I read an article on line that states that HSV PCR using spinal fluid is a good way to detect HSV when you have suspicious symptoms but you get a neg on the IgG Elisa tests. It went on to say that antibodies do not stay in the blood for life so if you are asymptomatic and the other tests don't produce results to get the PCR done because the DNA for the virus stays in your body but not in the blood.
I was diag using a swab method 17 years ago. I don't have regular symptoms for herpes. Just the bump that they swabbed, one two years previously to the swab and one 8 years later. I have had two blood tests ran for the type specific IgG 1/2 and both came back negative for both strains. (Both tests within the last 2 weeks) Should I consider a PCR from spinal fluid or can I assume that I'm virus free?
It was suggested that I also try the Western Blot but I was told that:
"If the test that Labcorp ran was the Trinity ELISA (and I suspect it was), it is a very good test when compared with Western blot. It is not quite as sensitive, however, as Western blot, especially for HSV-1 antibodies. Rarely, people with herpes (especially HSV-1) will test negative by Trinity or Focus ELISA but positive by Western blot."
Also, in the Dallas, Tx area the infectious disease physicians that I've asked (3 so far) do not do the Western Blot for herpes. Two referenced to the Elisa and one also mentioned the PCR.
If I was exposed to Herpes back in the 90's it was by oral sex and with the fact that I don't have regular or extreme outbreaks I thought that it would be HSV1.
This is what webmd states:
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. A PCR test can be done on cells or fluid from a sore or on blood or on other fluid, such as spinal fluid. PCR finds the genetic material (DNA) of the HSV virus. This test can tell the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2. The PCR test is not often done on skin sores, but it is best for testing spinal fluid, for those rare cases in which herpes may cause an infection in or around the brain.
ALSO see my post at:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/758189
Nobody has responded to it. I've tried to ask these questions of Dr Handsfield but my Visa won't go through the payment system that you use. I suspect that my card company has some kind of block against your payment system because it does work at Amazon.com.