recent testing showed slightly positive

[francine26]

I was recently tested on June 5th using herpeselect ELISA and got the following results:

HSV1: 1.19
HSV2: 1.24

I haven't had sex with anyone since March 22nd.  My partner at that time was tested at his doctor at my request (because I am neurotic about stds) and had a HSV1 result of 4.10 and <0.9 for HSV2.  I have never had unprotected sex.  My previous test (6 months after my last contact) in Feb were 2months ago)?

[francine26]

Dr. Handsfield.  I didn't know you were answering today. Could you help me with my question?  See the posts above.

[francine26]

Thank you.  My question was cut off.  It meant to say that my last HSV test was on Feb 29th and was negative (herpeselect).  The only person I had sex with since was back at the end of March and he was negative for HSV 2 but positive for HSV 1.  Since then I have received oral sex at the beginning of may but did not give (and no genital contact).  If these results are real, could my HSV 2 really be low positive if in deed it was from the sexual contact at the end of March (when I was tested and received the low positive on June 5th)?  The partner at the beginning of may states that he is negative and has never had any symptoms.  Also, could it be possible that the partner in March with the positive HSV1 had early infection with HSV2 and this wasn't detected by testing?  Should I get restested in a month?  and should this testing be done at the same place?  would that make a difference in numbers?  Also, would getting another test (focus immunoblot) now give me any answers (my last tests was herpeselect ELISA)?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I'm not sure what the question is here.  I will comment on the results you mention here.  If there are specific results, then providing me with additonal information will help me to help you.  .

Both your HSV-1 and HSV-1 results are in the range that the company which makes the herpeselect lists as positive but both are also in the lower range of what is positive.  As a result your positive result for one or the other virus could well be a false positive due to having the other virus.  Statistically, HSV-1 is far more common than HSV-2.  If you have ever had cold sores, then you almost certainly have HSV-1.  To sort this out, a Western Blot from the University of Washington may be helpful.

As for your partner- he has HSV-1, just about for sure and has no antibody evidence of HSV-1.  EWH