Confirming Test Results For HSV 1 And HSV 2

[John4600]

Background: I had unprotected sex with a girl about 3 months ago and the day after I noticed an itchy rash on my stomach leading down to the genital area, but there was no irritation or sores of any kind in the genital area. I wrote it off as nothing (big mistake) and had sex with the same girl again a few weeks later. This time I noticed nothing unusual afterwards.

Then about 3 weeks after the second sexual encounter I noticed a breakout of a small group of about 5 sores on the shaft of my penis. Comparing with pictures on the internet it looked like it might be herpes. So I ordered a 8 panel test online and went into Labcorp for testing. Labcorp did this test: HSV 1 and 2-Specific Ab, IgG

Here are the results of the HSV portion of the test:

HSV 1 IgG, Type Spec 1.85 HIGH 0.00-0.90 index TA
Negative 1.09


HSV 2 IgG, Type Spec 1.08 HIGH 0.00-0.90 index TA
Negative 1.09


I am confused as to why the results show "HIGH" for both HSV 1 and 2; and it seems the HSV 2 result is showing in "equivocal" range. Being that I had a sore on my penis, I thought the result would be more clear for HSV 2, but it seems to be borderline.

I'm perplexed as to why I am showing as positive for HSV 1, and I have never even had a sore or anything near my mouth. Could this be a false result?

I'm not sure how to interpret these results and how I should follow up to confirm my health status... I appreciate your help.

[gracefromHHP]

your regular provider is fine for being seen at.

1 out of every 2-3 adults in the US alone has hsv1 orally. it's incredibly common and only 20-40% of folks who have it, get obvious cold sores to know it. you also do not have to have an obvious cold sore present to transmit the virus either.

[John4600]

Thanks for your input. I have not talked to the girl about it yet because I wanted to understand the results first.

Where should I go for a lesion culture when symptoms reappear?

Also, I do not understand is the HSV-1 result... I have never had a cold sore in my entire life, not even once. And I have never kissed anyone who has had a sore on or near their mouth...

How is it that I have HSV-1?

[gracefromHHP]

your hsv1 igg is positive. indeed it's a low positive but we don't seem to have the same false positive issues with hsv1 testing as we do hsv2.

your hsv2 igg is still negative however you tested too early after the encounter for your testing to be accurate. you will need to wait and repeat your herpes igg blood testing 3-4 months post encounter for better answers. should you get a return of symptoms before then, be seen promptly for an exam and if they suspect herpes, they can do a lesion culture and typing on symptoms.

have you talked to this gal and asked her if she's been tested for herpes since her last partner?

your syphilis, hepatitis and hiv testing was also done too early when you had your panel done.

grace

[anderson1234]

Both values are borderline so you might want to retake the test at a later (say 12-16 weeks from the last sexual encounter) date to confirm. I've read many cases here on medhelp, where someone has HSV-2 IgG value in the equivocal range if they're positive for HSV-1. In many of those cases a confirmatory Western Blot test has revealed, that the HSV-2 was in fact a false positive.

You mentioned that you took the test 3 weeks from latest sexual encounter. It might be so that both of these values are still rising (if you were unfortunate enough to catch both HSV-1 and HSV-2 from this encounter). These results might indicate a recent infection. Repeating the test later will give more information.

I'm not surprised that you don't remember getting cold sores but are still HSV-1 positive. Many people have oral HSV-1 without symptoms, it's very common.