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STDs (Expert Forum)
herpes test
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
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IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
herpes test
by amil911, Jul 22, 2008 04:27PM
Hi I got the result of the herpes test by IgG. In the type 1 the results was 4.5 and in the Type 2 the results was 1.5 I have a confusion, because in the results they say that a results more than 1.10 is positive. I dont know if in the results 1.5 means 1.50 or really means 1.5. because with this information I could know if I have both of type of herpes or I only have type 1. Thank you
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jul 22, 2008 05:01PM
, Jul 22, 2008 05:01PM
Those results definitely mean you are infected with HSV-1. Technically any HSV-2 result greater than 1.1 is positive. (There is no difference between 1.5 and 1.50.) However, only results of 3.5 and greater are definitely positive; the lower the number, the greater the possibility the result is false. Therefore, most likely you don't have HSV-2, only HSV-1.
You can sort this out by being retested. The simplest approach is to ask the provider or clinic that did your test to retest you with the BiokitUSA HSV-2 test, which is done in the office while the patient waits. Or, if your provider doesn't do the Biokit test (and doesn't want to order it special), you could be rested with the HSV Western blot test. In that case, the laboratory will refer your blood specimen to the Unviersity of Washington Clinical Laboratory in Seattle. WB is more expensive ($150 or more) and may not be covered by insurance, but that is the gold standard for sorting out uncertain HSV-2 test results. In the meantime, most likely you don't have HSV-2, especially if you aren't having typical symptoms of recurrent genital herpes.
You can search this forum for many other discussions of these issues. You'll probably also get some good advice about it from identical question you posted on the herpes community forum.
Best wishes--- HHH, MD
You can sort this out by being retested. The simplest approach is to ask the provider or clinic that did your test to retest you with the BiokitUSA HSV-2 test, which is done in the office while the patient waits. Or, if your provider doesn't do the Biokit test (and doesn't want to order it special), you could be rested with the HSV Western blot test. In that case, the laboratory will refer your blood specimen to the Unviersity of Washington Clinical Laboratory in Seattle. WB is more expensive ($150 or more) and may not be covered by insurance, but that is the gold standard for sorting out uncertain HSV-2 test results. In the meantime, most likely you don't have HSV-2, especially if you aren't having typical symptoms of recurrent genital herpes.
You can search this forum for many other discussions of these issues. You'll probably also get some good advice about it from identical question you posted on the herpes community forum.
Best wishes--- HHH, MD
Post Comment
I forget say that I have had symptoms of herpes only in my lips and occur once a year and never symptoms of herpes in my genital. This means that I have only HSV1?
Another question that I have is how can I protect my partner of herpes? and what is the probability that she get contagious?
In the case that I have both type of herpes(HSV1 and 2) and my girlfriend get both type of herpes. what is the probability that my partner get recurrence of herpes( more than 3 per year)?
another question is what is the difference between HSV1 and HSV2?
Thank you
If repeat testing shows you have HSV-2, we can address how to prevent transmission. Most likely you don't have it, so I suggest you not worry about it now.
The entire topic of preveting HSV transmission is complex, with too much detail to cover easily on a forum like this. There are excellent online sources, such as www.ashastd.org, www.cdc.gov/std, and www.westoverheights.com. Or consider telephoning the American Social Health Association's Herpes Resource Center for expert counseling (ashastd.org and follow the links).