HELP! I'm so Confused

[Carolyn919]

I'm in college and just got the results of my HSV test back.  I've had 3 test.  The 1st one said no antibodies found but my doctor told me I was positive but did not indicate for which type.  So I had another test done about 3 weeks ago.  The result for both HSV1 and HSV2 were in the uneq. level.  So the lab re-ran the HSV2 alone and now my IgG is 1.7.  How can there be so many different answers to this question??  From what I have read on this site, it may very well mean that I am NOT positive.  Please help me, I'm a basket case at this point.  Am I positive or what.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Best AI can tell, you do not have herpes.  Let me clarify what you've said however.

1.  I do not understand how with your first test you could have a negative test but have your doctor tell you you had antibodies.  Can you clarify?  Negative is negative.
2.  You second test result was equivocal, correct?  Most such tests are actually negative but encounter some modest interference in the chemistry of the testing process which makes the result a little bit unclear.  
3.  An IgG of 1.7 to HSV-2 is negative.  Not to worry.

Putting all of these together, I think you've had two negative tests and one indeterminate (equivocable).  If that is the case, you do no have HSV-2 and importantly, no further testing is warranted.

Hope this helps.. EWH

[Carolyn919]

Thank you for your quick response.  My nurse pracitioner gave me the paperwork and it clearly states 1.7 but yet she told me I was positive.  I just don't get it.  I'm glad there is someone like you and some place like this to go.  

Yes, my second test came back equivocal.  

Now I think I can come up for air.

Many thanks!!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The value of 1.7 is sometimes interpreted as positive but more and more people are realizing that the majority of people without other supportive data who have values between 0.9 and 3.5 turn out to not have herpes.  Tests must be interpreted int he contest of the clinical situation in which they are taken.  I'm sure the NP was reading the results and counseling you in conservative fashion however, in the context of your other test results, we can be almost positive you do not have HSV-2.  EWH