2 low positives from single exposure.

[victimizedperson1]

Hi ms. Terri. Something happened in november last year and I took a test in February. The results for HSV1 and 2 were 1.90 and 1.30 respectively. Yesterday I got results from a test I done a few days ago and HSV1 was 1.70 (dropped) but HSV2 was still 1.30. Does having a low positive 2 times increase the chances of me having HSV2? What could cause this? Is it true that different labs use different values for the results? The test I did was from pathlabs and the doctor said something about how their > 1.1 (which means a positive) could be a definite positive or something. I can't remember what he said exactly. The equivocal and negative values also seem to be the same as all the other tests. But I have never had the typical symptoms or even anything that looked like herpes as far as I could tell.

Extra info

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/IgG-HSV1-affects-HSV2-results/show/1465368

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/Both-IgG-low-positive-results-still-means-I-have-type-1-bad-title/show/1468641


Thank you,
V

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I don't believe that you would acquire HSV on your arms or legs from waxing, no.  And herpes looks nothing like ringworm. I can't imagine the two being mixed up in appearance or diagnosis.  

I do think you should get the western blot now.  You know, what is, is.  The test will just clarify it for you.  Not finding out what is actually going on will, I believe, just cause you more anxiety in the long run.

Terri

[victimizedperson1]

Hi again. I have some other questions if you are able to answer it I will really appreciate.

I was wondering if herpes could spread by waxing our legs and arms, as I had that done in January. The lady used her barehands to apply the afterwax creams on my legs. And I heard they double dip the wax for bodyparts that are not in the boxer region. I'm worried it could have caused it. I had ezcema as a child but it got better. But now and then I would get mild symptoms of ezcema.

Several weeks ago I saw that on my hand there was a spot that spread out and looked a bit like a ringworm. But the doctor said it isn't a ringworm infection but maybe an allergic reaction. It spread out and caused the centre to look fairer than the surrounding skin. I ask this because I saw a picture online that looked similar and claimed to be herpes. I'm not sure if herpes can look like this. (like a ringworm but isn't reddish and spreads out)

And on my legs, there are several scabs that look like scrapes or symptoms of ezcema. But I don't know if it could be the mild symptoms of herpes.

Also, do you think I should purchase your book at this point? Maybe it will help me to come to terms. I do want to get the western blot done. But that might confirm my infection and I hope I will deal with that well. Right now I still feel I am sort of in denial...


Thanks very much ms. Terri

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

If this IS herpes, yes your symptoms might always be mild.  but I think this is a big IF frankly.  Herpes is not normally just red dots, no.

Please pursue western blot testing as soon as you can.
Terri

[victimizedperson1]

Sorry for the late reply. That is because I was trying to distance myself from reading about herpes info for a while. For the past months every day, I have been reading too much and worrying about herpes and it was very stressful.

Does it mean that my symptoms are as 'serious' as they will ever be? So that means even if I have outbreaks, I may never have those blisters? If I have herpes. The red dots on my follicles are not blisters or watery. Could herpes just be red dots that don't blister?

I was just on the western blot website. When I am ready I will ask my doctor if he will help me do this. Past few months were herpes herpes herpes. I need to try to stop thinking about this.

Thank you again ms. Terri

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

Yes, some people have symptoms so minor that they might not realize it.  If you have no symptoms now, you might never have symptoms or you might at some point start recognizing symptoms.  


Sometimes folliculitis and herpes get mixed up, but generally, herpes lesions are not limited to the hair follicle, no.  

You can ask the University of Washington to send your clinician a western blot test kit, even if you don't live in the US, I'm quite sure.  Have you looked at their website about the western blot?

Terri

[victimizedperson1]

Hi again.

Does this mean that everybody who gets infected by herpes will have a primary outbreak but it might be so minor that they don't realise it? But does this mean future outbreaks will also be minor? If I do have herpes I probably won't get those blisters?

Could herpes look like folliculitis and affect the pores where hair comes out from? I waxed my legs somewhere else in January and I have red pores with no blisters. I am wondering if it was that session of waxing that could have spread herpes. My doctor said it was folliculitis but I am not sure.

Up till now I still don't have the typical symptoms. I am not from America so I think I am unable to get a western blot.

Thank you ms. Terri,
V

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

With your HSV 2 value of 1.30, there is about an 85% chance that it will not confirm.
It isn't about multiplication of the virus, some people just recognize primary infections and others do not.  If you are infected, any outbreak that you have now will not be a primary, but rather a recurrence.

Terri

[victimizedperson1]

What are the chances I really have HSV2? Based on your experience when people have this result, that means they have HSV2 right?

Can I also ask if I have HSV2, why is it that I don't have those typical symptoms? Is it because the virus has not multiplied enough to cause outbreaks? Will it multiply until it can cause a primary outbreak? I still do not understand if it is possible to have a 'primary outbreak' with all the typical serious symptoms months/years after exposure.

How many questions are we allowed to ask?

Thank you ms. Terri,
V

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

If you are HSV1 positive and you have a low positive HSV 2 result, which yours most definitely is at 1.3, the chances are higher that the 1.3 is a false positive result.  Your HSV 1 test is also low, which makes this a little more complicated.  If you are trying to sort out possible infection from November, you have waited long enough to get a herpes western blot to clear up this picture, and I would certainly suggest that you do that now.  It should be ordered through Quest labs, the code is 34534 for your health care provider.  I don't think you will really know what is going on until you get that test.  And no test is perfect, but this one is very good and will help you sort this out

Terri