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Tested positive for HSV2, what does the number mean?
I had some issues recently after having unprotected sex that sent me to my doctor and to get STD tested. My doctor said I did not visually appear to have an STD, although I did have a bacterial intection which she treated me for. She also gave me an order for STD testing. I received my lab results and I tested positive for HSV2. After some serious freaking out and mad searching on the internet, I returned to my doctor to discuss 'what now' and to find out why the infection was not clearing. My symptoms were a clear discharge, burning/tingling, several tiny white bumps and what I thought was a possible yeast and bladder infection at the same time. My doctor and I had thought it may be HPV before I was tested, because of the tiny white bumps. She was as shocked with the results as I was. We talked about how I'd been STD specific tested last year and had not been sexually active for several months before and after being tested. It was all negative. She said it would seem that it would have been transmitted to me recently then. I had the (Elisa) testing and I asked her what the likelihood was that I could retest and be negative. She said it was not likely because the testing is so specific now. She also mentioned that my number was very low.
HSV 2 Glycoprotein G = 1.23
Does this number mean anything? Can you help me understand this number better? I've looked everywhere and the sites I found any information on were vague. Some suggest it could mean a recent transmission due to the low number. Others suggest it does not mean anything. My doctor was great and really talked with me about my options and gave me a lot of information, other than this, that are helping me adjust to this knowledge. She prescribed Valtrex which I am taking daily now.
Thank you!
HSV 2 Glycoprotein G = 1.23
Does this number mean anything? Can you help me understand this number better? I've looked everywhere and the sites I found any information on were vague. Some suggest it could mean a recent transmission due to the low number. Others suggest it does not mean anything. My doctor was great and really talked with me about my options and gave me a lot of information, other than this, that are helping me adjust to this knowledge. She prescribed Valtrex which I am taking daily now.
Thank you!
Quite interesting. If I may ask how long is several months before your STD test last year? Did it include herpes igg test? It is not typically done by default. But it sounds like your provider did do a check.
Since you have the results it is best someone like Grace looks at it and gives you an idea. I am not smart enough for that. But the questions will help her out too.
Since you have the results it is best someone like Grace looks at it and gives you an idea. I am not smart enough for that. But the questions will help her out too.
Thank you for your reply.
I have a correction in my information also. My doctor (Gyn) had told me I had no visible signs of herpes during my initial visit with her; not STD's overall since she and I both thought I may have HPV due to the little white bumps. During my second visit with her, she said she was as surprised as I was at my being positive for HSV2 because I did not have the typical signs of an outbreak such as blisters, red sores, or broken skin. I had the more subtle signs which are those I mentioned previously and swollen glands. I know my body and I knew something wasn't right.
I had tested through my primary care doctor in Aug 2009. I had not been sexually active since the end of April and not again until the beginning of Dec. I recall my doctor asking me if I'd like to be STD tested since we were doing some other yearly tests as well. She'd asked me if I wanted to include testing for all STD's and I'd told her, "Everything, since we're testing". It was all negative. I don't know exactly what test was done at that time, although I do know that the labs were sent out. I returned to see her three weeks later and that's when we went over the results.
I had been a regular blood donor in addition to being tested once a year during annual doctor visits. Nothing had ever come back positive until last week. I began having symptoms about 4 weeks ago.
My doctor has prescribed Valtrex and I've already started taking it daily.
The only thing I can't wrap my head around yet is the number being so low and what it means. I'm dealing with it, but this will help me settle down a bit more in the adjusting to it.
Thanks for your help.
I have a correction in my information also. My doctor (Gyn) had told me I had no visible signs of herpes during my initial visit with her; not STD's overall since she and I both thought I may have HPV due to the little white bumps. During my second visit with her, she said she was as surprised as I was at my being positive for HSV2 because I did not have the typical signs of an outbreak such as blisters, red sores, or broken skin. I had the more subtle signs which are those I mentioned previously and swollen glands. I know my body and I knew something wasn't right.
I had tested through my primary care doctor in Aug 2009. I had not been sexually active since the end of April and not again until the beginning of Dec. I recall my doctor asking me if I'd like to be STD tested since we were doing some other yearly tests as well. She'd asked me if I wanted to include testing for all STD's and I'd told her, "Everything, since we're testing". It was all negative. I don't know exactly what test was done at that time, although I do know that the labs were sent out. I returned to see her three weeks later and that's when we went over the results.
I had been a regular blood donor in addition to being tested once a year during annual doctor visits. Nothing had ever come back positive until last week. I began having symptoms about 4 weeks ago.
My doctor has prescribed Valtrex and I've already started taking it daily.
The only thing I can't wrap my head around yet is the number being so low and what it means. I'm dealing with it, but this will help me settle down a bit more in the adjusting to it.
Thanks for your help.
Ok, so you were sexually active in Dec 2009 after your FIRST testing in Aug 2009? The Aug 2009 testing was negative and you were tested a few weeks ago I am assuming and it is positive? Correct?
Yes, I received my lab results last week, HSV 2 Glycoprotein G = 1.23, (ELISA). I'd been tested at least yearly for several years and it was always negative.
I was not sexually active for a period of about 8 months, in which I was tested almost right in the middle of that time span. I believe I was tested for everything and it all came back negative. I remember going over those results with my doctor.
I just checked the westoverheights site and it states if your body is producing antibodies then it probably isn't a recent transmission. I was negative in Aug 2009. Sexually active in Dec 2009. Began having symptoms in Jan 2010. Went to my doctor Feb 2010. HSV2 positive Feb 2010.
Sounds like my obituary, huh? Kidding...
Thanks for your input.
I was not sexually active for a period of about 8 months, in which I was tested almost right in the middle of that time span. I believe I was tested for everything and it all came back negative. I remember going over those results with my doctor.
I just checked the westoverheights site and it states if your body is producing antibodies then it probably isn't a recent transmission. I was negative in Aug 2009. Sexually active in Dec 2009. Began having symptoms in Jan 2010. Went to my doctor Feb 2010. HSV2 positive Feb 2010.
Sounds like my obituary, huh? Kidding...
Thanks for your input.
Well I can't speak for the number. This is something someone with training would be better at then I.
I can say that you should talk to your doc that did the testing in Aug 2009 to have them give you a copy of the results and tell you what you were tested for and what test if any was given for your Herpes. Some docotors only test using igm which we know is a useless test.
Typically testing is accurate at 3-4 months. But testing done between 2-4 weeks will show I believe its 50% of new infections and by 6 weeks will show at least 70% of all infections. Recent is a vague word. Yes, if you have antibodies present its been a little while. However, I believe what you maybe told that you might want to get a Western Blot to confirm. Please don't take my word and allow someone with the training in the test (IE: Grace) to tell you that. Shes trained I am not.
I can say that you should talk to your doc that did the testing in Aug 2009 to have them give you a copy of the results and tell you what you were tested for and what test if any was given for your Herpes. Some docotors only test using igm which we know is a useless test.
Typically testing is accurate at 3-4 months. But testing done between 2-4 weeks will show I believe its 50% of new infections and by 6 weeks will show at least 70% of all infections. Recent is a vague word. Yes, if you have antibodies present its been a little while. However, I believe what you maybe told that you might want to get a Western Blot to confirm. Please don't take my word and allow someone with the training in the test (IE: Grace) to tell you that. Shes trained I am not.
Well, it is possible too that it might be a false positive, since your doctor does not think what was going on to be herpes. I was sexually active as well in dec 09 but showed symptoms, in my mouth at least, the same month around christmas and again at the end of January and begining of February. I was tested a week ago and my results came back negative and yet I still have something going on inside my mouth so everyone is different with getting their results. Might have to wait a few more weeks to get tested again, which is my plan too to make sure it is not herpes lol.
I don't mean to downplay your feelings by my humor, but have you eaten a lot of chips or tortilla chips in the recent past? I ask that because I don't usually eat either one much anymore, but I did recently and it gave me what I thought might be mouth sores. With my being on the alert for other signs, it kind of freaked me out a little bit and then I placed what the cause was. Chips and salsa!!
I plan to get tested again and may ask for the Western Blot test this time, just to be sure.
Hang in there, and don't be embarrassed to talk to your doctor about it. Mine was awesome about going over everything and wanted to make sure she drove home the point that it's nothing to be ashamed of.
I plan to get tested again and may ask for the Western Blot test this time, just to be sure.
Hang in there, and don't be embarrassed to talk to your doctor about it. Mine was awesome about going over everything and wanted to make sure she drove home the point that it's nothing to be ashamed of.
Being new to this site, I did not see that you'd responded as well.
I have made the decision to ask my doctor to order testing for the, Western Blot.
I need to know 'definitely' not just most probably. Especially with having such a low positive. Thank you for the information, I had not seen those stats anywhere I looked yet. That's helpful.
Thank you!
I have made the decision to ask my doctor to order testing for the, Western Blot.
I need to know 'definitely' not just most probably. Especially with having such a low positive. Thank you for the information, I had not seen those stats anywhere I looked yet. That's helpful.
Thank you!
Common thing I would tell someone new is you can go to the expert forums and actually use the search feature (top right side of the page allows you to search just that community. You can find a lot of posts that maybe something you yourself have experinced with your search terms. I know that if I have questions that is the place I start first.
Thank you, I will. Might take me a little bit to find my way around this site to take advantange of all the great information.
your hsv2 igg is a low positive and needs further confirmation. no need to start valtrex at this point until you've confirmed it. A herpes WB would be the best test and if your provider uses quest labs, it's test #34534.
Have you had any repeat exams with testing for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally again too? If you had bv initially, it can take awhile to clear up and it too can cause little white bumps until the infection clears. Definitely continue to follow up on this.
grace
Have you had any repeat exams with testing for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally again too? If you had bv initially, it can take awhile to clear up and it too can cause little white bumps until the infection clears. Definitely continue to follow up on this.
grace
Thank you, Grace.
I have asked my doctor to order the WB testing for me and I just called her office again with the specific lab and # you've provided.
My doctor had told me the antibiotics she prescribed initially may take care of the little white bumps which are lessening in number. I was still having discharge when she saw me the second time (10 days later). She'd said it was a weird yeast infection and prescribed Diflucan, which I've taken and the symtoms are clearing, gradually. Her office just called me yesterday to confirm that I did test for a yeast infection and so we were on the right track in treating me.
I will stop taking the Valtrex for the time being, wait on getting retested and the confirmation from the WB.
I appreciate your time and the information very much.
I have asked my doctor to order the WB testing for me and I just called her office again with the specific lab and # you've provided.
My doctor had told me the antibiotics she prescribed initially may take care of the little white bumps which are lessening in number. I was still having discharge when she saw me the second time (10 days later). She'd said it was a weird yeast infection and prescribed Diflucan, which I've taken and the symtoms are clearing, gradually. Her office just called me yesterday to confirm that I did test for a yeast infection and so we were on the right track in treating me.
I will stop taking the Valtrex for the time being, wait on getting retested and the confirmation from the WB.
I appreciate your time and the information very much.
Sometimes you get into a hard to break yeast/bacterial infection cycle. Don't hesitate to return to be seen again if in a few weeks things reoccur.
grace
grace
I know what you mean.
My doctor had told me the same thing about the bad cycle between the two. She asked me not to hesitate to come back if things don't go away or they return. I won't.
I'd like to think and say I take care of my body, however... I can't quite say that when I'm not using protection and only taking someone's word that they're clean. Somehow, we seem to throw caution to the wind there.
Thank you Grace.
My doctor had told me the same thing about the bad cycle between the two. She asked me not to hesitate to come back if things don't go away or they return. I won't.
I'd like to think and say I take care of my body, however... I can't quite say that when I'm not using protection and only taking someone's word that they're clean. Somehow, we seem to throw caution to the wind there.
Thank you Grace.
most people never get tested for std's, of those who do, typically they are only getting tested for 2 of 3 of them when they ask for them. Just taking someone's word that they get tested regularly is always a gamble to be honest.
grace
grace
Hi Grace,
I talked with my doctor's office today and was told she will not order the WB as it's still experimental at this time. She states the only FDA approved testing is the ELISA and it's nearly 100% accurate; so if I tested positive with that, I'm positive. I still want to have the WB, but apparently I won't be getting an order for the testing through my doctor. Is there a way for me to have this done on my own, inexpensive?
I talked with my doctor's office today and was told she will not order the WB as it's still experimental at this time. She states the only FDA approved testing is the ELISA and it's nearly 100% accurate; so if I tested positive with that, I'm positive. I still want to have the WB, but apparently I won't be getting an order for the testing through my doctor. Is there a way for me to have this done on my own, inexpensive?
no the WB is not FDA approved. it is considered the gold standard in herpes testing and most research studies use the WB as their method of confirming herpes even with other blood tests.
At this point the best you can do is see a different provider who will order the WB for you. it's not a blood test you can order up on your own. Encourage your provider to contact the fine folks at focus diagnostics to get up to date info on the low positives and why additional confirmatory testing is needed. they will gladly talk to your provider and give her an update/teaching.
grace
At this point the best you can do is see a different provider who will order the WB for you. it's not a blood test you can order up on your own. Encourage your provider to contact the fine folks at focus diagnostics to get up to date info on the low positives and why additional confirmatory testing is needed. they will gladly talk to your provider and give her an update/teaching.
grace
Thank you, Grace.
I will check with my primary care doctor and see if she will order the WB. I now know my GYN will not order it since her staff told me she attended a recent seminar on STD's with the 'gold' standard of testing being the ELISA; and I should 'not' go with any other at this time. Nothing is 100% and with such a low positive, now that I've had time to think about it, she should have recommended I get retested instead of saying, if you're positive on that test, you're positive.
Is the WB typically covered by insurance if it's still considered experiemental at this time?
I need to be retested for my own peace of mind and if I am still positive at that time, then... I will accept and deal with it. When I have even a glimmer of hope that I could actually be negative, I'd rather make the effort and explore all my options.
Thank you for your encouragement.
I will check with my primary care doctor and see if she will order the WB. I now know my GYN will not order it since her staff told me she attended a recent seminar on STD's with the 'gold' standard of testing being the ELISA; and I should 'not' go with any other at this time. Nothing is 100% and with such a low positive, now that I've had time to think about it, she should have recommended I get retested instead of saying, if you're positive on that test, you're positive.
Is the WB typically covered by insurance if it's still considered experiemental at this time?
I need to be retested for my own peace of mind and if I am still positive at that time, then... I will accept and deal with it. When I have even a glimmer of hope that I could actually be negative, I'd rather make the effort and explore all my options.
Thank you for your encouragement.
Most insurances will cover the WB.
definitely it's well worth additional testing for you. only about 20% of folks with results in that range are really positive.
I was at a conference 2 years ago where the herpes info the "expert" gave was so blatantly wrong I think I turned blue at one point from trying to keep my mouth shut! Wrote a detailed paper as to what info was wrong and presented it to the "expert" the next morning. He was shocked that I told him everything I did and promised to look at my references and change his talk if need be. Saddest part is, he's the head of his department at a major teaching hospital so you know for years he's been teaching the wrong info to doctors in training too...sigh. At least he seemed open to my suggestions and hopefully he's since updated his info.
The low positive issues unfortunately aren't as well known as they need to be. The www.herpeselect.com website has info for providers and they typically have good folks to refer them to about the blood tests and its drawbacks.
grace
definitely it's well worth additional testing for you. only about 20% of folks with results in that range are really positive.
I was at a conference 2 years ago where the herpes info the "expert" gave was so blatantly wrong I think I turned blue at one point from trying to keep my mouth shut! Wrote a detailed paper as to what info was wrong and presented it to the "expert" the next morning. He was shocked that I told him everything I did and promised to look at my references and change his talk if need be. Saddest part is, he's the head of his department at a major teaching hospital so you know for years he's been teaching the wrong info to doctors in training too...sigh. At least he seemed open to my suggestions and hopefully he's since updated his info.
The low positive issues unfortunately aren't as well known as they need to be. The www.herpeselect.com website has info for providers and they typically have good folks to refer them to about the blood tests and its drawbacks.
grace
I'm in absolute agreement with you. I've been in healthcare for 15 years and know everything is not as it seems or 100%.
Unfortunately, I may change doctor offices following this. When I became assertive in asking for further testing the office staff became short, rude and treated me like I was someone or a situation to be 'handled'. I'm very angry and not sure I can return when the staff is so insensitive to patients recently diagnosed with a lifetime virus and only requesting further testing.
They acted like I was insulting in requesting a retest with the WB because my doctor specifically said it was not FDA approved and would not order it.
Unfortunately, I may change doctor offices following this. When I became assertive in asking for further testing the office staff became short, rude and treated me like I was someone or a situation to be 'handled'. I'm very angry and not sure I can return when the staff is so insensitive to patients recently diagnosed with a lifetime virus and only requesting further testing.
They acted like I was insulting in requesting a retest with the WB because my doctor specifically said it was not FDA approved and would not order it.
Sounds like a bad Dr office to me. I had a few doctors like that before. I walked in for an appointment and told the doctor how their office staff treated me and told the doctor he was fired and I would take my business elsewhere.
Doctors are dime a donzen in some places so its easy to find another one. Wish I knew a good one in CA. I know them in Houston, Tx and have one I always recommend for people out there. The doctor there when I was in the hospital told the hospitial he didn't want a specialist on my case anymore after he got rude and told me I was an idiot. My PCP was an attending at the hospitial too and had privledges there. His face after I told him was so red and when that expert came in he went off on how he was to NEVER handle his paitents like that and he didn't want to see him with any of his practices patients. I am glad it was my PCP that said it and not my PCP's dad who is also a doctor.
Doctors are dime a donzen in some places so its easy to find another one. Wish I knew a good one in CA. I know them in Houston, Tx and have one I always recommend for people out there. The doctor there when I was in the hospital told the hospitial he didn't want a specialist on my case anymore after he got rude and told me I was an idiot. My PCP was an attending at the hospitial too and had privledges there. His face after I told him was so red and when that expert came in he went off on how he was to NEVER handle his paitents like that and he didn't want to see him with any of his practices patients. I am glad it was my PCP that said it and not my PCP's dad who is also a doctor.
You know... it really is an impatient world we live in and some people think they have all the right answers. I include myself in the 'lack of patience' sometimes too. For the most part, I try to listen to what is being said and figure out what the main concern is. When I figure it out, I ask the patient if I'm understanding their questions or concern correctly and address it from there. I found this is the most productive approach to making everyone happy and feel cared for.
That's why I was so angry with the way I was treated. They obviously didn't care what my concern was, only that I was taking up more time than I was allotted and how dare I question the doctor. It's called a second opinion for a reason.
Glad you got your business squared away. : }
http://www.ashastdwebstore.org/herpes-testing-toolkit.html is a terrific booklet for under $3 that has all the info on herpes blood testing a clinic needs. Might be worth purchasing it and handing it to the doctor , esp. if it turns out you test negative. Perhaps it's my pms talking....lol.
grace
grace
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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.
