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Tested Equivocal for HSV, then neg, neg, then postive
I had this original post in the expert forum: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/Low-HSV-test--but-tested-positive-for-Chlamydia/show/2165164#post_10331881
I am following up on that post, since there have been some developments:
In April, I got tested for STD's and I had Chlamydia, and an equivocal test for HSV-2. The number I was given was 1.07. My doctor said they do not test for HSV-1, since so many people have it anyway. The test my doctor gave me was an HSV Type 2- Specific IgG test.
I took anti-biotics for the Chlamydia, then retested 6 weeks after initial test (8-9 week after questionable exposure). I was negative for Chlamydia and HSV-2 (below .91). Same test, HSV Type 2- Specific IgG test. This was in mid-June.
I retested 6 weeks after that, and again, everything came back negative. Same test, HSV Type 2- Specific IgG test. This was in mid-late July.
I went to a different clinic today (I live in NYC), which does an ELISA test, and which gives you a result for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. I took the test in the afternoon and they had my results ready in a few hours (which is different from the test my doctor gives me. Takes a few days for those results).
My test came back positive for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. The HSV-1 number was 6.0 and the HSV-2 number was 1.5.
At this point, I feel like I should definitely have a Western Blot test done. I do remember, at some point, reading on here (from Terri Warren) that the ELISA test is hyper sensitive and not as accurate as the IgG specific tests (though neither as accurate as the Western Blot).
I also remember her saying that a high HSV-1 result would most likely trip a positive HSV-2 response, since some of the antibodies are similar (and not distinguishable, necessarily, by the ELISA test).
My question is whether anyone else has heard of either of the downsides of the ELISA test vs. IgG specific test. Is there any validity to the HSV-1 result affecting the HSV-2 result?
Can I still contact Terri's clinic to arrange for a Western Blot (which is not easy to get in NYC)?
Thanks, in advance, for any help/insight/thoughts.
PS: I have been regularly tested (every 6 months) for the last 3 years for all STD's, since I am sexually active, single and in NYC. I have not had any outbreaks to date. I have not had any contact/response from the questionable encounter I had in April, so I still do not know of that persons history.
I am following up on that post, since there have been some developments:
In April, I got tested for STD's and I had Chlamydia, and an equivocal test for HSV-2. The number I was given was 1.07. My doctor said they do not test for HSV-1, since so many people have it anyway. The test my doctor gave me was an HSV Type 2- Specific IgG test.
I took anti-biotics for the Chlamydia, then retested 6 weeks after initial test (8-9 week after questionable exposure). I was negative for Chlamydia and HSV-2 (below .91). Same test, HSV Type 2- Specific IgG test. This was in mid-June.
I retested 6 weeks after that, and again, everything came back negative. Same test, HSV Type 2- Specific IgG test. This was in mid-late July.
I went to a different clinic today (I live in NYC), which does an ELISA test, and which gives you a result for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. I took the test in the afternoon and they had my results ready in a few hours (which is different from the test my doctor gives me. Takes a few days for those results).
My test came back positive for both HSV-1 and HSV-2. The HSV-1 number was 6.0 and the HSV-2 number was 1.5.
At this point, I feel like I should definitely have a Western Blot test done. I do remember, at some point, reading on here (from Terri Warren) that the ELISA test is hyper sensitive and not as accurate as the IgG specific tests (though neither as accurate as the Western Blot).
I also remember her saying that a high HSV-1 result would most likely trip a positive HSV-2 response, since some of the antibodies are similar (and not distinguishable, necessarily, by the ELISA test).
My question is whether anyone else has heard of either of the downsides of the ELISA test vs. IgG specific test. Is there any validity to the HSV-1 result affecting the HSV-2 result?
Can I still contact Terri's clinic to arrange for a Western Blot (which is not easy to get in NYC)?
Thanks, in advance, for any help/insight/thoughts.
PS: I have been regularly tested (every 6 months) for the last 3 years for all STD's, since I am sexually active, single and in NYC. I have not had any outbreaks to date. I have not had any contact/response from the questionable encounter I had in April, so I still do not know of that persons history.
When I spoke to Terri's clinic, she said just choose any quest lab that closest to me in nj. So I went to the lab right off the Lincoln tunnel on Kennedy blvd. if u need the address let me know and I will post it. Thanks for the good thoughts . Now the wait is a bit overwhelming as it gets closer and closer for an answer.
Btw, ur scores are pretty low and your chase is greater than mine! So good luck and God bless!
Btw, ur scores are pretty low and your chase is greater than mine! So good luck and God bless!
Thanks. Yes, I know I will have to go to NJ to do it. Did Westover suggest the place you went to or did you have a find a place yourself? Either way, I think I know what I'm getting into. Good to luck and god bless to you!
Hey Brooklyn, u can't get ur blood test for WB in ny so u have to go to nj or ct ... I just got my test on Monday 8/25 in nj using quest lab. I ordered it thru Terri's clinic and they shipped the box and prescription to the lab. I hope the lab knows what to do as the clinician looked a bit confused but I hope everything goes well. I did tell them to mske sure it goes to UW. Hope this helps! God bless, S
Is it ok to post the name of a clinic on this forum? Maybe one of the top posters can comment. I'll wait to hear from before sharing the name on here.
But, I would hesitate to recommend them. I had been tested with my regular doctor 3 times and got results that I were going in the right direction (one equiv., then neg, then neg). I just wanted to get a 2nd opinion, and now I'm back where I was with the original equivocal result (meaning I'm freaking out).
I'm also a bit weary since the testing is done on site in the clinic rather than sending it out to Quest or one of the other labs.
I think that I'm pretty set on the WB test since I may keep getting conflicting results the way I'm currently going, and it is not worth the mental stress.
My advice: try for the WB if you want the most clarity/least stress.
But, I would hesitate to recommend them. I had been tested with my regular doctor 3 times and got results that I were going in the right direction (one equiv., then neg, then neg). I just wanted to get a 2nd opinion, and now I'm back where I was with the original equivocal result (meaning I'm freaking out).
I'm also a bit weary since the testing is done on site in the clinic rather than sending it out to Quest or one of the other labs.
I think that I'm pretty set on the WB test since I may keep getting conflicting results the way I'm currently going, and it is not worth the mental stress.
My advice: try for the WB if you want the most clarity/least stress.
Is it possible to get igg results that quickly?
Would you mind sharing the clinic?
If results that fast are legit - it seems like fast service, though if they are giving false positives regularly, maybe not...
Would you mind sharing the clinic?
If results that fast are legit - it seems like fast service, though if they are giving false positives regularly, maybe not...
I appreciate the quick response Fleetwood. I'll get in contact with Westover tomorrow and see what they can suggest. I think there is a place in New Jersey that is cooperative and will pull the blood sample.
I do just need peace of mind, either way, and it seems like the WB is the only way to know for sure.
I do just need peace of mind, either way, and it seems like the WB is the only way to know for sure.
This does sound like a false positive and a WB would give you peace of mind.
ELISA is a technique for detecting IgG antibodies. Most IgG tests are ELISA tests. Herpeselect, Capital etc. are all ELISA tests. Just about every test with with a numerical result will be an ELISA test.
Sometimes there can be cross reactivity between HSV1 and HSV2 but more likely it is other protein junk sticking to the testing wells.
Westover Heights will be able to help you get a WB test, you'll need to have blood collected in another state.
ELISA is a technique for detecting IgG antibodies. Most IgG tests are ELISA tests. Herpeselect, Capital etc. are all ELISA tests. Just about every test with with a numerical result will be an ELISA test.
Sometimes there can be cross reactivity between HSV1 and HSV2 but more likely it is other protein junk sticking to the testing wells.
Westover Heights will be able to help you get a WB test, you'll need to have blood collected in another state.
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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.
