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Help understanding HSV Results
At a routine exam I asked for STD testing, including HSV. I'm pretty low risk, I just think it's the responsible thing for a sexually active adult to do. The last time I had sex was almost exactly 2 months prior to taking the test.
I was shocked by the result. The test was done abroad, and the results sent by email. This is all it says:
Method/Specimen: IFA/serum
Test: HSV Ab. (Type I&II), IgG
Result: 1.256
Reference range: negative >1.1
In black and white terms, a positive result(?). Like many before me, I have been all over the internet reading up on this, and I need a little help getting it sorted.
1. I have read that there are those who believe a better reference range for a positive result might be >3.5. Is this accurate and can you address the logic behind it (yea or nay)?
2. The way the test is presented, I'm unclear if it's HSV 1, HSV 2, or if it's potentially a combination of the two? Is it possible to have a collective result that presents positive when each alone would be negative (i.e. HSV 1 at .8, HSV 2 at .5 combining to present at 1.3)?
3. What is the likelihood of a false positive given the latest possible date of exposure and the fairly low positive result?
4. Next steps?
I'm obviously in denial, and hoping there's an alternative to a herpes diagnosis (I do intend to be retested at a later date; I am not currently active).
Your insight is appreciated. Thanks!
I was shocked by the result. The test was done abroad, and the results sent by email. This is all it says:
Method/Specimen: IFA/serum
Test: HSV Ab. (Type I&II), IgG
Result: 1.256
Reference range: negative >1.1
In black and white terms, a positive result(?). Like many before me, I have been all over the internet reading up on this, and I need a little help getting it sorted.
1. I have read that there are those who believe a better reference range for a positive result might be >3.5. Is this accurate and can you address the logic behind it (yea or nay)?
2. The way the test is presented, I'm unclear if it's HSV 1, HSV 2, or if it's potentially a combination of the two? Is it possible to have a collective result that presents positive when each alone would be negative (i.e. HSV 1 at .8, HSV 2 at .5 combining to present at 1.3)?
3. What is the likelihood of a false positive given the latest possible date of exposure and the fairly low positive result?
4. Next steps?
I'm obviously in denial, and hoping there's an alternative to a herpes diagnosis (I do intend to be retested at a later date; I am not currently active).
Your insight is appreciated. Thanks!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You're welcome.
Terri
Terri
Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
We do a final test at 16 weeks to determine infection, as best it can be determined.
Terri
Terri
Thank you for your time, patience and expertise. Many of us come here in a state of high anxiety and it makes us all a little nuts. You are an incredible resource. I understand that you've finished with this thread, but would like to ask one last, "yes or no" question and to clarify one thing:
To clarify, I have absolute trust in your information. When I asked about the testing company's comment I was not doubting the veracity of your information, I was (and still am) dismayed by the amount of misinformation being put forth by medical professionals and companies putting themselves in positions of authority. I don't expect medical professionals to be expert on everything, but this is not an obscure condition. It's inexcusable to me.
My last question: If were your patient, would you recommend retesting at 12+ weeks?
Thank you again for your time and effort.
To clarify, I have absolute trust in your information. When I asked about the testing company's comment I was not doubting the veracity of your information, I was (and still am) dismayed by the amount of misinformation being put forth by medical professionals and companies putting themselves in positions of authority. I don't expect medical professionals to be expert on everything, but this is not an obscure condition. It's inexcusable to me.
My last question: If were your patient, would you recommend retesting at 12+ weeks?
Thank you again for your time and effort.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I dont' know why the testing company would put whatever they put on the test results. I am referring to the scientific literature on this topic. If you are negative at 10 weeks, that's great and with probably 80-85% certainty, you don't have HSV 2.
This is my final post on this thread.
Terri
This is my final post on this thread.
Terri
I just got my results. Negative for both! I don't have specific values, all that was reported was HSV-1 >.91 and HSV-2 >.91. At just over 10 weeks, how much can I rely on this? Do I need to be retested?
I know: I was supposed to wait 12 - 16 weeks but I couldn't help myself. I went in for testing yesterday at just over 10 weeks. :P
I did the HerpeSelect type specific test. My question is, how accurate is the test at 10 weeks? And why would the testing group give a much smaller window?
"...the time between a possible exposure and when the test can accurately detect antibodies—is about 3 to 6 weeks. The amount of time to develop herpes antibodies varies by person, so retesting at 4 to 6 weeks is recommended for negative results."
I did the HerpeSelect type specific test. My question is, how accurate is the test at 10 weeks? And why would the testing group give a much smaller window?
"...the time between a possible exposure and when the test can accurately detect antibodies—is about 3 to 6 weeks. The amount of time to develop herpes antibodies varies by person, so retesting at 4 to 6 weeks is recommended for negative results."
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I see it on occasion. I don't see it often in general because hardly anyone uses that test anymore.
While some UTIs might be confused with herpes, we don't normally see any blood with a herpes outbreak in the urethra. Sounds like a real UTI to me
Terri
While some UTIs might be confused with herpes, we don't normally see any blood with a herpes outbreak in the urethra. Sounds like a real UTI to me
Terri
The negative 2010 test was type specific and done at my GP's office here in the US; I'm confident of those results. The IgG results were listed separately but only as >.9.
I understand the cutoff value system, and that I am working with a poor test. What I am trying to gauge is just how "poor" it is. Statistically speaking, how likely is it this is a false positive? No disrespect intended, but it's not very helpful to hear you've seen negative type specific results in this situation without context. You see it rarely? All the time? On occasion? What's the overall false positive rate for this kind of test? Quantified data would be ideal but I'll settle for anecdotal, or links to articles you think might be helpful (there's so much disinformation out there!). Being well informed while dealing with something unnerving helps me to process.
One additional question: I did recently have a UTI. I've read an outbreak can be mistaken for a UTI? How would one tell the difference? It wasn't cultured but there was blood in my urine and it seemed to respond to a course of Cipro.
I appreciate your patience with me. Thank you again for your help!
I understand the cutoff value system, and that I am working with a poor test. What I am trying to gauge is just how "poor" it is. Statistically speaking, how likely is it this is a false positive? No disrespect intended, but it's not very helpful to hear you've seen negative type specific results in this situation without context. You see it rarely? All the time? On occasion? What's the overall false positive rate for this kind of test? Quantified data would be ideal but I'll settle for anecdotal, or links to articles you think might be helpful (there's so much disinformation out there!). Being well informed while dealing with something unnerving helps me to process.
One additional question: I did recently have a UTI. I've read an outbreak can be mistaken for a UTI? How would one tell the difference? It wasn't cultured but there was blood in my urine and it seemed to respond to a course of Cipro.
I appreciate your patience with me. Thank you again for your help!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Were you tested in 2010 with this same kind of test, a combined test? Or were the IgG results listed separately? As I mentioned, I have seen completely false positives on this combined test.
1.1 is the cutoff value for a positive; 0.9 to 1.1 is the equivocal range. But you are working with a poor test. If you want greatest accuracy, wait 12-16 weeks before doing a confirmatory test for greatest accuracy.
Terri
1.1 is the cutoff value for a positive; 0.9 to 1.1 is the equivocal range. But you are working with a poor test. If you want greatest accuracy, wait 12-16 weeks before doing a confirmatory test for greatest accuracy.
Terri
ALLEVIATE my fears, not elevate! Unfortunate outcome of autocorrect and bad spelling. :P
How scared should I be???
It is a little clearer; you've confirmed what I thought given my research but as I am heavily vested in invalidating this test result I've been hesitant to trust my own judgement. That being said, I feel obligated to get additional testing and I'm afraid to do it. I'm hoping you can help elevate those fears and/or prepare me by filling in some of the gaps in my knowledge.
I understand that this is likely a combined IgG test and not very helpful but theoretically, if this were an HSV-2 low positive result (my most-likely worst case scenario) it would help me to understand how the index values are set; why is >1.1 (vs. 3.5) deemed a positive result and not "equivocal", given (from what I'm learning) it's not definitive?
If it were an HSV-2 only result, what are the chances it is a false positive v. an accurate low positive?
Is two months too small of a window? Should I wait for 3 or 4 months to pass before getting another blood test? Should I go straight for the WB for definitive peace of mind?
To address your question: I do not have a history of cold sores. When I was last tested in 2010 (10 months post last sexual encounter) HSV-1 and HSV-2 were both negative.
Thank you for responding so swiftly! I'm grateful for your insights.
I understand that this is likely a combined IgG test and not very helpful but theoretically, if this were an HSV-2 low positive result (my most-likely worst case scenario) it would help me to understand how the index values are set; why is >1.1 (vs. 3.5) deemed a positive result and not "equivocal", given (from what I'm learning) it's not definitive?
If it were an HSV-2 only result, what are the chances it is a false positive v. an accurate low positive?
Is two months too small of a window? Should I wait for 3 or 4 months to pass before getting another blood test? Should I go straight for the WB for definitive peace of mind?
To address your question: I do not have a history of cold sores. When I was last tested in 2010 (10 months post last sexual encounter) HSV-1 and HSV-2 were both negative.
Thank you for responding so swiftly! I'm grateful for your insights.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It looks to me by what you posted that you had a combined HSV 1 and 2 test which, when positive, is pretty useless because it doesn't tell you if you are positive for HSV 1 or 2 or both! I have also seen these combined tests be positive and the separate IgG tests (which is the one you want) is negative completely. I think that you need type specific testing, IgG, which means that separate tests are done for HSV 1 IgG and HSV 2 IgG.
Have you ever in your life had a cold sore on your lip or in your nose? If yes, then I would expect your HSV 1 to be positive, which might make it all look positive. Is that a bit clearer?
Terri
Have you ever in your life had a cold sore on your lip or in your nose? If yes, then I would expect your HSV 1 to be positive, which might make it all look positive. Is that a bit clearer?
Terri
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
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.
