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Concerned and Confused HSV2 Results
Hi.
Naturally, after receiving results that I was positive for Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2, I'm throughly freaked out. Yet at the same time I'm having some doubts and just wondering if anyone can help with confirming or denying my suspicions. Or really any advice as to what I should do next.
So Here's my situation: The Physician's Assistant told me that I tested positive, but it was so low (1.19 Is what I believe she said) that I'm "barely positive" and it means I was "exposed" but not necessarily ever going to show symptoms. Now I've been doing some research and from what I understand 1.1 is the level in which medical professionals are required to tell you your positive. However, through some of these forums I've read that " the lower the levels, the more likely the result is false" and at such low levels there's only a 30-40% chance I actually have HSV2. Also, on another website I was researching, someone asked "Of those of you who tested low positive for HSV2 and sought out confirmatory tests, what were your results?"
Now only %14 turned out to be positive and %42 of those who sought a second opinion, turned out to be negative i.e. not infected. I took statistics, but I'm still unsure of whether that is a good enough percentage to feel assured I don't have it.
Moreover, I read that there are studies which state that those who also tested positive for HSV1, had more of a likelihood of the HSV2 test being false. So I don't know if this is irrational speculation, but I tested negative for HSV1, so does that mean I have MORE of a chance of my HSV2 results being true?
And the fact that I even tested with a 1.19 inclines me to conclude I have it definitely, correct? As in even though it's really low and maybe not active, I can still spread it? Because I DO have it??
Obviously I'm very lost on the subject and not very knowledgeable as to the how the virus functions, so PLEASE any and all feedback is welcomed!! What does this alllllll MEANNN?!
Naturally, after receiving results that I was positive for Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2, I'm throughly freaked out. Yet at the same time I'm having some doubts and just wondering if anyone can help with confirming or denying my suspicions. Or really any advice as to what I should do next.
So Here's my situation: The Physician's Assistant told me that I tested positive, but it was so low (1.19 Is what I believe she said) that I'm "barely positive" and it means I was "exposed" but not necessarily ever going to show symptoms. Now I've been doing some research and from what I understand 1.1 is the level in which medical professionals are required to tell you your positive. However, through some of these forums I've read that " the lower the levels, the more likely the result is false" and at such low levels there's only a 30-40% chance I actually have HSV2. Also, on another website I was researching, someone asked "Of those of you who tested low positive for HSV2 and sought out confirmatory tests, what were your results?"
Now only %14 turned out to be positive and %42 of those who sought a second opinion, turned out to be negative i.e. not infected. I took statistics, but I'm still unsure of whether that is a good enough percentage to feel assured I don't have it.
Moreover, I read that there are studies which state that those who also tested positive for HSV1, had more of a likelihood of the HSV2 test being false. So I don't know if this is irrational speculation, but I tested negative for HSV1, so does that mean I have MORE of a chance of my HSV2 results being true?
And the fact that I even tested with a 1.19 inclines me to conclude I have it definitely, correct? As in even though it's really low and maybe not active, I can still spread it? Because I DO have it??
Obviously I'm very lost on the subject and not very knowledgeable as to the how the virus functions, so PLEASE any and all feedback is welcomed!! What does this alllllll MEANNN?!
Best Answer
Hi, if you did your test 2 or 3 months post exposure bottom line is you need retesting for confirmation as falls into the false positive range. If you tested eariler it is a sign of a recent infection and testing at the 3 months mark would be required to confirm.
Yep. Condoms only protect 30% of the time. Some of the latter has to do with the fact that virus can shed outside the original point of entry. For genital herpes, this is anywhere in the "boxer short" region, between waist and mid-thigh, and lower in rare cases. One of my outbreaks, for example, happens near my tailbone.
You're right, he does need to know, at least after the 4 months.
So you can have sex with someone who is positive, WITH a condom, and still get it? even if the condom didn't break or had any holes?
So you can have sex with someone who is positive, WITH a condom, and still get it? even if the condom didn't break or had any holes?
Yes, you can be negative if he's positive. It's not a guarantee that transmission will occur from a positive partner. Shedding doesn't occur every day. According to a 2008 study, HSV-2, for example only sheds on the average about 20% of days, and this is not likely to be constant for 24 hours at a time.
This is up to you, but I do think he needs to know that he could actually be positive and spreading the virus to others. At least after the 4 months, maybe contact him again and tell him to get the Western Blot. Your call.
Yes, if your'e actually negative now and don't have sex, you're certainly "safe." But be aware that condoms/barriers only protect against transmission about 30%.
This is up to you, but I do think he needs to know that he could actually be positive and spreading the virus to others. At least after the 4 months, maybe contact him again and tell him to get the Western Blot. Your call.
Yes, if your'e actually negative now and don't have sex, you're certainly "safe." But be aware that condoms/barriers only protect against transmission about 30%.
Can he be positive and I turn out negative?
And if I don't continue as his sexual partner,than shouldn't I be "safe"?
So long as I move forward insisting on protection with future partners or to see their test results before hand?
and I'm gonna wait the 4 months, as painful as they may be for me.
And if I don't continue as his sexual partner,than shouldn't I be "safe"?
So long as I move forward insisting on protection with future partners or to see their test results before hand?
and I'm gonna wait the 4 months, as painful as they may be for me.
Yes, that is the case, I do not know the status of my current partner. He said he had just got tested before me, but I never asked to see the paper results, which I should have.
I appreciate the descending order of what you think my situation is, I don't want to get to helpful, but as you, I feel like this really is a false positive.
I'm just going to avoid the sex and the discussion because either way, you're right. He is NOT longer term material!
I've just been realizing it from these past few weeks of treatment, since I've been telling him "No" when he wants to have sex. I don't want anything with anyone right now, it's too much with all I have going on.
So I forgot to ask this earlier in the thread, but what is the statistical average of cases, where people test positive, but it turns out to be false?
I appreciate the descending order of what you think my situation is, I don't want to get to helpful, but as you, I feel like this really is a false positive.
I'm just going to avoid the sex and the discussion because either way, you're right. He is NOT longer term material!
I've just been realizing it from these past few weeks of treatment, since I've been telling him "No" when he wants to have sex. I don't want anything with anyone right now, it's too much with all I have going on.
So I forgot to ask this earlier in the thread, but what is the statistical average of cases, where people test positive, but it turns out to be false?
I'll only add a couple more things - the 4 months has to do with this:
The test looks for antibodies to the virus. These begin to generate when you first contract the virus. That's why the exposure date is the marker to start counting the 4 months.
I'm not sure it's true that you're "safe" if you don't have it. You both need to be tested, because if he's positive, in spite of your potentially being negative now, you're still at risk for contracting the virus at some point in the future.
The test looks for antibodies to the virus. These begin to generate when you first contract the virus. That's why the exposure date is the marker to start counting the 4 months.
I'm not sure it's true that you're "safe" if you don't have it. You both need to be tested, because if he's positive, in spite of your potentially being negative now, you're still at risk for contracting the virus at some point in the future.
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