my test results??

hello
i recently had the test done for HSV Type 2-Specific Ab, IgG come back at positive with 2.16, i had a test done back in 07 which came back negative...can this be possible that this is a false positive, i also went back to get another test done 5 days later to re-exam them since there has been several questions with bloodwork done with this doctor office...please help I am confused & freaked.
i also am in a relation for 8 months now & my partner gets cold sores on his mouth at least once a month but he says that all his tests came back fine.
i also wanted to know is it possible for HSV-1 to cause HSV-2?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Several comments:

1.  A type-specific IgG assay result of 2.16 is in the range where false positive results are at least as common as true positives.  if you have not had anything that suggests HSV since your last test, this could well be a false positive result.
2.  Do you have HSV-1?  if so, this increases the likelihood that the result you mentioned is false positive even more.
3.  If your partner gets cold sores he almost certainly has HSV and it is far more likely that he has HSV-1 than HSV-2.  I would be suspect of his tests or that what he calls cold sores is not but is something else such as canker sores.
4. HSV-1 does not become HSV-2.  On the other hand, either virus can cause infection and either the genital or oral site.

Hope this is helpful.  I'm betting your result is false positve.EWH

[Rocky1981]

thank you sooooo much hopefully this is true & i'm clean. a few more questions if you won't mind answering

1- since i did only wait 5 days to go back & get the retest is it possible that if it shows up the same that i will have a low grade positive & never likely to spread it..does it mean that i have it or just that i was exposed to  it as my gyno had mentioned.

2-is it def possible for the test results to mistakenly show a postive for HSV2 if i am positve for HSV1 from growing up?

and finally i know you probably heard this plenty of times but i ask please pray that i am clear & golden i find out tomorrow...and thank you so much your response has given me more hope...

[Rocky1981]

dr. edward one more question sorry just thought if i have HPV and my pap came back normal last time, is it possible that the antibody test confused it with that instead of HSV also?
please help, thanks again =)

staying hopeful!!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No risk.  There are no commercially available antibody tests for HPV and therefore no risk of confusion.  Try to relax.  eWH

[Rocky1981]

thank you...
would you mind answering my other 2 question please? thank you so much i really appreciate it=)

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Sigh

1. There is no such thing as a positve test because of exposure.  Either you have it or you do not.  I commented on your test results

2.  Among the MANY reasons for false positive IgG tests for HSV-2 is cross reactivity with antibodies to pre-exisitng HSV-1 infection.   You made no mention of having cold sores (although your partner does) nor your antibody test for HSV-1 so I assumed you do not have HSV-1.  If either of these is the case and you did not mention them, I can't hep but wonder why.  I can only address the information provided.  EWH

[Rocky1981]

Hi Dr. Hook
thank you for a little more clarification..i am positive for HSV1 i am just highly concerned that if the low positive of 2.16 for HSV2 was confused with my positive HSV1.  have you heard of such cases of this?
and finally i wanted to know if (godforbid) it is positive again shall i ask my gyno to send out to the "golden standard" test that i have read on here about that is much more flawless than the others?
thank you so much for your feedback & i apologize for not being more specific earlier as you can imagine i am still distraught over this news.
thank you!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your anxiety is really inappropriate for the situation and circumstance.  You have my opinion and do not want to believe it.  That's up to you. If you wish to get a Western blot from the University of Washington, you can do that too - your docotor can order it.  It might help and might not.  The time has come for this thread to end.  No further questions please.  EWH