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Herpes Help
Don't understand what is going on? Had a risky brief unprotected sexual encounter with 21 YO F that I don't know. 12 days past exposure no lesions or symptoms other than frequent need to urinate which I contribute to stress & anxiety. Took full panel STD test at 8 days mainly concerned about ghon or chlym. Came back positive for HSV-2 igg 2.6. Was test 12 months ago, 6 months after last exposure and was negative for everything. What is the chance that could test igg positive after 8 days. That seems really early from what I have read. Is this a false positive? Can't believe it would be reliable that soon after exposure with no fever, lesions or other symptoms. Please help and advise what I should do next. Thanks!!!!
I do not feel that the current partner represents an issue in terms of a possible herpes infection. If your preceding partner was more than 16 weeks prior to you taking the test, then I would consider proceeding straight to Westernblot now.
Commercial IgG tests all use the antigen gG-2 to detect antibodies. Your blood may clear of the proteins generating a false positive in a few weeks or maybe not.
There is some information on the UW website about taking the test. Perhaps take some printouts to your doctor and discuss the test. Some know UW testing and how to go about it, some don't believe such a test exists!
You can also become a phone patient of Westover Heights Clinic who are experts in organizing the test.
Commercial IgG tests all use the antigen gG-2 to detect antibodies. Your blood may clear of the proteins generating a false positive in a few weeks or maybe not.
There is some information on the UW website about taking the test. Perhaps take some printouts to your doctor and discuss the test. Some know UW testing and how to go about it, some don't believe such a test exists!
You can also become a phone patient of Westover Heights Clinic who are experts in organizing the test.
So what should my next steps be? Do I get another igg test and try to confirm the findings? Should I use the same company or a different one? The testing was done at labcorp. Are all of the igg tests done there the same? I am going to be in Seattle this week, how would I get tested for WB at UW?
I'd suggest that if you are positive then it would be beyond reasonable doubt you were infected prior to the encounter you describe.
Thank you for your reply. I did test for HSV-1 at the same time. Came back negative. I wasn't really testing for herpes, I just did the full panel because it was cheaper than doing the individual tests. Really didn't think there was any chance for a positive test. Assuming it is a false positive. If it does turn out to be positive could it possible be from this encounter? I have been reading everywhere and everything says can't test positive 8 days after exposure. Person from the company that supplies the test said it would take 4 weeks to produce detectable antibodies.
It would be virtually impossible to test positive at 2.6 for true IgG antibodies 8 days after exposure.
You should always get tested for HSV1 at the same time to understand your status, did you?
The reading lies in the false positive range and with no genital symptoms it is as likely as not this is a false positive. Confirmation is required.
If you are concerned about the current exposure, and given no lesions there is no particular reason to have concerns given the low odds of transmission per episode, then consider a Westernblot test in 16 weeks. This will be definitive in terms of your status after the encounter you describe.
You should always get tested for HSV1 at the same time to understand your status, did you?
The reading lies in the false positive range and with no genital symptoms it is as likely as not this is a false positive. Confirmation is required.
If you are concerned about the current exposure, and given no lesions there is no particular reason to have concerns given the low odds of transmission per episode, then consider a Westernblot test in 16 weeks. This will be definitive in terms of your status after the encounter you describe.
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