Both IgG low positive results still means I have type 1? (bad title)

[victimizedperson1]

Hello. I would like to ask something. It's sort of like a follow up from http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/IgG-HSV1-affects-HSV2-results/show/1465368

Grace said that my positive might be a false one because it's so low and I am at low risk. But to have a false positive, does it mean I need to have HSV1 for the test to falsely detect the HSV2 antibodies giving it the low positive, which makes me not have HSV2? Or can both the positives be false? I don't ever remember having a cold sore. I don't think I have this but I really don't know for sure.

And I heard arginine makes outbreaks happen right? I have been deliberately taking additional arginine supplements to see if I will have a breakout. And I don't/haven't and hopefully will never.

Thank you,
V

[victimizedperson1]

I see. So some people might always be positive for HSV2 even though they don't have it.  

I have asked this on the other forum so I have more views on this.

Grace, thank you very much for your support all this while. You are doing something very good for all of the people who worry about herpes. Without your help many people would have been worse off. You take the time almost everyday to answer every question that people have. It's really not easy to do what you do. I am grateful for the help you provide.


Thank you very much,
V

[gracefromHHP]

no, some folks always have low positives no matter how often they are tested.

[victimizedperson1]

Thank you ms Grace. Why is it that 2 low positives in a row have the same significance? I thought it could mean we are more likely to have HSV.

[gracefromHHP]

I encourage you to seek out a herpes support group in your area then to see what confirmatory testing options you have open.  A hsv2 igg of that low is typically a false positive so it's worth following up on.

no significance to it being the same as the last test you had done.

[victimizedperson1]

Hello ms Grace. My results are out. HSV-1 is 1.70 from 1.90 and HSV 2 is 1.30.

The HSV1 dropped a bit but HSV2 is the same. Is there anything strange about the HSV2 result because it's the same from the last time I did the test?

The doctor said that the lab has it's own value for the IgG. Example their 1.30 may mean that I certainly have HSV. Is this true? The negative and equivocal ranges seem similar to all the other tests I have seen also. So is this still considered a low positive? It was done by Pathlabs.

But I am slowly facing the fact that I may really have HSV2 and hope I don't get outbreaks. Sometimes it scares me a lot. I have been reading these pages EVERYDAY. Reading about herpes and STD related things whenever I think about it.

Anyway, even if I want to do a western blot, it's not available here.

:'|

Thank you,
V

[gracefromHHP]

if you get a low positive at this point then you'll need to get a herpes WB to confirm your status.

[victimizedperson1]

I see. It happened around november last year. So I believe the test should be accurate? This time, if it comes back a low positive again, what will that mean?

Thank you

[gracefromHHP]

you need to wait at least 12 weeks post encounter fo rherpes igg blood testing.

[victimizedperson1]

Hi ms. Grace.

Does that mean my results can depend on when I take the test? It was about 6 weeks since the last test, will this affect the results? I don't really understand how these things can affect the results.

By the way, the doctor said that it doesn't seem that I have HPV/warts. So I am just waiting for this.

Thank you,
V

[gracefromHHP]

they don't list which particular brand of herpes blood test they use at pathlabs - just that it's elisa based.

quest uses the herpeselect for their testing.

all labs are accredited and have to meet uniform standards different in test results for the same brand of test can vary depending on the time of day the test is done as well as your overall general health and of course the time between testing. Not like one lab is "bad" compared to others. make sense?

[victimizedperson1]

Hello again. I just took the same test again and I am waiting for the results. I would like to ask if I get a low positive again, what does this mean?

Is it true about different labs having different IgG readings? Example a 1.30 for Pathlabs (have you heard of this lab) might actually be example 4.2 for Questlabs? What's the difference between the labs?

Thank you
V

[gracefromHHP]

you need to be seen for a proper exam if you are wondering if you contracted hpv. We have a hpv forum on medhelp if you are interested in posting there but if you are concerned about a symptom being hpv, you need seen.

[victimizedperson1]

Thank you for your help. Right now I also have fears about HPV. I've been reading stuff about this but I have questions.

Where should I post this? Under dermatology or STDs?

[gracefromHHP]

we are limited in how we can help. at this point you need to be seeing medical providers. not too much else we can do at this point for you.

[victimizedperson1]

That picture is used as a herpes symptom picture but I have not seen herpes looking like that. It's not my picture.



Thank you

[Mistakeguy789]

You are asking me to look at pictures.  I won't do that.  You are asking me to practice medicine and I won't do that either.  You need to see a doctor, NP, or a PA.  Posting here questions isn't going to help you at this level any more.  Being seen is what you need to do.  No one here that is a regular will tell you based on a picture you have herpes.  Not even the 3 experts on this site will practice medicine based on a picture.  Even though pictures are worth a thousand words nothing will beat the touch and in person exam from a trained provider.  Contact your local health department or STD clinic for assistance with being examined and help with your WB if they can help with it at all.  

[victimizedperson1]

Hello again Mistakeguy...

I want to have a western blot done as well as see a dermatologist about that. But right now I do not have $. I have a lot of questions and this seems to be the only place I can have definite answers.

I saw a picture that didn't look like herpes but it was posted as a herpes symptom.

http://e-mergencycontraception.com/herpes-symptoms/

Does herpes ever look like this? I had 2 small ones on the back of my hand but the skin they were on wasn't red. It started small and spread out to become like that.

And I had small single blisters the size of a pinhead on my shoulder and arm which scabbed after a few days. If someone has herpes, they virus can activate at anywhere right?


Thank you

[Mistakeguy789]

Okay first off you need to stop looking up herpes information at this point.  You are only putting yourself more and more into a world that makes you say its herpes.  No matter what we say.  I know the feeling been there myself.  

There is no risk from the situation you describe.  The virus doesn't live long on the hands.  You could have irritiated the area.  Be seen by a dermatologist for a proper work up.  I doubt this is herpes.

[victimizedperson1]

Thank you ms. Grace and Mistakeguy for your support. Right now I really want to get a confirmatory test done. But I do not have enough $ yet. But I am sorry that I have some more questions to bother you with.

These past few weeks have been getting crazier for me. Everytime I use the internet I will look up on herpes related information. I will keep worrying about all this and my mind will wander.

Anyway, my question is, can we get herpes from getting our legs waxed? I did it a different place after the dreaded incident around january and the waxer who was applying the afterwax creams used her barehands to apply it on my legs. I wonder if there is a risk of the herpes virus around e.g from equipment/wax will it be rubbed into my skin? Somehow? I am afraid because I see small red spots all over my thighs and when I look closer, some areas are red. But this only appeared over the last 3 weeks, long after the waxing. But the hair is growing out. I posted above that I felt some tingling sensation in my thighs. Could it be the virus? I hope I don't go crazy. Sometimes I distract myself to be happy and not worry about this. Then these thoughts come again.

[Mistakeguy789]

Right now you need to be seen for the bump to find out what it is.  I believe if its been there just now and you get it swabed for cutlure that will put your mind to ease.  But right now you will not know until you do the proper testing.  Not every exposure will lead to a transmission.

He is sick.  Regardless if he knew he showed no caring for you or what he is doing.  Please work with a conselor at this point on what happened.

[gracefromHHP]

if you have symptoms now, be seen today or tomorrow if you can to have an exam done and if they suspect herpes, they can do a lesion culture of symptoms.  

I still recommending calling the rape crisis center. folks there are trained to support you through all of this. they are there for a reason - turn to them for support :)

[victimizedperson1]

Oh my goodness. Hi ms. Grace and Mistakeguy. I just came back from the police station. I spent 4 hours there. I don't know how things will turn out.

The investigating officer said that if the predator is charged in court, people will know about my case. It's so embarrassing and unfair. My life will be just...

And I seem to be having symptoms on the right side of my shaft. There is one small blister/bump. It's round. Herpes can look round right? One single blister? OMG. I can't believe I got it like that. I will go for a confirmatory test next week. I am trying to think of myself as already having herpes. So I don't go crazy when I do see the final results.

There are quite a bit of things on my mind now. What will be of my future? That guy, was he out to infect me? Did he know about this? Why would he do this? He seems sick. He has sex with so many people and molested a number of people. I heard this from another person who runs a chain of salons. She said many of her customers told her he molested them and they didn't report. I think they can testify.

This is so unfair. If people screw around so much and stuff and they get it, maybe that's a little understandable... But I did not fool around and will never! I am a virgin and a straight guy who had to have this. I won't even wish this on a bad person. It's a sick feeling.

[gracefromHHP]

I recommend you call your local rape counseling center and talk to them. You can find them online or in the phone book.  Talk to someone trained in this so that they can guide you through the process of dealing with this mentally as well as help you decide the best way to handle this. this man is a sexual predator and odds are you aren't the only person he's done this to.  

we don't know exactly why there are false positives on the hsv2 tests but there are. Once again, confirm your status because it's going to give you the most peace of mind, not because there's a high risk that you really do have hsv2.  

[victimizedperson1]

But I am not from the US. I am worried to a certain extent that it happens to some other person. Imagine if he has HIV or some other more serious illnesses and spreads it to the person. I think I went through this disgusting experience because someone he did this to before did not report. But do I have evidence to support my case?