Confused about IgG results

[da_georgia306]

Dr. Warren,
I was recently tested for Herpes 1 and 2, because of what my Midwife thought was a shingles outbreak on my neck. I am currently 33 weeks pregnant. I received my results Monday and these were the results.
HSV IgG- 4.35
HSV IgG- 0.91
I have been with my husband for 3 years and have never seen an outbreak on him or myself. Both of us are faithful in our relationship. Do I have both types of herpes even though I have never notice ANY symptoms at all not even a fever blister?

[gracefromHHP]

if hubby tests negative for hsv2, I wouldn't bother with more hsv2 testing for yourself.  

could you have hsv2 and not have transmitted it to your partner ? of course - that's the way it normally goes :)

correct - herpes igg blood testing can be falsely negative when done in the 3rd trimester.  doesn't matter what test you have done. you really can't accurately confirm your hsv2 status with a WB or a biokit at this time.

[da_georgia306]

I am going to get my husband tested. If his results come out negative, does that mean I don't have herpes? I am going to get retested but the thought of waiting 3 months would kill me. Do you think we could have gone all this time without him contracting either type? So at this time, due to me being so close to end of pregnancy my results for HSV 2 could be inaccurate? Would the Biokit results be as accurate as the WB? How do I go about getting either one if my Dr. refuses to order one?

[gracefromHHP]

no, your hsv2 igg is negative.   that said, due to the natural hemodilution of your blood during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, herpes igg blood testing can be inaccurate.  

really a shame she didn't do a lesion culture to confirm shingles before you started treatment. would've given you much faster and accurate results and saved a lot of time and money :(  

[da_georgia306]

So you think my HSV 2 results are accurate? Negative? So the results can be inaccurate at this point in pregnancy? 33 weeks? No she didn't swab it she just said that it looks like shingles to her and when my results came in she said she thinks thats what I have is shingles. When I called her about the results she said that I was positive for both HSV 1 and 2. I will tell my husband to get tested I just don't know how to tell him. I have been very stressed and have not been able to eat or sleep and my midwife doesn't seem very concerned about him getting tested. She just said that I could have him tested if I wanted to but that it was pointless since I tested positive for both. Are the test results for the Biokit just as accurate as the WB?

[gracefromHHP]

actually you are too far along in pregnancy to confirm your hsv2 status. testing for herpes in the 3rd trimester has various problems as it is.   There isn't any reason to waste your money on a herpes WB at this point.   your hsv2 was negative and it's not likely at all that your neck rash is hsv2 related.  if it's really important to your gyn, your hubby getting tested would be the next step.

did they do a swab of your neck rash to confirm shingles?

[da_georgia306]

For what she thinks was a shingles outbreak on my neck. But she did also tell me that I will have to take the Valtrex in my last month of pregnancy to avoid any outbreaks. I asked her why and she said because I tested positive for both types. That is why I am confused and she refuses to go over the test results with me. Do you think me taking the Valtrex will affect my baby in a negative way? So from what you think, I do not have type 2? Does the Western Blot differentiate between the types of HSV or does it just show if you are positive for type 2? Does the test have to be Dr. ordered or can I order it from the UW?

[ehbeedub]

I'm a bit confused -- why were you prescribed Valtrex?

Equivocal means neither positive nor negative. I'm not sure how pregnancy affects it, but taken seven months since your last sexual encounter, it will be accurate.

The test itself is $162.50 plus whatever your lab charges to draw blood (if anything -- some insurance covers that) and the cost of shipping the sample.

[da_georgia306]

Ok thank you. Is that the price for just the test? No lab fee's included right? Me being pregnant, does that throw off my results at all? Is there any chance that shingles might have affected my HSV 1 results? I am on valtrex. equivocal means that it's not sure right? My midwife told me that it might be too early to tell if it's an early infection but, I have not had sexual intercourse in about 7 months since i found out i was pregnant.

[ehbeedub]

It looks fairly conclusive that you have HSV-1 -- the strain of herpes that is typically associated with cold sores. Many people with this strain don't ever remember having a cold sore, but even so, it's most likely that you have this strain orally and have had it for a long time.

Your HSV-2 score is not positive, but equivocal. Most people with equivocal results are truly negative, something like 90 - 95%. Having HSV-1 can skew these numbers.

If you need peace of mind about your status, you can seek out a Western Blot test through the University of Washington. The test will conclusively tell you your status. Though it is a bit expensive ($160ish), it's a low cost for peace of mind.

Best of luck!

[da_georgia306]

Sorry I am fairly new at this. I was tested for Shingles and my midwife also tested for Herpes, I am 33 weeks pregnant. I got the following results and she told me i was positive for both.
HSV 1 IgG- 4.35
HSV 2 IgG- 0.91
Do i really have both types of herpes? I have not told my husband yet as I am afraid he will leave me with my child. I really don't know what to do. I have NEVER had an outbreak of any kind and as far as I know neither has my husband. We have been together for 3 years. Please help.

[gracefromHHP]

this isn't Terri's forum - you have to pay to post there.

if you want me to answer your question I gladly will but please clarify your test results - you forgot the 1 and 2 in front of the results. thanks!

grace