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False positive?
The past two weeks have been a crazy rollercoaster for me. Here is my story:
After noticing some itching and slight redness on my penis, I went to the clinic to get it examined. I was told it was a yeast infection and while I was relieved to hear that, they recommended me to get a std test. I had unprotected oral sex and protected vaginal sex on my last encounter, which was 20 days prior. I was a little concerned because it was a casual hookup and I didn't really know the person or her sexual history.
To my surprise, the HerpesSelect IGG test came back positive for HSV-1 and HSV-2. My index value for HSV-2 was 1.91. I was terrified and the test technician was saying things like "you were exposed to the virus but you don't have an infection". As I did more research, I quickly learned that acquiring the virus meant you had it. There is no difference between being exposed to it and actually having the virus as the virus never leaves your body.
My life was turned upside down and I was incredibly stressed and anxious and frankly scared. The following day, I even went out to get a HIV DNA test as well as a HSV-2 test BUT from a different website service. This website utilized Quest Diagnostics whereas my initial std test was done via a clinic. I waited nervously for days and got my tests back. I was negative for both. Additionally, my HSV-2 test score was .40.
There are a couple of things here that are quite confusing. How does taking the test twice over the span of two days yield positive, then negative with scores of 1.91 vs .4? The fluctuations are crazy. I should reiterate that the first test was done via a clinic and it was part of a 10-panel test, which included HSV-1 as well. The second test was done for purely HSV-2. I mention this because I read that it was possible for tests that do both HSV-1 and HSV-2 to yield false positives.
In short, can I safely assume that I'm out of the woods? I have no symtoms e.g. blisters and my doctor told me my itching/redness were due to a yeast infection. Am I correct in assuming that if I test negative 1 day after testing positive, that the positive was a FALSE positive? And lastly, I have read that it takes time for antibodies to develop. These tests were done basically 20 days after my last sexual encounter. Should I re-test in a few months to be safe or is this overkill?
After noticing some itching and slight redness on my penis, I went to the clinic to get it examined. I was told it was a yeast infection and while I was relieved to hear that, they recommended me to get a std test. I had unprotected oral sex and protected vaginal sex on my last encounter, which was 20 days prior. I was a little concerned because it was a casual hookup and I didn't really know the person or her sexual history.
To my surprise, the HerpesSelect IGG test came back positive for HSV-1 and HSV-2. My index value for HSV-2 was 1.91. I was terrified and the test technician was saying things like "you were exposed to the virus but you don't have an infection". As I did more research, I quickly learned that acquiring the virus meant you had it. There is no difference between being exposed to it and actually having the virus as the virus never leaves your body.
My life was turned upside down and I was incredibly stressed and anxious and frankly scared. The following day, I even went out to get a HIV DNA test as well as a HSV-2 test BUT from a different website service. This website utilized Quest Diagnostics whereas my initial std test was done via a clinic. I waited nervously for days and got my tests back. I was negative for both. Additionally, my HSV-2 test score was .40.
There are a couple of things here that are quite confusing. How does taking the test twice over the span of two days yield positive, then negative with scores of 1.91 vs .4? The fluctuations are crazy. I should reiterate that the first test was done via a clinic and it was part of a 10-panel test, which included HSV-1 as well. The second test was done for purely HSV-2. I mention this because I read that it was possible for tests that do both HSV-1 and HSV-2 to yield false positives.
In short, can I safely assume that I'm out of the woods? I have no symtoms e.g. blisters and my doctor told me my itching/redness were due to a yeast infection. Am I correct in assuming that if I test negative 1 day after testing positive, that the positive was a FALSE positive? And lastly, I have read that it takes time for antibodies to develop. These tests were done basically 20 days after my last sexual encounter. Should I re-test in a few months to be safe or is this overkill?
you have to wait 4 months post encounter for the herpes WB test.
you would need to post about hiv testing in the hiv prevention forum. I don't cover hiv testing.
correct, if you are going to notice symptoms they'd be within the first 3 weeks of infection.
you would need to post about hiv testing in the hiv prevention forum. I don't cover hiv testing.
correct, if you are going to notice symptoms they'd be within the first 3 weeks of infection.
Basically, what I want to re-affirm is that I'm currently "negative" in that the positive test was a false positive, based on the fact that I tested negative the following day and false negatives are rare since the test is overly sensitive. I definitely realize that being "negative" right now does not mean anything since I need to wait 3 months but it would be comforting to know that the positive test was incorrect.
Also, for people who show symptoms, it's usually within 20 days right?
Also, for people who show symptoms, it's usually within 20 days right?
The HIV DNA test should be good though right? I was told 20 days is enough time for that one.
I will definitely get tested in 3 months, I'm thinking about getting the Western Blot test to be 100% sure.
However, it's fair to say that the first positive test was a false positive right, since I tested negative right afterwards.
I will definitely get tested in 3 months, I'm thinking about getting the Western Blot test to be 100% sure.
However, it's fair to say that the first positive test was a false positive right, since I tested negative right afterwards.
unfortunately all your testing was done too early from your last encounter. To err on the side of caution, repeat your herpes igg blood testing 3 months after the last time you had sex. protected sex does decrease the risk of infection for hsv2 but it dosen't totally eliminate it. also syphilis testing done before 6 weeks post encounter is too early too. you can discuss with your provider the rates of syphilis locally to see if it's worth repeating it or not.
I know, not a sunshine, lollypops and rainbows answer but it's an educated one to help you decide what to do next.
grace
I know, not a sunshine, lollypops and rainbows answer but it's an educated one to help you decide what to do next.
grace
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
