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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.
Yes you are right, it is more than just IgG antibodies that can stick to the antigen in the testing wells to produce the false positive. It is possible not to be producing IgG and test positive, this happens in a small number of cases.
You are in a complex situation. I have only a straight answer, which I'll give later. In order of highest to lowest chance your situation is as follows:
(a) you have a false positive reading and are not producing IgG antibodies
(b) you have been recently infected by your current partner and you are commencing to produce IgG antibodies such that a subsequent test will record a higher antibody level
(c) you are a rare person who has the infection, possibly for a long time, but blood tests only detect a low level of antibodies for you.
You can use this information to help you decide upon your next steps. The pivotal uncertainty here is the status of your current partner if he is the only one in the 16 weeks leading into your test. Is this the case? If it is then you will need to make an assumption as to whether he has HSV2 or not. If you want to assume he doesn't and it has been 16 weeks or more since the preceding partner, then a negative WB will eliminate HSV2 infection from all preceding partners. If it comes back positive, you won't know the source and your current partner may well be the source or you may have given it to him if he tests positive.
My own view, it is too complex to continue with a sexual relationship in the absence of disclosure and further information. I'd say to the partner that there is no more sex until mutual testing is undertaken for all STDs. Both of you then have full STD testing including IgG antibodies for HSV1 and HSV2. Full printouts of the tests are obtained and placed next to each other for discussion. Now maybe your will be negative by then and all good, if not then you have the discussion about the WB further testing. If he doesn't have HSV2 then the 16 weeks is from the preceding partner. If he does, then 16 weeks from last sexual contact with him.
It is complex to work through even with full disclosure and testing let alone trying to continue without disclosure, testing and discussion. If this partner isn't willing to understand and work through this with you, then he isn't longer term material!
You are in a complex situation. I have only a straight answer, which I'll give later. In order of highest to lowest chance your situation is as follows:
(a) you have a false positive reading and are not producing IgG antibodies
(b) you have been recently infected by your current partner and you are commencing to produce IgG antibodies such that a subsequent test will record a higher antibody level
(c) you are a rare person who has the infection, possibly for a long time, but blood tests only detect a low level of antibodies for you.
You can use this information to help you decide upon your next steps. The pivotal uncertainty here is the status of your current partner if he is the only one in the 16 weeks leading into your test. Is this the case? If it is then you will need to make an assumption as to whether he has HSV2 or not. If you want to assume he doesn't and it has been 16 weeks or more since the preceding partner, then a negative WB will eliminate HSV2 infection from all preceding partners. If it comes back positive, you won't know the source and your current partner may well be the source or you may have given it to him if he tests positive.
My own view, it is too complex to continue with a sexual relationship in the absence of disclosure and further information. I'd say to the partner that there is no more sex until mutual testing is undertaken for all STDs. Both of you then have full STD testing including IgG antibodies for HSV1 and HSV2. Full printouts of the tests are obtained and placed next to each other for discussion. Now maybe your will be negative by then and all good, if not then you have the discussion about the WB further testing. If he doesn't have HSV2 then the 16 weeks is from the preceding partner. If he does, then 16 weeks from last sexual contact with him.
It is complex to work through even with full disclosure and testing let alone trying to continue without disclosure, testing and discussion. If this partner isn't willing to understand and work through this with you, then he isn't longer term material!
Thank you for the reassurance!
I will speak freely.....
Ok, now it's making sense! See that is the part I wasn't wrapping my head around. IT CAN be detecting something else that may make it a false positive......in my head I'm thinking, ok well if it's positive on a IgG, but not on a WB then what made the IgG positive in the first place for all these people and possibly me?
I wasn't taking any anti-virals. I took an antibiotic called Flagyll for the Bacterial Vaginosis I had gotten.
I had a feeling that you'd say that :/
Four months of anxiety! But I rather be accurate than unsure! I'll wait, it's just killing me to know. I'm trying not to stress, but on the one side my partner keeps wanting to have sex and asking me why I won't and I don't want to tell him what I'm going through because I don't think he'd be understanding. But explain me this if you can.....
So me and him have had unprotected sex before and after I've received these test results, so essentially if I do have it, either way he's been exposed and if I don't have it then we're safe. So why must you wait for months from the last time you had sex and not four months from when you got tested?
I guess what I'm asking is, would it be unwise to continue to have sex with him? even though he might have been exposed either way?
I will speak freely.....
Ok, now it's making sense! See that is the part I wasn't wrapping my head around. IT CAN be detecting something else that may make it a false positive......in my head I'm thinking, ok well if it's positive on a IgG, but not on a WB then what made the IgG positive in the first place for all these people and possibly me?
I wasn't taking any anti-virals. I took an antibiotic called Flagyll for the Bacterial Vaginosis I had gotten.
I had a feeling that you'd say that :/
Four months of anxiety! But I rather be accurate than unsure! I'll wait, it's just killing me to know. I'm trying not to stress, but on the one side my partner keeps wanting to have sex and asking me why I won't and I don't want to tell him what I'm going through because I don't think he'd be understanding. But explain me this if you can.....
So me and him have had unprotected sex before and after I've received these test results, so essentially if I do have it, either way he's been exposed and if I don't have it then we're safe. So why must you wait for months from the last time you had sex and not four months from when you got tested?
I guess what I'm asking is, would it be unwise to continue to have sex with him? even though he might have been exposed either way?
No apologies needed - all your questions are valid - that's what the forum is for!
What causes a false positive on the IgG hasn't been clearly elucidated in any of the reading I've done so far. If there are any medical personnel on this board, perhaps they can chime in. However, I do not think the IgG is detecting HSV antibodies when they return a false positive. It's likely something else that's falsely triggering the positive result.
By some chance, were you taking antivirals when you had the first test done? Terri Warren mentioned at a support meeting in Portland last year that if a patient is taking antivirals in the first few weeks following the primary infection, it can impact test results. No, I wouldn't predict for sure that whatever it was that caused a false positive will stay in your body forever.
And no, I really urge you to wait until 4 months has passed from exposure to get the Western Blot. Dr. Wald confirmed to me last August that this is the amount of time it usually takes to return an accurate result.
What causes a false positive on the IgG hasn't been clearly elucidated in any of the reading I've done so far. If there are any medical personnel on this board, perhaps they can chime in. However, I do not think the IgG is detecting HSV antibodies when they return a false positive. It's likely something else that's falsely triggering the positive result.
By some chance, were you taking antivirals when you had the first test done? Terri Warren mentioned at a support meeting in Portland last year that if a patient is taking antivirals in the first few weeks following the primary infection, it can impact test results. No, I wouldn't predict for sure that whatever it was that caused a false positive will stay in your body forever.
And no, I really urge you to wait until 4 months has passed from exposure to get the Western Blot. Dr. Wald confirmed to me last August that this is the amount of time it usually takes to return an accurate result.
Ok, beforehand let me apologize for any idiotic or seemingly irritating questions I may ask, just trying to sort this all out in my head.
So what do you mean "the element in my blood can dissipate?"
As in, if the WB comes back negative, than that initial 1.19 was my body creating antibodies, even though there wasn't a full on infection?
And if still comes back negative on WB, but positive on IgG's I'm not infected but they're elements of the virus that will always be in my body?
It's been on an off with this las partner, but we did have sex Sunday the 15th. However, I think from now on I'm going to insist we abstain. I haven't mentioned I might be infected, I know that may seem wrong, but I rather avoid the sex and not say anything until I know for sure. It's not an easy thing to tell someone.
So if it should be taken 4 months after, why would that nurse tell me 2 weeks is ok?
So what do you mean "the element in my blood can dissipate?"
As in, if the WB comes back negative, than that initial 1.19 was my body creating antibodies, even though there wasn't a full on infection?
And if still comes back negative on WB, but positive on IgG's I'm not infected but they're elements of the virus that will always be in my body?
It's been on an off with this las partner, but we did have sex Sunday the 15th. However, I think from now on I'm going to insist we abstain. I haven't mentioned I might be infected, I know that may seem wrong, but I rather avoid the sex and not say anything until I know for sure. It's not an easy thing to tell someone.
So if it should be taken 4 months after, why would that nurse tell me 2 weeks is ok?
It is up to you, sometimes the element in your blood can dissipate, other times, yes you may pretty much always test false positive. Hence if it falls negative, then that is what you will be.
How long is it exactly since your last encounter or are you still with a partner?
The WB needs to be taken 16 or more weeks after the last sexual episode to be conclusive about not having an infection.
How long is it exactly since your last encounter or are you still with a partner?
The WB needs to be taken 16 or more weeks after the last sexual episode to be conclusive about not having an infection.
So I found out that Planned Parenthood, a non-profit that provides OB/Gyn and Womens Care Services in Florida does use the IgG Elisa for HSV 2, but if it comes back positive they confirm it with the Western Blot.
Now the nurse I spoke to said I only have to wait two weeks to retest, do you all think this is a good route to take?
I feel like it be easier than me trying to do the western blot process myself.
Now the nurse I spoke to said I only have to wait two weeks to retest, do you all think this is a good route to take?
I feel like it be easier than me trying to do the western blot process myself.
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