i tested 1.2 for type 2 herpes on a blood test; initially i had red spots on the tip and the shaft of my penis. The physician i went to said she didnt think that it was herpes because it was not painful but it was sensitive and she said it could be from having rough sex. i had never noticed symptoms before in my life. She said it was a good possibility that the results are not correct. Then I went to a specialist and he said blood tests don't mean anything. what are your thoughts on it and what should i do?
Grace answered this above: "alcohol has no effect on your blood testing." Move on from herpes.
Actually, I just wanted to know if alcohol in my blood could have created a false negative.
I'm not doing any more testing.
The testing they do at NY Presbyterian is as follows:
Combined test (non type specific).
If any positive result, then they test specific
If still a need, they use Western Blot
They advised me that if I was positive to either HSV 1 or HSV 2, it would show up in the combined test and that there was no need for a type specific test.
They also don't use Herpes Select due to the history of false positives.
What do I know about what specialists should or shouldn't do? I'm just a poor slob who would like to have some peace of mind.
I'm not sure why a "specialist" would order non-type specific testing including igm testing. makes absolutely no sense.
all your previous positives were under 5 and confirmed as negative by WB. really no reason for more testing at this point it appears.
At least six years had gone by and I had not tested. But my situation has changed and it is possible that I will start dating again. I will not, though, if there is any chance that I might transmit genital herpes.
The discussions I had with the University of Washington and with Dr. Handsfield and with Focus Technologies never resolved why Herpes Select kept coming up positive for HSV 2 and Western Blot kept coming up negative.
.
During a routine visit with my Dermatologist, he said that I should have never gotten tested at all, but now that I had opened Pandora's box, I should see an expert in the field to help resolve my issues. So I saw a doctor at New York Presbyterian..
Elisa tests were done and came back completely negative for HSV 1 and HSV 2. But I didn't realize I was going to be tested and had done some social drinking the two days preceding the tests. Two cocktails two nights prior, and one or two glasses of wine on the night prior. I also have a glass of wine every other day or so as a matter of course. I am prepared to accept the negative findings of this latest Elisa, and want to, but I just want to make sure that alcohol didn't create false negatives.
If you would prefer me not to continue posting, that's all right. I apologize if I have overstepped my bounds. Thank you and Dr. Handsfield for all previous help.
alcohol has no effect on your blood testing.
you have consulted with the U of washington about your prior test results. you have posted to Dr Handsfield a few years back about them also. Why are you still continuing to test for herpes at this point?
grace