.  Just mutual masturbtion and kissing.  Could this be him?  My last encounter with a guy before this was about 10 months ago and that was just kissing.

[scareduncertain]

also, the nurse had said that you can get hsv2 from kissing.  is that true? i thought it was very rare, but they said they see it all the time in clinic.  and my other question is that i read that some false positives for hsv 2 are due to crossreactivity with hsv 1 antibodies, but my hsv 1 was negative...are there other causes for false positives besides that?

[auntiejessi]

Well, technically, I suppose you could, but since oral hsv2 is so rare, and if you get oral hsv2, it rarely sheds and almost never recurs, it really is just out of the realm of possibility.

Yes, sometimes its just an error in testing.  Technically, yours is still equivocal, as a positive is 1.10 or above.

Aj

[auntiejessi]

Oh and until you figure out if you have it, I wouldn't worry about where you got it, since you probably don't have it.  If you had one partner, and you were both virgins, there's no way you could have gotten hsv2 unless one of you had outside partners.

If you didn't, I'm not even sure why you are testing for anything lol.

Aj

[scareduncertain]

thank you so much, i feel a lil better, but im still so scared about the results from my repeat test.  i just dont understand how it can be positive since i have been so careful with this my whole life and really played it safe.  the reason i got tested was bc in this new relationship, i didnt want to do anything until he got tested and i did it too (lets get tested together)..i would have never thought i would come up pos for anything.  now the guy doesnt want to be in a relationship and since i just moved to anew place..being lonely and scared is just making my anxiety even worse.

[auntiejessi]

You aren't positive.  Your result was 1.09.  A positive is 1.10, and even then, it is recommended to confirm anything below a 3.0 or so.

Aj

[gracefromHHP]

Personally, based on your history I wouldn't have even repeated the test again.  Now you've opened up a can of worms potentially that will result in more worry for you and possible repeated testing depending on what the repeat test shows.  As Jess already said - your result was negative. Your provider should've never ordered another test based on your recent sexual history.  Since what's done is done, when you get the results back - post them here in this thread for additional help if you need it.  

sorry to hear that your new man ran for the hills.  Did he ever get tested himself to see what his own status was? He's going to have a hard time dating if the idea of dating someone with herpes makes him panic.  It's incredibly common.

grace

[scareduncertain]

hsv 2 igg 1.71

it def went up a lot..now i dont know what to do

[gracefromHHP]

Since you haven't had sex in several years - it's probably meaningless. As I said - now you have to go for additional testing to confirm your hsv2 status.  I suggest either a biokit for hsv2 or a herpes WB blood test.  www.herpesdiagnosis.com has more info on both.

grace

[scareduncertain]

what cases have u heard more of?  a positive herpeselect with negative wb or positive wb??  esp in the case of neg hsv1.  im trying to get myself to realize this might just be another pos an to accept my fate as being infected without having sex.  and to not have false hope, and be let down again.  it would be very ironic for someone who is cautious as i am to get this from only having sex w a virgin who never cheated on me.

[gracefromHHP]

You need confirmatory testing. My guess is you really don't have hsv2 but you'll need additional testing to confirm that now.

grace