Second test

[MrD321]

Had a positive blood test of 1.9 with no symptoms,taken 8 days ago.How long is best to wait for another test?

The most likely possible exposure was twice(with condom)4 and  5 months ago if that matters.

[Fleetwood20]

The tests include wells that are coated with antigen, which are something like rabbit liver cells infected with a strain of the relevant HSV type (termed antigens). Through experimentation this process has been refined such that the antigens are designed to attract the relevant antibodies. Sometimes other stuff just reacts to the antigen, it doesn't happen often and I don't believe it is well understood, but it just does. Hence it is other antibodies and proteins that cause the false positive and not that your body is making the right antibody in error or other reason.

[MrD321]

First,thank you so much for your responses,its much appreciated.

One thing in my research I have not found a clear answer to is,if you are in the range of false/positive,and ultimately you are deemed negative,what would be some of the reasons your body might produce enough antibodies to get a reading at all?

Thanks again,this is very helpful

[Fleetwood20]

When you talk about 'most likely possible exposure' was 5 months ago, unless this infers no sex at all in the past 5 months then there has been exposure (unless they have physically shown you a negative HSV2 result and observed the window periods). You don't have to tell us about it here, but if you have had any sex in the past 5 months, then there is a possible exposure.

If there has been any sex in the past 5 months, then I support a further commercial test that is 12 weeks post the last time you have had sex.

If there has been no sex in the past 5 months, then you can cut to the chase and have a Westernblot that will be conclusive.

It is good that she is getting tested, but unless you have had a fully negative test somewhere in the past, you may have been carrying the infection (should it prove to be one) a very long time.

A reading of 1.9 would not be unheard of at all for someone infected 5 months prior.  Some people produce spikes and dips in their readings for various reasons including in the first few months post infection as the body is learning its way.

I also don't agree with the doctor, you are not at a reading level that reaches the high level of accuracy that the doctor describes.

[Life360_Dave]

Theres not way of knowing the only answer to this concern it to retest in 2 months. It could be a false positive, or not many antibodies have developed to a long term infection or a recently acquired infection.

[MrD321]

Again sorry about how I explained it.The Doctor said below 2% IS a false/positive,the chances for it ultimately to be negative were  2%.In  her words that means there is only a 2% chance of it being negative and a 98% chance of it being positive ultimately.However in my research I have never seen that put to a #.

Is it common to get a low  reading after 5 months,and it increase,or is there no bearing whatsoever.I say 5 months,because I cant possibly find any other time or person in my situation.Have spoken to her,she indicates she has had no prior knowledge or signs of H2.

Ironically we had both come from very long term(10 yrs +) of monogamy prior.Still used condoms,and had sex twice.She is getting tested.

Thanks again,this is very helpful

[Life360_Dave]

There are many different theories as to what % it affects but bottom line is that a low value like yours, can mean a false positive or a recently accquired infection. Only a second test in 2 months will confirm either way. If your exposue is 5 months ago then it really leans toward a false positive or even just low number in itself. A person can very well have a 1.9 and test 5 more times and it will still be 1.9 and will still mean its positive.

If a doctor told you that anything under 3.5 was indeed false, he is absolutly wrong. Also you yourself mention that there is a 2 % so why consider the doctors opinion at all.

[MrD321]

Very sorry tested 1.9 for  H2.H1 came up negative.

Understand false/positive(I think)but what do you exactly mean by 1-10 come up this way.

Was told by a Doctor working for the testing web site(free consultation)that anything under 3.5 was indeed false positive but there is only a 2% chance of it being false,and any number in that range is not more or less false/positive.
Thank you for any help

[Life360_Dave]

Hi well is does fall into the low positive range which indicates a false negative and 1 out of 10 show up as this. But was this for hsv1 or 2? Very important to know this.