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False positive HSV2?
In late August I developed a rash on my torso just below the shoulder blade (back) and pectoral (front) both on the left side after working in my yard without a shirt on. Both started out as red bumps some larger than others and then developed into small clear blisters. It lasted for two weeks? The rash itched but was not severely painful. I have been under a lot of stress so Shingles was a consideration also a reaction to a plant was considered. Two or so weeks later I found out my fiancee had been having unprotected sex with what he described as her boyfriend of ten months. I was living a monogomous lifestyle and she was not. I scheduled an appointment with my doctor and got tested for the full spectrum.
I described the rash to the Doc during my visit and showed him the light scarring and he said he doubted HSV2 because of location. The letter I received from him regarding test results had no data, it only said the test for HSV1 was negative and HSV2 positive but that he felt the HSV2 was a false positive probably caused by an infection in the past, and to continue life as usual with no further action at this time. Meaning no treatment at this time?
It has been over a month since the rash and no re-occurence has developed. I told my ex and she denied having anything.Well she screamed and yelled and called herself bad but in my opinion honest names. Although I don't know of her being tested, she had a "miscarriage" at 5 months ( I am sure it wasn't mine like she claimed) in April and said her Gyno tested her for STD's when she started prenatal care. For obvious reasons I doubt her honesty.
I know this sounds like a Soap Opera and is probably to much unrelated info but I am at a loss as what to do and thought the more you knew the better. I can not go on as usual if I am not sure. When do I go for a retest to try to confirm? Do I just wait for another outbreak and have it cultured? What if I do not have another outbreak? Would a shingles outbreak cause the HSV2 antibodies to elevate and cause this "false positive"?
I have scoured the internet and found nothing. At this point anything would be helpful.
I described the rash to the Doc during my visit and showed him the light scarring and he said he doubted HSV2 because of location. The letter I received from him regarding test results had no data, it only said the test for HSV1 was negative and HSV2 positive but that he felt the HSV2 was a false positive probably caused by an infection in the past, and to continue life as usual with no further action at this time. Meaning no treatment at this time?
It has been over a month since the rash and no re-occurence has developed. I told my ex and she denied having anything.Well she screamed and yelled and called herself bad but in my opinion honest names. Although I don't know of her being tested, she had a "miscarriage" at 5 months ( I am sure it wasn't mine like she claimed) in April and said her Gyno tested her for STD's when she started prenatal care. For obvious reasons I doubt her honesty.
I know this sounds like a Soap Opera and is probably to much unrelated info but I am at a loss as what to do and thought the more you knew the better. I can not go on as usual if I am not sure. When do I go for a retest to try to confirm? Do I just wait for another outbreak and have it cultured? What if I do not have another outbreak? Would a shingles outbreak cause the HSV2 antibodies to elevate and cause this "false positive"?
I have scoured the internet and found nothing. At this point anything would be helpful.
Sorry to hear that you've been going thru all this :(
Your rash on your shoulder area wasn't likely to be hsv2. That would be a very unusual dermatone for it to show up on. Since it's gone, no way to figure out what it was at this point anyways. Shingles rarely reoccurs so if this reoccurs again, see your provider and if they say shingles, make them prove it with a culture because it's likely not to be. You said you were outside in the sun with a shirt off - could've been a contact dermatitis from something, a skin reaction to the sun or many other things. You could also be the statistical oddball and have hsv2 on that area but a culture would also determine that if it reoccurs.
You will need additional testing to figure out if you are really hsv2 + or not. The lab your provider is using evidently is only reporting in + or - which is only helpful up to a point. ruling out a false positive is in your best interest for multiple reasons ( I'm going to assume you didn't have a herpes WB done which is the only test that it's ok to report back as + or -, well the biokit reports as that too but that only tests for hsv2 so I know you didn't have that test done ). I recommend waiting another month or two and then getting a herpes WB to confirm your status and then go from there.
grace
Your rash on your shoulder area wasn't likely to be hsv2. That would be a very unusual dermatone for it to show up on. Since it's gone, no way to figure out what it was at this point anyways. Shingles rarely reoccurs so if this reoccurs again, see your provider and if they say shingles, make them prove it with a culture because it's likely not to be. You said you were outside in the sun with a shirt off - could've been a contact dermatitis from something, a skin reaction to the sun or many other things. You could also be the statistical oddball and have hsv2 on that area but a culture would also determine that if it reoccurs.
You will need additional testing to figure out if you are really hsv2 + or not. The lab your provider is using evidently is only reporting in + or - which is only helpful up to a point. ruling out a false positive is in your best interest for multiple reasons ( I'm going to assume you didn't have a herpes WB done which is the only test that it's ok to report back as + or -, well the biokit reports as that too but that only tests for hsv2 so I know you didn't have that test done ). I recommend waiting another month or two and then getting a herpes WB to confirm your status and then go from there.
grace
even some race populations even have antibodis for herpes (really weired africans,spanish, and indians)and for this reason it says on the brochure packet to use w caution peoeple w herpes enseliphitus etc...it even says not to use if there is a low chance of herpes infection without symptoms. then some doctors even say your suppposed to have a positive culture first before bloodwork can be done if no symptoms in order to begin treatrment so idunno hope somethin helps
yeah i'm having the same problem! its like at least 10 of us on here w the same stoopid test problems with no symptoms or with symptoms non related to herpes. i hope u didnt use the focus hsv igg test (the one i used) that might be why especially if you dont use the conformation test (rapid hsv igg bio kit) there is a chance for false positives if your alissa score is under 3.5 some people were telling me even 3.0. everyones test is never at zero becasuse of chicken pox, shinges, herpes vaccines, chicken pox vaccines etc...i think it could flucuate test but who knows i dont even think focus technologies knows! sorry if you read some of my blogs hope its answers some questions.
Then I would'nt even give it a second thought! Thats pretty common for it to be negative hsv1 and positive hsv-2 with blood tests and the person not have it at all. My bet is shingles.
Blood test was done. I got checked for everything I could. The rash was cleared by the time I visited the doctor.
Did they perform a culture or a blood test? Usually cultures are supposed to be conclusive but I'm kind of in the same situation because my culture was positive and 2 tests and 2 years later I still have negative blood test. I doubt you have it simply because of the location. Its possible but the chances are miniscule according to what I've been reading the last 2 years. Cheer up. If you really want to know for sure, talk to your doc about the Western Blot test.
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