Aa
Blood Test Results - Confusion
My wife and I have been together for 1.5 years. In July 2005 my wife noticed bumps and lessions on her vagina, a culture was done 5 days after the initial outbreak and came back negative for HSV.
About 4 weeks later, in August 2005, she suffered a similar outbreak, same location, same type of lessions. We had a culture/swab done within 2 days of her first noticing this second outbreak and it came back positive for HSV-2.
During the August doctor's visit we both had a Herpeselect test done. The test results were:
Wife: HSV1 >5.00 EIA, HSV2 .58 EIA.
Me: HSV1 >5.00 EIA, HSV2 .03 EIA.
We had both had always assumed that we had HSV-1 orally due to frequent and recurring oral outbreaks; we both experienced these oral outbreaks prior to our relationship. So the HSV-1 test result was of no surprise to either of us. But the HSV-2 blood test and culture swab result confused us.
Neither of us had ever experienced an outbreak in the genital region prior to July 2005 and I have yet to experience an outbreak or symptoms. We trust each other and I have not ventured outside the relationship in our 1.5 years together. We have just assumed that one or both of our blood tests came back as a false-negative. Since this was her initial outbreak I can understand why her blood test would not yet show positive for HSV-2, but if I am to assume that I have been carrying HSV-2 for over 1.5 years would my blood test not have come back positive?
Is it possible that if I were a HSV-2 carrier that I would have received a false negative blood test?
Since she tells me that she has been faithful I believe that this is the only answer, that I had a false-negative blood test for HSV-2, which given that I have only been with her and only her sexually for the past 1.5 years means I have been carrying HSV-2 for quite some time.
I suggested that we take another blood test, because of the confusion and our lack of faith in our primary and OBGYN after they told us we could have contracted HSV-2 via a toilet seat. My wife was not receptive to the idea, she was concerned that if we received the same test results again, both negative for HSV-2 that I would think that she had cheated. At the time when I suggested the additional blood tests I was concerned that the primary doctor who administered the viral culture may have botched it and we would be living under the false assumption that she has HSV-2, I wanted additional validation that she did in fact have HSV-2, no point in treating something that you don't have. My wife did respond to Famvir treatment and suffered considerably less during the second outbreak in August then she did in the initial untreated outbreak in July. So at this point we are living under the belief that my wife has HSV-2, genital. So now my interest has turned to how she could have contracted it and was I the one that gave it to her?
Thanks for the site, it has been a wonderful sourec of information in a time of confusion.
About 4 weeks later, in August 2005, she suffered a similar outbreak, same location, same type of lessions. We had a culture/swab done within 2 days of her first noticing this second outbreak and it came back positive for HSV-2.
During the August doctor's visit we both had a Herpeselect test done. The test results were:
Wife: HSV1 >5.00 EIA, HSV2 .58 EIA.
Me: HSV1 >5.00 EIA, HSV2 .03 EIA.
We had both had always assumed that we had HSV-1 orally due to frequent and recurring oral outbreaks; we both experienced these oral outbreaks prior to our relationship. So the HSV-1 test result was of no surprise to either of us. But the HSV-2 blood test and culture swab result confused us.
Neither of us had ever experienced an outbreak in the genital region prior to July 2005 and I have yet to experience an outbreak or symptoms. We trust each other and I have not ventured outside the relationship in our 1.5 years together. We have just assumed that one or both of our blood tests came back as a false-negative. Since this was her initial outbreak I can understand why her blood test would not yet show positive for HSV-2, but if I am to assume that I have been carrying HSV-2 for over 1.5 years would my blood test not have come back positive?
Is it possible that if I were a HSV-2 carrier that I would have received a false negative blood test?
Since she tells me that she has been faithful I believe that this is the only answer, that I had a false-negative blood test for HSV-2, which given that I have only been with her and only her sexually for the past 1.5 years means I have been carrying HSV-2 for quite some time.
I suggested that we take another blood test, because of the confusion and our lack of faith in our primary and OBGYN after they told us we could have contracted HSV-2 via a toilet seat. My wife was not receptive to the idea, she was concerned that if we received the same test results again, both negative for HSV-2 that I would think that she had cheated. At the time when I suggested the additional blood tests I was concerned that the primary doctor who administered the viral culture may have botched it and we would be living under the false assumption that she has HSV-2, I wanted additional validation that she did in fact have HSV-2, no point in treating something that you don't have. My wife did respond to Famvir treatment and suffered considerably less during the second outbreak in August then she did in the initial untreated outbreak in July. So at this point we are living under the belief that my wife has HSV-2, genital. So now my interest has turned to how she could have contracted it and was I the one that gave it to her?
Thanks for the site, it has been a wonderful sourec of information in a time of confusion.
Hello Forum,
My test results was that of the Home Access Variety & the only test FDA approved. So that is why I was unsure about a Western Blot that the forum asked me about. I called the # to inquire and a western blot was done. And yes it was. These tests are purchased at any major drug store and claim to be 99.9% accurate. However I needed only the test results to confirm what I already knew; only because of the seroconversion of my body that took place after witnessing first hand the ugly rash that appeared on my body. See posting on 8/28-(Rashes) I experienced just about every symptom of Primary HIV infection. It was like a nightmare that never ended. I have dropped 12 pounds, and still lack appetite as this (loss of appetite) is a symptom.
This sample was actually taken at the 27 day mark and recieved on the 31 day mark via phone call. This is the same test that I tested negative after submitting a blood sample at the 12 day mark after sleeping with this woman.
I couldn't fathom the idea of knowingly infecting someone. This woman didn't care. All I can do is pray for her and anyone she comes in contact with. My actions were wreckless, and I have no one to blame but myself. I am now seeking the best medical insurance before seeing a doctor and having them personally test me again.
I have no on to share this with except this forum. I am afraid that every other person will allienate me, and/or view me differently. So this forum serves as a release and sort of a therapy that I can't get anywhere else. A
All I can say is be careful out there. If you knew my demographics, you wouldn't figure that this sort of thing could happen to me; but it did.
My test results was that of the Home Access Variety & the only test FDA approved. So that is why I was unsure about a Western Blot that the forum asked me about. I called the # to inquire and a western blot was done. And yes it was. These tests are purchased at any major drug store and claim to be 99.9% accurate. However I needed only the test results to confirm what I already knew; only because of the seroconversion of my body that took place after witnessing first hand the ugly rash that appeared on my body. See posting on 8/28-(Rashes) I experienced just about every symptom of Primary HIV infection. It was like a nightmare that never ended. I have dropped 12 pounds, and still lack appetite as this (loss of appetite) is a symptom.
This sample was actually taken at the 27 day mark and recieved on the 31 day mark via phone call. This is the same test that I tested negative after submitting a blood sample at the 12 day mark after sleeping with this woman.
I couldn't fathom the idea of knowingly infecting someone. This woman didn't care. All I can do is pray for her and anyone she comes in contact with. My actions were wreckless, and I have no one to blame but myself. I am now seeking the best medical insurance before seeing a doctor and having them personally test me again.
I have no on to share this with except this forum. I am afraid that every other person will allienate me, and/or view me differently. So this forum serves as a release and sort of a therapy that I can't get anywhere else. A
All I can say is be careful out there. If you knew my demographics, you wouldn't figure that this sort of thing could happen to me; but it did.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
jaxnoles: Obviously it changes the probabilities if your wife has had other partners. Certainly in non-mongamous settings, recent introduction of a new infection by one partner or the other is more likely than the lab error explanation.
JohnnyV: If you doc thinks your penile "bumps" don't look like herpes, that's probably reliable, and I see no reason to doubt the blood test result, regardless of your sexual history. But if the "bumps" actually are transient for a few days at a time, especially if they recur on the same part of the penis and/or evolve from bumps to blisters to sores, then you should be retested.
wendo, JohnnyV: I wouldn't worry too much about Mackia. It is not believable that he was given an unconfirmed positive HIV ELISA result. The lab almost certainly would not have informed the doc, let alone the patient, that an HIV test was positive before confirmatory testing was done. If Mackia is truthful about being HIV positive, it is a confirmed result.
HHH, MD
JohnnyV: If you doc thinks your penile "bumps" don't look like herpes, that's probably reliable, and I see no reason to doubt the blood test result, regardless of your sexual history. But if the "bumps" actually are transient for a few days at a time, especially if they recur on the same part of the penis and/or evolve from bumps to blisters to sores, then you should be retested.
wendo, JohnnyV: I wouldn't worry too much about Mackia. It is not believable that he was given an unconfirmed positive HIV ELISA result. The lab almost certainly would not have informed the doc, let alone the patient, that an HIV test was positive before confirmatory testing was done. If Mackia is truthful about being HIV positive, it is a confirmed result.
HHH, MD
I haven't heard anything more about Mackia; I have no way to contact him other than this forum.
At any rate I hope he's doing well.
J
At any rate I hope he's doing well.
J
Johnny,
Have you heard from Mackia and his test results? I was just wondering, I couldn't post to the orignal thread b/c its closed. Just wondering if he a confirmatory WB.
Wendo
Have you heard from Mackia and his test results? I was just wondering, I couldn't post to the orignal thread b/c its closed. Just wondering if he a confirmatory WB.
Wendo
Hi,
Reading over your advice to Jaxnoles, I wonder if I should have a repeat test as well. I got my Herpes test results, and I came back neg on HSV-2 and positive on HSV-1. My PCP said that my penis bumps don't look like oral herpes, and I have had gum sores to explain HSV-1, so he is certain that my penis never got any STDs.
My female partner, who is pregnant, goes in for testing next week.
I just don't feel confident in the test results, because I had a sordid past; over 15 years I had sex (oral, anal, and vaginal) with well over 200 people, both male and female, all extremely high risk people in New York City. I'd have to have a penis of steel not to get an STD with that record. Would you recommend another test, since your reply to Jaxnoles indicates that some Herpes tests can be inaccurate?
Thanks again for the website. I can't believe you have time to answer all these questions.
J
Reading over your advice to Jaxnoles, I wonder if I should have a repeat test as well. I got my Herpes test results, and I came back neg on HSV-2 and positive on HSV-1. My PCP said that my penis bumps don't look like oral herpes, and I have had gum sores to explain HSV-1, so he is certain that my penis never got any STDs.
My female partner, who is pregnant, goes in for testing next week.
I just don't feel confident in the test results, because I had a sordid past; over 15 years I had sex (oral, anal, and vaginal) with well over 200 people, both male and female, all extremely high risk people in New York City. I'd have to have a penis of steel not to get an STD with that record. Would you recommend another test, since your reply to Jaxnoles indicates that some Herpes tests can be inaccurate?
Thanks again for the website. I can't believe you have time to answer all these questions.
J
Thank you. Additional testing is unlikely since my wife was not in favor of it and I want us to deal with this together. I think I understand all of your comments, and I greatly appreciate them, it sounds like anything is possible, but maybe just not probable. And that is what is disheartening, not being able to find absolute resolution. I am not absolutely certain of my wife's faithfulness and have had suspicions and the way these test results came out seemingly turned me upside down.
From what I have read, positive culture tests are pretty good evidence of HSV2, if not definite. Herpeselect tests are the most reliable herpes test on the market. If you want another test to be certain of reliability, they you can do so. But I believe that herpeselect tests are very reliable and the culture is the confirmation of HSV2.
I have read on different websites that some people will never have an outbreak, that they are carriers of the virus not knowing they have it. This may have been the case for you, may not have been.
Anyway, herpes is not the end of the world. A large percentage of adults have it. Some people get the virus, have 1 or two outbreaks and never get it again. I have even read cases where peoples immune systems build high enough antibodies against the virus to kill it out of their system.
I have read on different websites that some people will never have an outbreak, that they are carriers of the virus not knowing they have it. This may have been the case for you, may not have been.
Anyway, herpes is not the end of the world. A large percentage of adults have it. Some people get the virus, have 1 or two outbreaks and never get it again. I have even read cases where peoples immune systems build high enough antibodies against the virus to kill it out of their system.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
What an upsetting situation for you; I understand your concern. Since you are certain in your mutual mongamy, my responses assume that is accurate.
First, forget the toilet seat business. Your wife's doctor should know better. The non-sexual transmission excuse (moist towels, shared bathing suits, toilet seats) evolved before the modern understanding of asymptomatic viral shedding and the potential for the first symptoms being delayed some months or even years after acquisition--so face-saving explanations made sense when someone who was truly monogamous (or not sexually active at all) showed up with an apparently new infection.
As to what is going on, there are two possible explanations: false-negative HSV-2 blood test results in either or both you and your wife; or an error was made in distinguishing HSV-2 from HSV-1 in the viral isolate. I favor the latter. In another thread a couple of weeks ago, I said that distinguishing HSV-1 from -2 is pretty basic and lab errors are rare. However, I supsect it is more likely than BOTH you and your wife having false-negative HerpeSelect results; and your blood tests are entirely compatible with this being an HSV-1 genital infection, likely transmitted by oral sex.
I suggest you follow up on both possibilities, however. First, double check with the lab, or have your doctor do it, to make sure the virus really was HSV-2. If they happen to still have the isolate, say saved in a freezer, they can check it out again. Also, if or when your wife has a recurrent outbreak, have another culture (within a day of onset, if possible).
Second, have another blood drawn on both of you, and ask your doctor to have the lab send the specimen directly to the Focus company; when the result of their test is in question, the company has been happy to do special tests at no additional cost to sort out the truth. Alternatively, you can have your blood sent to a reference laboratory, such as the University of Washington clinical labs in Seattle, and ask for an HSV Western blot test. WB remains the ultimate gold standard in HSV antibody testing. Of course, these steps will be unnecessary if it turns out the viral isolate is HSV-1 after all.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
First, forget the toilet seat business. Your wife's doctor should know better. The non-sexual transmission excuse (moist towels, shared bathing suits, toilet seats) evolved before the modern understanding of asymptomatic viral shedding and the potential for the first symptoms being delayed some months or even years after acquisition--so face-saving explanations made sense when someone who was truly monogamous (or not sexually active at all) showed up with an apparently new infection.
As to what is going on, there are two possible explanations: false-negative HSV-2 blood test results in either or both you and your wife; or an error was made in distinguishing HSV-2 from HSV-1 in the viral isolate. I favor the latter. In another thread a couple of weeks ago, I said that distinguishing HSV-1 from -2 is pretty basic and lab errors are rare. However, I supsect it is more likely than BOTH you and your wife having false-negative HerpeSelect results; and your blood tests are entirely compatible with this being an HSV-1 genital infection, likely transmitted by oral sex.
I suggest you follow up on both possibilities, however. First, double check with the lab, or have your doctor do it, to make sure the virus really was HSV-2. If they happen to still have the isolate, say saved in a freezer, they can check it out again. Also, if or when your wife has a recurrent outbreak, have another culture (within a day of onset, if possible).
Second, have another blood drawn on both of you, and ask your doctor to have the lab send the specimen directly to the Focus company; when the result of their test is in question, the company has been happy to do special tests at no additional cost to sort out the truth. Alternatively, you can have your blood sent to a reference laboratory, such as the University of Washington clinical labs in Seattle, and ask for an HSV Western blot test. WB remains the ultimate gold standard in HSV antibody testing. Of course, these steps will be unnecessary if it turns out the viral isolate is HSV-1 after all.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
