could the HSV 2 IgG >5.00 be wrong

[fredmack]

March 2007 I found about my husband was having an affair, March 2008 I did blood work to see if I had any STD's because my husband was on his 2nd affair, No symptoms, just a suggestions from my dr. to get tested. SHOCKED (03/2008)  my test came back HSV 1 IgG 5.00.  I never had and still haven't (thank goodness) had ANY outbreaks, symptoms nothing.  Plus I just went through the most stressful 2 years of divorce.  Still nothing.  I made my former husband get tested in 2008 he tested HSV2 IgG <0.91.  So my doctor seems to thing I have had this a long time and my husband doesn’t.  Seriously what should I do?  I haven't had any more test done, no out breaks.  Just allot of worries.  How do I start a new relationship?  Do I have HSV 2?  Is there anyway this could be wrong?

[crossing_the_bridge]

For a hsv2 Rapid Test provider in your area, call Biokit USA at 800-926-3353.  don't be surprised if no one near you has it - i'm in nyc and there were only 3 here; 2 private docs and one university health center std clinic.

i will continue to get tested, as i always have, because, imho, that's what a responsible adult does. just to be clear, any further testing at this point would be for the prospective partner's peace of mind/reciprocity in knowing who has what, NOT to prove my status to myself.  (as far as i am concerned, the three tests i had this yr say i am negative.)  and, i will continue to use the same safe sex practices i've always used.

on telling - one experience, telling the guy i was contemplating becoming intimate with at march 2008.  that ended that, PDQ, as he could not deal with the risk.  {don't freak out about this!!  his reaction was about him and his fears; not all people are going to react that way.  just understand that any rejection is a rejection of herpes (based in the supposed stigma) and not a rejection of the person you are!) in the year since, i dated a bunch, but nothing ever got beyond a few dates, so there was no need to tell.

no, i never took any meds.  no reason to, w/ no symptoms, nor anyone to protect.

nope, not hyperthyroid.  as i understand it, the studies that were done on cross-reactivity for the ELISA tests and biokit were primarily focused on other members of the herpes virus family, like vzv, cmv, or ebv.  there just aren't enough research $$$ to test for every conceivable thing that could cross-react.

i'm glad you got some hope.  i don't know how it will pan out for you, but i thought $10 for the biokit was well worth it.

[gracefromHHP]

I encourage you to post your saga to Terri Warren, the herpes expert here on medhelp. I see your original post on the std forum you thought you were posting to an expert but it didn't go thru properly.  Your situation would best be followed up on by her here on medhelp.

Did you ever get the WB done?

grace

[fredmack]

I forgot to ask, do you by chance have a hyperthyroid?  I have my bouts with this being elevated and I'm wondering if that can cause these test to change.  I forgot to tell you it has been over a year since I did the last and only test, my doctor said there was no need to keep testing.  

[fredmack]

WOW. that's incredible.  How does one get the biokit test?  After all you've been through will you continue to get tested?  I assume you never took any medication.  If I may ask, do you tell your partners about these tests?  I would have assumed after all the stress I've have in the past 2 years it would have caused an outbreak, plus you would think if I've had it at least before I was married, over 15 years, my ex would have contracted it also.  

I'm soooo very thankful you've replied, you give me hope.  

[crossing_the_bridge]

you ask, "could an hsv2 IgG of 5.0 be wrong?"
my answer to you is, yes.  it COULD.

grace is correct, 5.0 is above the potential false positive range.  but, doctors offices and labs are not infallible - mistakes occur (labeling, mixing up specimens, whatever).  

this is my story:
always hsv1 negative. last hsv2 negative 4/07.

2/28/08:  hsv2 – 5.87 (captia; labcorp)

3/17/08:  hsv2 – positive (herpeselect; mayo clinic)

wait a year, still never a single, solitary symptom (but plenty of stressors).

3/13/09:  hsv2 - <0.91 (captia, labcorp)

3/22/09:  hsv2 - 1.14  (herpeselect, cdc)

4/6/09:    hsv2 -  negative (biokit)

do i have an explanation? two false positives last year (involving 4 separate entities) would make me the unluckiest person in the world. but, it's either that or something in my blood was cross-reacting.  

if you are interested in pursuing it further, particularly given your lack of symptoms, you could have confirmatory testing done, with either biokit or the western blot.

good luck.

[gracefromHHP]

looks like finally it's posted right!

Your hsv2 is well over the potential false positive range. You have had hsv2 since before you met your hubby and never knew it most likely since he's testing negative.

grace