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Recent IGG Test Results -
Dear Dr. HH -
I am a male and I engaged in uprotected oral and protected intercourse approximately 5 weeks ago. I spent 7 nights with this individual and engaged in protected (condom) intercourse 1-2 times per day. I performed unprotected oral on 2 occasions. Although I had no reason to be suspect...ie...I have NEVER had any symptoms or outbreaks with respect to ALL STD's, I decided out of simple curiousity to obtain a comprehensive STD test.
The results concerned me. I have had 2 tests - the first at 4 weeks/2 days and the second test at 4 weeks/4days.
The initial test, HSV 2 IGG, Herpeselect TYPE Specific AB yielded a result
HSV 2 IGG - 1.59.
This initial test did not provide HSV 1 results. After reading this forum, it seemed necessary to obtain an HSV1 result.
The second test, Focs Diagnostics HerpeSelect 2 ELISA IgG test kit yielded the following
HSV Type I IGG AB - 8.6
HSV Type II IGG AB - 2
I have never had either a type 1 (oral sores) or a type 2 (genital) breakout. NO symptoms whatsoever!
One other fact - my significant other of approx 20 years had HSV1 (althought never test confirmed) based on 1-2 cold sores per year requiring oral anti-viral medicine.
Needles to say, I am concerned. You have offered your thoughts on multiple similar situations. 1) What are your thoughts - should I shake or is their hope - in other words, do you think I have HSV2? 2) What are your recommendations given the test peformed at just over 4 weeks. 3) For everybody's education, can one acquire HSV2 via unprotected oral on an infected partner? If so, would the sore occur at the site (mouth) or would it appear in the genitals (typical HSV2 presentation)
All thoughts most appreciated
I am a male and I engaged in uprotected oral and protected intercourse approximately 5 weeks ago. I spent 7 nights with this individual and engaged in protected (condom) intercourse 1-2 times per day. I performed unprotected oral on 2 occasions. Although I had no reason to be suspect...ie...I have NEVER had any symptoms or outbreaks with respect to ALL STD's, I decided out of simple curiousity to obtain a comprehensive STD test.
The results concerned me. I have had 2 tests - the first at 4 weeks/2 days and the second test at 4 weeks/4days.
The initial test, HSV 2 IGG, Herpeselect TYPE Specific AB yielded a result
HSV 2 IGG - 1.59.
This initial test did not provide HSV 1 results. After reading this forum, it seemed necessary to obtain an HSV1 result.
The second test, Focs Diagnostics HerpeSelect 2 ELISA IgG test kit yielded the following
HSV Type I IGG AB - 8.6
HSV Type II IGG AB - 2
I have never had either a type 1 (oral sores) or a type 2 (genital) breakout. NO symptoms whatsoever!
One other fact - my significant other of approx 20 years had HSV1 (althought never test confirmed) based on 1-2 cold sores per year requiring oral anti-viral medicine.
Needles to say, I am concerned. You have offered your thoughts on multiple similar situations. 1) What are your thoughts - should I shake or is their hope - in other words, do you think I have HSV2? 2) What are your recommendations given the test peformed at just over 4 weeks. 3) For everybody's education, can one acquire HSV2 via unprotected oral on an infected partner? If so, would the sore occur at the site (mouth) or would it appear in the genitals (typical HSV2 presentation)
All thoughts most appreciated
Western Blot Negative for antibody to HSV-2!
Thanks for this awesome forum. I am shocked and saddened to learn that my internest at one of America's leading research institutions was unaware of this test and left me hanging!
Case closed
Thanks for this awesome forum. I am shocked and saddened to learn that my internest at one of America's leading research institutions was unaware of this test and left me hanging!
Case closed
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I didn't misunderstand at all. This remains irrelvant to your situation -- and I cannot imagine that this is not related to your situation, and the hope that your result might be false positive. But here you go:
The answer isn't known. You'll find comments on line (and elsewhere) that attribute false positive results to cross-reaction with other herpes-group viruses, such as varicella zoster virus, the cause of chicken pox and shingles. This is mere speculation. The actual biological explanations are not known. This isn't a high research priority, so my guess is we will never know, at least not in the foreseeable future.
That's definitely the end of this thread unless and until you wish to post your WB results.
The answer isn't known. You'll find comments on line (and elsewhere) that attribute false positive results to cross-reaction with other herpes-group viruses, such as varicella zoster virus, the cause of chicken pox and shingles. This is mere speculation. The actual biological explanations are not known. This isn't a high research priority, so my guess is we will never know, at least not in the foreseeable future.
That's definitely the end of this thread unless and until you wish to post your WB results.
thats fine! I think you misunderstood the question. The question is based on theories for false positives with respect to hsv2. what is the test detecting and why? I would think all the curious readers here would share similar questions. thanks doc
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
HSV OD ratio results over 3.5 are rarely if ever false positive and you should not hold out hope that your positive HSV-1 result false; i.e. you can expect the WB to confirm you have HSV-1 and to be negative for HSV-2. I see no reason for you to speculate about the explanations if and when false positive results occur, since it doesn't apply to you.
Lets end this thread, unless you want to report your HSV WB result when you have it. Until then, I'll have nothing more to say.
Lets end this thread, unless you want to report your HSV WB result when you have it. Until then, I'll have nothing more to say.
Doc -
I am anxiously awaiting the results and understand your assessment.
One question - Is there an explanation for the "false positive." In theory, the IGG is detecting HSV2 - correct or incorrect? Are there hypotheses or theories to explain this. Thoughts appreciated!
I am anxiously awaiting the results and understand your assessment.
One question - Is there an explanation for the "false positive." In theory, the IGG is detecting HSV2 - correct or incorrect? Are there hypotheses or theories to explain this. Thoughts appreciated!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your partner's test resullt shows she doesn't have HSV-2, making it impossible she infected you. Therefore, your WB probably will be negative. If positive, it will mean you have had HSV-2 since sometime before the sexual exposure several weeks ago.
Some new information.
The girl tested high positive for HSV1 and low negative for HSV2 (.2)
I submitted WB on Monday.
Say a prayer.
So doc, you are correct to believe that its either a 1) false positive or 2) i have had from an earlier infection unknown..
I hope its false positive and I can put this nightmare behind. I have NEVER engaged in unsafe sex practices my entire life
The girl tested high positive for HSV1 and low negative for HSV2 (.2)
I submitted WB on Monday.
Say a prayer.
So doc, you are correct to believe that its either a 1) false positive or 2) i have had from an earlier infection unknown..
I hope its false positive and I can put this nightmare behind. I have NEVER engaged in unsafe sex practices my entire life
Thanks doc...Your assistance comforting in a time of distress. I will post the results down the road.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I took your positive HSV-1 test into account in my reply above. One research study (on which I was a co-investator and co-author) found a higher rate of low-level but false HSV-2 test results in people with HSV-1 antibody, but there are no data whether the height of the HSV-1 result makes any difference. Probably not.
You could have a Western blot now. A negative result would support the interpretation that you don't have HSV-2. However, it would not be definitive. It takes longer for WB to become positive than the routine blood tests, especially HerpeSelect, which probably is the test you had.
Putting all this together, it is very unlikely you caught a new HSV-2 infection during your non-marital adventure a few weeks ago. Even if your HSV-2 result turns out to be truly positive (a 50% chance probably is about right -- or maybe only 30%), it most likely would mean you have had it all along, from some distant past infection.
I understand your desire for closure, and a negative WB at this time probably would help with that. But it will still leave open a very small chance you have a new HSV-2 infection and I can't offer definitive closure until another WB is done and negative at 3-4 months.
You could have a Western blot now. A negative result would support the interpretation that you don't have HSV-2. However, it would not be definitive. It takes longer for WB to become positive than the routine blood tests, especially HerpeSelect, which probably is the test you had.
Putting all this together, it is very unlikely you caught a new HSV-2 infection during your non-marital adventure a few weeks ago. Even if your HSV-2 result turns out to be truly positive (a 50% chance probably is about right -- or maybe only 30%), it most likely would mean you have had it all along, from some distant past infection.
I understand your desire for closure, and a negative WB at this time probably would help with that. But it will still leave open a very small chance you have a new HSV-2 infection and I can't offer definitive closure until another WB is done and negative at 3-4 months.
Doc - is there any correlation between the high HSV1 reading and a higher HSV2 - ie...8.6 is very high relative, at least, to most of the other readings I have seen on this site. Is that a contributory factor to an HSV2 reading???
thanks
Also, you are correct - the early testing has created a mental dilemna. A form of mental torture!!! So here's a question. Could I get a WB test now. If it's positive, I am confirmed HSV2 positive - right? If it's negative, then I can maintain some "hope" and redo at 8, 12, or 16 weeks. I have heard conflicting information here. Although expensive, I don't care about the money...I need some sanity and/or closure. Also, given the number, aren't I only in the 50/50 camp...in essence, if my HSV2 were 1.5 or less, then I could really be feeling better?
thanks again doc. Your insight invaluable on this forum!
thanks
Also, you are correct - the early testing has created a mental dilemna. A form of mental torture!!! So here's a question. Could I get a WB test now. If it's positive, I am confirmed HSV2 positive - right? If it's negative, then I can maintain some "hope" and redo at 8, 12, or 16 weeks. I have heard conflicting information here. Although expensive, I don't care about the money...I need some sanity and/or closure. Also, given the number, aren't I only in the 50/50 camp...in essence, if my HSV2 were 1.5 or less, then I could really be feeling better?
thanks again doc. Your insight invaluable on this forum!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. You had accurate replies on the herpes community forum. I'll expand a bit on the information you learned there.
Bottom line: you definitely have HSV-1 (no way to know whether you have had it since childhood, or perhaps from your apparently infected wife); and you probably do not have HSV-2, but that part will remain uncertain unless and until you are retested in a few weeks.
It is statistically unlikely you caught herpes during your week long adventure a few weeks ago. The odds are she isn't infected with HSV-2, and you used condoms consistently for vaginal sex. Given these facts plus absence of symptoms that suggest you caught genital herpes, it is very unlikely that you dld. Had you asked ahead of time, I would have advised you not to be tested for HSV -- in order to avoid exactly the sort of dilemma you now face.
Thus, most likely your weakly positive HSV-2 blood test result is falsely positive, which you already recognize as a possibility, as discussed in the community forum. However, as you also were told, another reason for low positive antibody result is a new infection; it takes a while for the ELISA ratio to rise into the strongly positive range. Thus, it is possible you were infected 5 weeks ago. And you were correctly informed on the community forum that there is no way to know which of these explains your test results, other than retesting at 3-4 months. To your specific questions:
1) Probably you do not have a new HSV-2 infection, but it cannot yet be ruled out.
2) Have another HSV-2 antibody test 3-4 months after the non-marital exposure.
3) Oral HSV-2 is not especially common, but it can be acquired by performing oral sex on an infected partner. If that happens, the initial symptoms would be oral (with or without genital, if there were unprotected genital exposure at the same time).
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Bottom line: you definitely have HSV-1 (no way to know whether you have had it since childhood, or perhaps from your apparently infected wife); and you probably do not have HSV-2, but that part will remain uncertain unless and until you are retested in a few weeks.
It is statistically unlikely you caught herpes during your week long adventure a few weeks ago. The odds are she isn't infected with HSV-2, and you used condoms consistently for vaginal sex. Given these facts plus absence of symptoms that suggest you caught genital herpes, it is very unlikely that you dld. Had you asked ahead of time, I would have advised you not to be tested for HSV -- in order to avoid exactly the sort of dilemma you now face.
Thus, most likely your weakly positive HSV-2 blood test result is falsely positive, which you already recognize as a possibility, as discussed in the community forum. However, as you also were told, another reason for low positive antibody result is a new infection; it takes a while for the ELISA ratio to rise into the strongly positive range. Thus, it is possible you were infected 5 weeks ago. And you were correctly informed on the community forum that there is no way to know which of these explains your test results, other than retesting at 3-4 months. To your specific questions:
1) Probably you do not have a new HSV-2 infection, but it cannot yet be ruled out.
2) Have another HSV-2 antibody test 3-4 months after the non-marital exposure.
3) Oral HSV-2 is not especially common, but it can be acquired by performing oral sex on an infected partner. If that happens, the initial symptoms would be oral (with or without genital, if there were unprotected genital exposure at the same time).
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.
