Update on Lab Work

[Jazzman1950]

I posted a question about a month ago.  Since that time, I have received some test results.

Date of exposure : June 10, 2010

Dr did DNA swab test on August 30, 2010.  Lab Report from Medical Diagnostic Laboratories says as follows:

1) HSV viral load by real time PCR.  Under "Comment" section it says "Not indicated." But under the ""Results" section, it reads: "Positive."  Under section called "Reference/Units/Comments" it says "5.82 x 10^6 HSV Copies/ ml transport media."

2) Herpes subtype (HSV-1, HSV-2) by real time PCR.  Under "Comment" section it says "not indicated."  But under the "Results" section, it reads: "Positive".  Under the "Reference/Units/Comments" section it says "HSV-2."

t the bottom of the test results it states that the test has not been approved by the FDA.


Serum collection on September 20, 2010 by Quest Labs. Results dated September 22, 2010 state as follows:

HSV 1/2 IGG Herpeselect
Type specific AB
HSV 1 IGG Type Specific AB----0.18
HSV 2 IGG Type Specific AB----0.02

Index
less than 0.90---------Negative
.90-1.10 ----------------Equivocal
more than 1.10 -------Positive

My urologist reviewed these results with me and said that based upon these results, " a case can be made" that I was never exposed to Herpes.  He said that the swab test might have been a false positive and that the gold standard in testing is the serum antibody test.  He said there is no reason for me to take anti-virals.  

Please review these results and give me your opinion as to whether I do, in fact, have Herpes 1 and/or 2?  How severe is it? Could I transmit it to someone else? And, finally, should I be taking anti-virals?  

hat is trhe name of the book and where can I get a copy? Thank you

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I think there is some confusion.  The swab test is definitive.  You don't need an antibody test at this point.  I suppose if you absolutely want one, you could do it online at healthcheckusa.com  You want an IgG test.  But if you are taking antiviral therapy, you need to stop taking it now and test in 4 months.  But I want to say very very clearly that this is not necessary, and if the test is negative, it does not mean you are not infected.  

Terri

[Jazzman1950]

I forgot to answer your question. Yes, the exposure to the person was on June 10.  I developed rash within 3 days after exposure.  So June 10 is the date to count from.  I STILL have itching in the area where the rash was, but no rash or sores etc.

[Jazzman1950]

I saw in one of your previous answers to another post that you said it could take up to 4 months for enough antibodies to be produced to give an accurate reading. If  4 months is the correct window ( and I would still like you to confirm whether that is accurate) could I get a definitive serum re-test that would by calling a company on the phone? If so, who do I call? I really don't want to go back to this doctor.  Thanks.

[Jazzman1950]

If exposure date was June 10, when should I retest?  If I re-test after sufficient time passes and the numbers are that low, wouldn't it call into question the swab test result? Thanks.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I would strongly disagree with your doctor.  Clearly, your PCR is positive for HSV 2.  That means your infected with HSV 2.  It is neither severe nor not severe, it just "is".  I cannot imagine, if what you post is correct, that your doctor could come to a different conclusion.   This menas that you are both infected and infectious to others.  It also means that you likely have new infection, because you had virus present on your skin but your antibody test was negative.  This means that not enough time has passed from the time you were infected until the time the antibody testing was done.  Were you thinking that you had new infection?  Swab testing that is positive from a lesions should certainly be considered more accurate than an antibody test.  I"m sorry to be so frank with you, but you definitely need to know this!

My book can be purchased on Amazon.com (The Good News  About the Bad News)

Can I answer any more questions for you?

Terri

[Jazzman1950]

My last sentence didn't make any sense. I said that in your prior post to me you said you had written a book about Herpes.  I asked where I could get a copy.  Thanks