Herpes Diagnosis

[mct831]

Hi, back in February of 2010, I had a random STD test and was tested positive for herpes 2 by labcorp with an index value of 2.6.  My herpes 1 test was negative.  I was totally surprised by this result seeing that I never noticed any symptoms of herpes.  My only sexual encounter was back in January of 2009 where I had a relationship with a woman for about a month.  During that month, we had 4 or 5 episode of unprotected insertive vaginal sex.   Before our relationship got physical she said that did not have any STD.  I was a virgin before this, so I know I didn’t have anything.  If symptoms were to show, will it only show on my penile shaft and head and not anywhere else?  I had some bumps around my pubic area, but I’m assuming it is folliculitis since there is a hair coming out of the bump.  I also had two hard small bumps that were behind my scrotum, but I assume this was a cyst or pimple.  I never had any other form of sex since this relationship.  Will having chicken pox during childhood, some how give me a false positive?  I know it is very unlikely, but I recently was had an igg test for chicken pox and the index value was 2.4.  I read on some of Dr. Hook’s post that some of the reasons for false positive may be due to cross reaction to chicken pox.  I have found out that in the absence of symptoms if the index value is < 3.5, further conformation is needed either by WB or Biokit.  Would you recommend further testing?  Will this be a waste of time seeing that I’m negative for herpes 1?  I’ve been looking forever for a doctor to administer this test, but none of them have a clue.  I don’t really have a primary care doctor.  Searching for a doctor for those tests is getting frustrating.  I really want to know if I really have herpes 2.  I don’t want to be starting on meds for something I don’t have. Should I stop being in denial and just accept that I have Herpes 2?  

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I don't know of a provider in your area, sorry about that.  The IgG is NOT the definitive test because of the false positives in the low positive range.  If you would like to read more about those studies, you can look at PubMed.  Or you can ask me, who deals with this every day in my office. I've had false positives in the past month at 2.4.  I do hope you will pursue western blot testing.

Terri

[mct831]

Thank you for your response!  I live in the northern VA area.  Hopefully you can find a provider.  In your experience, have you often seen people on the higher end of the index turn out to be negative by WB?  I keep reading on the internt how the IGG test is the definitive diagnosis for herpes 2 and that there is no errors.  Kinda discouraging to read about that...sometimes I feel that the WB testing is giving me false hope.  I didn't really find out about the < 3.5 issue till I came to medhelp.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

No, you should pursue confirmatory testing.  For sure.  What state do you live in?  Perhaps I can help you find a provider who will do your western blot test.  It can be ordered through Quest labs, and the code is 34534.  So if you can just find a doctor or nurse practitioner who will simply order the test, you don't really need them to do anything else for you but that.  At Westover Heights Clinic, you can become a patient over the phone with a consultation and we can order the test if you can't work this out in your own state.  

Don't accept your infection without confirmation.  Your index value is too low, so lets pursue this until the answer is clearer with a western blot, OK?  

Terri