Can a Reading of >5 Be a False Positive?

[carmela325]

I'm 57 y/o, a widow, live alone and have not been sexually active in over 4 years. Last week I went to a Nurse Practitioner for a well woman check up where she took blood, did a breast exam, pap smear, etc. Test results came back HSV1 and HSV2 both >5. I have never in my entire life had any symptoms of herpes whatsoever. No itching, no redness, no blisters, discharge, tingling, etc. Nothing, and never! Never in my life ever even had a cold sore. This NP also says my pap smear indicates that I've tested positive for trichomonaisis as well. I am completely shocked and devastated. Again---NO SYMPTOMS whatsoever.

My last ww check up was in 2011 and other than slightly elevated cholesterol and blood pressure levels, I was fine-----no sign of an STD. I was celibate then just as I am celibate now. My question is what are the chances of a false reading all the way around? Because either the NP 2 years ago gave me the wrong information or this NP is giving me the wrong information now and I have no idea which but it is making me really sad. She is insisting on placing me on medication and has already called prescriptions into the pharmacy. I've explained to her that I believe she is in gross error and I need another test run, but she's assured me that the lab results are correct.  

From everything I've read >5 is a lot and probably indicates that there is indeed antibodies in my bloodstream. Should I go to an entirely different place for an entirely different set of tests? What are the chances that this is a false positive reading? How common is it to walk around for years and years with herpes and never even know it? I've never had even a pimple and certainly never had a blister!  

[Fleetwood20]

The NP is not necessarily displaying deep knowledge here. This doesn't mean you aren't infected, just that you aren't getting the detailed knowledge you might need.

Often at check ups, they do old fashioned or indicator style tests.

A 'combined' test will be positive if antibodies to either or both HSV1 and HSV2 are present. You only get one result and the test result may say something like IgG AB HSV 1/2 >5 (H). This is pretty useless in what it tells you. You may have an oral infection from your youth that just doesn't result in cold sores.

The 'type specific' tests are designed to attract specifically the HSV1 or HSV2 antibodies to the testing plates to reveal a positive. Hence you get two results.

IgG antibodies commenced being produced 1 to 3 months after infection and remain with you for life. IgM are typically produced during the first month of infection and then sporadically thereafter.

The presence and scoring relating to antibodies bears no real relationship to the 'activity' of the virus in terms of causing outbreaks etc.

Try to obtain a printout of the results for further investigation.

[carmela325]

What the Nurse Practitioner has told me is that the lab tests for both HSV1 and HSV2. This was an antibody test IgG. There was also an IgM, but she said the results are 'pending'. She said that means the antibodies are not active at present---they're laying dormant.

I do not actually know if this was a combined test or if it was done separately. If you don't mind, can you explain the difference? Thank you.

[Fleetwood20]

Could you confirm that you have definitely had the IgG antibody test? As opposed say to an IgM test. Also, was it a combined HSV1/2 test or were there separate results for HSV1 and HSV2?

This is most critical to ascertain first.