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IGG Positive VS Western Blot Negative
Hi,
1. Sorry this is so long!
2. It would be awesome if you could help me make sense of why an IGG test would return a positive HSVII reading - a 3.36, at that - and yet a Western Blot would return a negative. I am trying to make sense of my testing history and determine - based on this information - if I have HSV.
The context:
In 2011, a partner and I are considering unprotected sex, but she would like to see proof that I am HSV negative. I am considering another WB but my dermatologist told me WB's were for HIV and that a positive IGG meant that I had, essentially, asymptomatic HSV: no symptoms, but I could shed.
The History: In 2001 I made out a few times with a girl who had either HSVI or II or both and I'm not sure where, but a) we only kissed, and b) we never kissed when she thought she might be near an outbreak. I never showed any symptoms.
The first time I tested positive for HSVII, negative for HSVI, was in 2003 at 18. I had sex with one exclusive partner, who had had sex with one, who had had sex with one. No previous oral/vaginal contact to my genitals. I assume the test was IGG and I don't know the "score". I had had no symptoms, only a foliculitis in the groin area that scared me into getting tested.
In 2005, I again tested positive for HSVII, negative for HSVI, and the IGG's number was 3.36 or so. Still no symptoms of either HSVs.
In 2007, a new doc suggested a Western Blot, which came back negative, and pronounced me "HSV free". The previous tests were considered false positives...or maybe there is some reason I am reactive?
In 2009, I had unprotected sex for 2-3 months with one girl, we were exclusive, and she never had any outbreak, and has not approached me about anything since. So I take this as further evidence that I was not shedding anything and was indeed negative?
Your help making sense of this would be greatly appreciated!
1. Sorry this is so long!
2. It would be awesome if you could help me make sense of why an IGG test would return a positive HSVII reading - a 3.36, at that - and yet a Western Blot would return a negative. I am trying to make sense of my testing history and determine - based on this information - if I have HSV.
The context:
In 2011, a partner and I are considering unprotected sex, but she would like to see proof that I am HSV negative. I am considering another WB but my dermatologist told me WB's were for HIV and that a positive IGG meant that I had, essentially, asymptomatic HSV: no symptoms, but I could shed.
The History: In 2001 I made out a few times with a girl who had either HSVI or II or both and I'm not sure where, but a) we only kissed, and b) we never kissed when she thought she might be near an outbreak. I never showed any symptoms.
The first time I tested positive for HSVII, negative for HSVI, was in 2003 at 18. I had sex with one exclusive partner, who had had sex with one, who had had sex with one. No previous oral/vaginal contact to my genitals. I assume the test was IGG and I don't know the "score". I had had no symptoms, only a foliculitis in the groin area that scared me into getting tested.
In 2005, I again tested positive for HSVII, negative for HSVI, and the IGG's number was 3.36 or so. Still no symptoms of either HSVs.
In 2007, a new doc suggested a Western Blot, which came back negative, and pronounced me "HSV free". The previous tests were considered false positives...or maybe there is some reason I am reactive?
In 2009, I had unprotected sex for 2-3 months with one girl, we were exclusive, and she never had any outbreak, and has not approached me about anything since. So I take this as further evidence that I was not shedding anything and was indeed negative?
Your help making sense of this would be greatly appreciated!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I can see why you are struggling with this. I would recommend that you believe the western blot. This is not the first time I've seen this issue. I'm currently working with a gentleman who has never had penetrative intercourse, nor has he received oral sex and he has a 3.36 IgG and an indeterminate western blot (i.e., there were a couple of bands present in his test). I also don't think he has herpes. But in your case, you have no bands present on the western blot.
Let me ask you - has the first girl you had sex with ever been tested for HSV? Do you know that result?
Basically, I think there is something else in the IgG test that is being triggered by something you have in your blood. If your last positive IgG test was done in 2005, then you may well have been tested before the company made a very important change in the test that was causing a lot of false positive results. I think that change was made around 2005, actually.
Believe the western blot, that's my thought. Nothing you've said here fits with having herpes. And shame on your dermatologist for not knowing that western blot is a technique, not a test for any specific condition.
Terri
Let me ask you - has the first girl you had sex with ever been tested for HSV? Do you know that result?
Basically, I think there is something else in the IgG test that is being triggered by something you have in your blood. If your last positive IgG test was done in 2005, then you may well have been tested before the company made a very important change in the test that was causing a lot of false positive results. I think that change was made around 2005, actually.
Believe the western blot, that's my thought. Nothing you've said here fits with having herpes. And shame on your dermatologist for not knowing that western blot is a technique, not a test for any specific condition.
Terri
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No, the dry skin on the penis is not worrisome. When you go to talk to your derm, I would come prepared with something written in your hand about western blot =perhaps go to the UW website and print out what they have there. Things in writing are more credible than "I heard on the internet....." right?
Terri
Terri
Hi again,
Thank you very much for your reply. I guess its good to know that things may have changed and that the 'anomaly' is not super out of the ordinary.
Unfortunately, when that first girl went in to get tested, they told her it wasn't worth it. And maybe it wasn't...but could help now.
I'll start with and IgG and then move to the Western Blot if necessary. I tried to contact my derm today, so we will see how that goes.
I guess the last thing I could question is regarding asymptomatic presentations - if that's the right word. In the last few months (since its gotten cold out), I have had dry skin spots (two, head and shaft) on and off (masturbating aggravates them)...does that sound like anything concerning? I wrote it off as related to climate...but both present in the same spot.
Otherwise, thank you again for your help and for being a part of this service. Knowledgeable people make all the difference in sorting these things out!
Thank you,
Thank you very much for your reply. I guess its good to know that things may have changed and that the 'anomaly' is not super out of the ordinary.
Unfortunately, when that first girl went in to get tested, they told her it wasn't worth it. And maybe it wasn't...but could help now.
I'll start with and IgG and then move to the Western Blot if necessary. I tried to contact my derm today, so we will see how that goes.
I guess the last thing I could question is regarding asymptomatic presentations - if that's the right word. In the last few months (since its gotten cold out), I have had dry skin spots (two, head and shaft) on and off (masturbating aggravates them)...does that sound like anything concerning? I wrote it off as related to climate...but both present in the same spot.
Otherwise, thank you again for your help and for being a part of this service. Knowledgeable people make all the difference in sorting these things out!
Thank you,
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.
