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False positive?
My boyfriend noticed some small bumps on his penis and went to get tested for various std's. The results for HSV Type 2-Specific AB, IgC came back as positive at a level of 1.17 and the reference range is 0.00-.0.90.
I have read a lot on the internet about false positives if the lab results are below 3.0. Is this true? Do you think he got a false positive? Should he be retested? Thing is he did not have the blister symptoms associated with Herpes 2. Also I noticed he was not tested for Herpes Type 1. Do you think he should have been?
I have read a lot on the internet about false positives if the lab results are below 3.0. Is this true? Do you think he got a false positive? Should he be retested? Thing is he did not have the blister symptoms associated with Herpes 2. Also I noticed he was not tested for Herpes Type 1. Do you think he should have been?
Thanks doctor! By the way I meant IgG not IgC.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The 90% figure is for testing with the HerpeSelect assay which is most likely what he was tested with. You can check with the folks atr LabCorp. EWH
Not sure what the bumps are, we have been trying to figure it out. He went to a urologist who looked at it and quickly disregarded it as nothing. These bumps came up almost 2 yrs ago and they come and go on rare occasion. So this is definitely not a recent infection. Neither I nor him have ever had an outbreak nor do we know of any past partners that have had Herpes. I have been tested or herpes and have come up negative.
Does it make a difference what kit was used to test him? It doesnt say on the doctors report but I believe that they were sent to labcorp. Does the approximation of 90% apply to all kits?
I really appreciate your help on this!
Does it make a difference what kit was used to test him? It doesnt say on the doctors report but I believe that they were sent to labcorp. Does the approximation of 90% apply to all kits?
I really appreciate your help on this!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Several comments. First, what were the "bumps"? It sounds as though he was seen by a health care professional. What did he/she think they were? Had he ever had such bumps before? Did they go away and if so, after how long? If he thought they were herpes my advice might be different if he did not. You also do not give me much other information which might help me to help you - do you have herpes?, cold sores?, did you get a blood test?, what about other partners for each of you?, etc. The value of this site is that we can give situation specific suggestions.
As for his test results, in the absence of an outbreak, his test results are in a range in which most (about 90%) of results tend to be false positive. Alternatively, if the situation is such that he could have recently gotten herpes, he could be developing a more strongly positive test which would be shown by re-testing.
Testing for HSV-1 would be a good idea, as would getting yourself tested. Hope this is helpful. More information is needed. EWH
As for his test results, in the absence of an outbreak, his test results are in a range in which most (about 90%) of results tend to be false positive. Alternatively, if the situation is such that he could have recently gotten herpes, he could be developing a more strongly positive test which would be shown by re-testing.
Testing for HSV-1 would be a good idea, as would getting yourself tested. Hope this is helpful. More information is needed. EWH
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.
