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STDs (Expert Forum)
Herpes test results
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Herpes test results
by Broncochrissy, Jun 10, 2007 12:00AM
I posted on here a couple months ago under Chrissygal, but I couldn't log in under that name, so created a new account. I just wanted to get your opinion about my test results. I have never had a known outbreak either genital or on my lips, but my results seem to say that I do have herpes. Also, I have never had a partner come back to me saying he contracted herpes from me.
My first test done in April was a HerpesSelect test which came out with the following results: Type 1 - >5
Type 2 - 3.38
I went and got a HSV-2 IGG, Herpeselect w/refl to Inhibition on the recommendation of Grace. This was an ELISA screening and the results came out 1.70. The explanation of the test results says:
< 0.90 Negative - No HSV-2 IGG antibody detected
.90-1.10 Equivocal
> 1.10 Positive- HSV-2 IGG antibody detected.
Obviously the results show positive, but not by a huge number, 1.10 is positive and I have 1.7? I guess my main question is I have read that if my HSV-1 is high which the first test said >5 then my HSV-2 could be effected. Is this correct? Would you recommend I get the University of Washington test done? I am taking Valtrex daily, but I just still can't believe I am positive since I have never had a known outbreak and I shave down there daily, so you would think I would know this and never a cold sore on my lips.
Just looking for some advice. Thanks so much!
My first test done in April was a HerpesSelect test which came out with the following results: Type 1 - >5
Type 2 - 3.38
I went and got a HSV-2 IGG, Herpeselect w/refl to Inhibition on the recommendation of Grace. This was an ELISA screening and the results came out 1.70. The explanation of the test results says:
< 0.90 Negative - No HSV-2 IGG antibody detected
.90-1.10 Equivocal
> 1.10 Positive- HSV-2 IGG antibody detected.
Obviously the results show positive, but not by a huge number, 1.10 is positive and I have 1.7? I guess my main question is I have read that if my HSV-1 is high which the first test said >5 then my HSV-2 could be effected. Is this correct? Would you recommend I get the University of Washington test done? I am taking Valtrex daily, but I just still can't believe I am positive since I have never had a known outbreak and I shave down there daily, so you would think I would know this and never a cold sore on my lips.
Just looking for some advice. Thanks so much!
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jun 10, 2007 12:00AM
, Jun 10, 2007 12:00AM
Both of your HSV-2 results are in the gray zone, especially since your HSV-1 result is positive; the 3.38 seems real but 1.70 may well be falsely positive. (Yes, it is true that in the presence of HSV-1 antibody, low-positive HSV-2 results often are false.)
You can do one of two things to resolve this. One is to have another HSV-2 test by a different test manufacturer, such as the BiokitUSA test. Research shows it to be a good tie-breaker for equivocal HSV-2 HerpeSelect results. The other approach is to do as you suggest, have a specimen sent to UW for a Western blot test. That's the gold standard and will definitely sort things out. The only downside is that it's expensive, up to $200 when you include your own provider's and lab's handling and shipping costs. But your health insurance likely will cover it, if you're not in a restrictive HMO.
That you 'have never had a known outbreak' is irrelevant. That is true for most people with truly positive HSV-2 results.
HHH, MD
You can do one of two things to resolve this. One is to have another HSV-2 test by a different test manufacturer, such as the BiokitUSA test. Research shows it to be a good tie-breaker for equivocal HSV-2 HerpeSelect results. The other approach is to do as you suggest, have a specimen sent to UW for a Western blot test. That's the gold standard and will definitely sort things out. The only downside is that it's expensive, up to $200 when you include your own provider's and lab's handling and shipping costs. But your health insurance likely will cover it, if you're not in a restrictive HMO.
That you 'have never had a known outbreak' is irrelevant. That is true for most people with truly positive HSV-2 results.
HHH, MD
Member Comments (1)
by coolpaddy1983, Apr 14, 2008 11:00AM
A related discussion, Need lil help for my HSV test results was started.
