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false positive HSV2?!
My last blood test was 2/2013 and I was negative for HSV2 and now my recent blood test was 2/2015 and it was positive for HSV2 my result was 1.48 but I've never had any breakouts. Could this be right? Should I re-test? My doctor says that it means I've been exposed to herpes.
There are no data on HIV1 score in relation to interpretation of a low positive HSV2 result.
There are pros and cons of the various approaches to working this out. You outline some of them.
I still predict ladderry will turn out not to have HSV2. Probably you as well.
There are pros and cons of the various approaches to working this out. You outline some of them.
I still predict ladderry will turn out not to have HSV2. Probably you as well.
I know you mean well, dude, but c'mon. Especially likely false? At 1.48, let's call that 1.5...NIH found from 1.5-2.0 a confirm rate of 45% on scores at this level. This isn't "especially likely" to be false. It's nearly about as likely as not.
Even if it's 30%, which I think might be fair, this isn't something to discount.
It's entirely possible to be asymptomatic and positive scoring. I, myself, am presently sitting on a 1.74 HSV2 score, going for a Biokit tomorrow morning. Never had a symptom. Was negative to everything 1 year ago. It happens.
People have told me up and down on here and elsewhere that there's nothing to worry about, my scores are "especially likely" to be false- the problem with that is that they are not especially likely; it's a coin toss at best.
the OP needs to state what the HSV1 score was...there is anecdotal evidence that confirmed HSV1 scores can affect HSV2 results, even in WB. But to my knowledge, nobody has studied the rate of effect. WB will require waiting longer, Biokit is a faster-to-detection assay than ELISA even.
Even if it's 30%, which I think might be fair, this isn't something to discount.
It's entirely possible to be asymptomatic and positive scoring. I, myself, am presently sitting on a 1.74 HSV2 score, going for a Biokit tomorrow morning. Never had a symptom. Was negative to everything 1 year ago. It happens.
People have told me up and down on here and elsewhere that there's nothing to worry about, my scores are "especially likely" to be false- the problem with that is that they are not especially likely; it's a coin toss at best.
the OP needs to state what the HSV1 score was...there is anecdotal evidence that confirmed HSV1 scores can affect HSV2 results, even in WB. But to my knowledge, nobody has studied the rate of effect. WB will require waiting longer, Biokit is a faster-to-detection assay than ELISA even.
So it's especially likely your HSV2 result is false. You can sort this out any of 3 ways, not mutually exclusive: repeat standard test (same lab, same test) -- if now a definite negative (under 0.9). you can take it to the bank; find a doctor or clinic where they do the BiokitUSA test -- if negative that will confirm you aren't infected; or have an HSV Western blot, the ultimate gold standard in HSV blood tests -- but also the most expensive.
The most common HSV2 blood test (HerpeSelect, done routinely at Quest labs) is not reliably positive except at value of 3.5 and higher. So even though your result is technically positive, it is unlikely you are infected -- especially in view of your negative result 2 years ago and no symptoms since then. The chance your result is falsely positive is even higher if the HSV1 test was positive. (Even if not reported to you, almost always HSV1 and HSV2 are both tested automatically. Check with your doctor and/or the lab.)
There is no such thing as a test showing you were "exposed" to herpes. You're infected or you aren't, and that's all the test shows.
There is no such thing as a test showing you were "exposed" to herpes. You're infected or you aren't, and that's all the test shows.
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
