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Difference between neg igg OD values

Hi Doc, I just received my IGg  score which was positive for hsv1(2.46) and a .72neg score for hsv2.  Two years ago my hsv2 score was .20 neg.  My latest test was 4 weeks after possible exposure.  Can the OD value vary quite a bit each test when it falls below .91 or is this a potential sign of early detection and will shortly build over 1.1?  I also took a biokit which showed negative at 5 weeks.
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the forum.  Sorry to hear you remain so concerned about herpes despite the reassuring advice you had from Dr. Hook!

The OD value for the HSV antibody test (and also for other tests using the same technology) indeed varies a lot from one test to another.  There is absolutely no difference between your earlier value of 0.20 and your more recent one of 0.72.  Any value below the cut-off is negative, period.  Even the very same blood specimen, tested 10 times, will give 10 different values.  There is absolutely no difference between your earlier value of 0.20 and your more recent one of 0.72.

Given your symptoms that don't suggest herpes, plus consistent negative values both on your HerpeSelect test and Biokit, you can be completly confident you are not infected with HSV-2.

Regards-- HHH, MD
Helpful - 1
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Herpes never causes skin tags or anything like them.

That's definitely all for this discussion.  Please re-read all of my comments above and concentrate.  Then move on without worry about herpes.  Further anxiety driven comments will result in immediate deletion of the entire thread.
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Avatar universal
Hi Doc,  

I wanted to give you an update and if you would allow ask another question..

I ended up with a Uro who performed a DRE and had a high WBC in my prostatic fluid so I am now on Bactrim for prostatis.  Unfortunately I also developed a single skin tag like bump on my penis that developed into a scab like bump but had no liquid at any time...  I believe I read that if I was to have a herpetic lesion develop initially it would happen within 2 weeks not at 10 weeks.  Is that correct?  Can I be safe to assume that the bump was not herpetic, I just panicked because it changed within 24 hours and has been a healing stage for 7 days now...
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Avatar universal
Thank You for your quick response.
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
That's too little anti-HSV drug to have any effect on the blood test results.

That's definitely all for this thread.  Time for both of us to move along.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
sorry, I know you want this thread to end but one last question.

1.  Do you think me taking a 4 day dose of famvir of 500mg(3x daily) at week 2 would possibly delay seroconversion or is that more for daily antivirals?

Thanks in advance.
Helpful - 0
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Blunt talk doesn't suggest I was "disturbed".  Just trying to knock some objectivtiy into your thinking.  Call it tough love.
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Avatar universal
Thank you and I apologize for disturbing you.
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This information doesn't change my opinio or advice.  Herpes doesn't cause "pretty consistent burning in [the] penis".

1,2) No.

3) Yes, herpes can cause anal fissures.  However, it's a rare cause. Anal fissures are very common, usually without known cause.  I would guess that 99+% are not due to herpes.

You're going to have to find a way to move on.  You can't go through life worrying about herpes every time you have a twinge, tingle, or itch below the belt.  You're just going to have to accept the apparently difficult conclusion that you don't have herpes.  Whether you do or not, this forum cannot help you any further.  
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Avatar universal
Dear Doc,
I apologize for writing to you again but in the past week I have had some disturbing symptoms that I need your advice on..  For the past 6 days(7 weeks post exposure) I have had a pretty consistent burning in my penis. I did not develop any sores or blisters on penis. About 4 days ago my anal burning started again.  I went to the dermatologist and he said I have anal fissures.  They are defiinatly more painful when sitting for longer periods of time..  It is hard for me to believe that the two symptoms occuring at the same time are a coincidence.

1.  Could I be having a recurrent outbreak 7 weeks in?

2.Could I still test neg for hsv2 as I did and be having a recurrent outbreak or would I have seroconverted by the time i had a recurrent outbreak.(8 weeks, also hsv2 neg for CSW at 8 weeks)

3.  lastly, does hsv2 cause anal fissures?  If not, any other suggestion on what might be going on?
Helpful - 0
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Test results are far more reliable than symptoms when it comes to genital herpes, especially in the absence of blisters. You can rely on the test results. There is no scientific basis for you to continue to feel "worried and neurotic".  Time to move on.  Good luck with it.
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much Doc.  I just received my follow up test and the score went down to .11.  Doc, I still remain concerned because even though the mode of transmission was highly unlikely I thought that my symptoms were highly suggestive of hsv2 from what I have read.  The two points that don't suggest it are that I have not had any blisters nor was there any contact with the anus and my rash is in the anus. Could you please shed some light on these points and my last description to Dr Hook of Symptoms as I am truly tired of being worried and neurotic.  Thank you so much in advance.
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