Aa
Should I do a Third Test?
FIRST I WANT TO SAY I NEVER HAD A GENITAL OUTBREAK OR MOUTH SORE. I have over the last 15 years had a re-occurring rash on my index finger that fits the symptoms of "herpetic whitlow". This rash started right (within a month) of marrying my ex-husband. Earlier when the rash occurred I went to two GP's and they only said it was some kind of viral infection and never hinted or indicated that it my be HSV-2 or 1. Neither doctor suggested getting an STD test. I've spent my whole weekend on the internet trying to research HSV-2. The sun is out and I'm sitting in the house in the dark on the computer. I went to my doctor and had a full physical back in April 2011 and because I was having a vaginal discharge (was in a new monogamous relationship) I decided to have full STD testing done also. Results were positive for HSV-2 (ex-boyfriend tested negative). I never looked at the results but the doctor told me my iGm was 14. My boyfriend couldn't handle it and left me within a week of me telling him my diagnosis - Ouch! I got a second test done a few weeks later at a public health clinic and again tested positive. I've researched all weekend and found that the public health clinic used the HerpeSelect test. They gave me my results the same day. It took the doctor's office a week or so to give me my results. I guess I'm in denial... somehow I want to get tested again. BTW I've been with 4 men in the last 15 years. I was able to let 3 of the 4 know that I tested positive and all claim that would test or had already tested and said they were negative. Only one of them still has not given me an answer. Assuming he says he was negative and all of them have been honest - should I test again? Also 15 years ago my ex-husband and I both before marrying received negative results on all STD's. So someone in the last 15 years passed it to me or someone's lying OR maybe I should test with the Western Blot or the herpes biokit? Please advise
I agree! Settling for a verbal result is not good enough. I will get a hard copy ASAP! Thanks to all you guys for your support and feed back -bobrope45, MistakeGuy789 and of course gracefromhhp
Sorry, I meant that a result of 14 is much more common with non type specific tests. Of course one can get a IgG HSV2 titer of 14, sorry for that.
actually a hsv2 igg of 14.3 isn't uncommon at all. as long as you are sure it wasn't a combined result and that wasn't the igm hsv2 result.
odds are that you've had hsv2 for at least a few months. if you want to know if your hsv2 is on your finger, you'd have to have it cultured the next time you have symptoms there. they should be done within 48 hours of the appearance of symptoms.
since you've never had any genital symptoms that you are aware of, hard to tell if your hsv2 is genital or not if your finger tests + for hsv2. About the only things I can suggest is - assume your hsv2 is genital too and take precautions with future partners or you can contact Terri Warren at her westover heights clinic about being a phone patient and she can arrange for daily swabbing of your anal and genital area for a month or two to try to detect hsv2. her website has the contact info on it if you decide to go with that.
grace
odds are that you've had hsv2 for at least a few months. if you want to know if your hsv2 is on your finger, you'd have to have it cultured the next time you have symptoms there. they should be done within 48 hours of the appearance of symptoms.
since you've never had any genital symptoms that you are aware of, hard to tell if your hsv2 is genital or not if your finger tests + for hsv2. About the only things I can suggest is - assume your hsv2 is genital too and take precautions with future partners or you can contact Terri Warren at her westover heights clinic about being a phone patient and she can arrange for daily swabbing of your anal and genital area for a month or two to try to detect hsv2. her website has the contact info on it if you decide to go with that.
grace
There is no path that will tell you if this was a recent infection or not. The only way we can have a clue is if you have symptoms and have a culture which comes back positive and at the same time you are blood tested with negative results, and then be checked in 12 weeks via blood test which comes back positive matching the type of positive results from your culture. Even that is not perfect.
The levels don't mean much outside of what we believe for false positive.
The levels don't mean much outside of what we believe for false positive.
A IgG of 14 is rather uncommon. It would be best for you to get a COPY of those results with your doctor so we can help you understand what's going on. Don't settle for a "verbal results", ask for a copy.
And no, antibody levels don't have anything to do with recent infection. The titers don't mean anything - whether is 5.6, 2.3 or 14 (?), it doesn't say much about where you were infected.
And no, antibody levels don't have anything to do with recent infection. The titers don't mean anything - whether is 5.6, 2.3 or 14 (?), it doesn't say much about where you were infected.
What have you heard about high antibody levels being an indication of a recent infection?
Just hsv2.
Yes... I've read that biokit is pretty accurate.
Beginning to accept what is.
Yes... I've read that biokit is pretty accurate.
Beginning to accept what is.
was that a hsv2 igg or a combined hsv1 and hsv2 igg of 14.3?
the biokit is pretty accurate too.
the biokit is pretty accurate too.
Hi gracefromHHP,
I called both the public healthcllinic today and the GP that I first get tested with. The clinic printed out my results but could only provide me with a positive for a type specific for HSV-2 test. The clinic BTW used the BioKit rapid response (May 12, 2011). My GP also used a type specific test but I can't remember the name.
The doctor said my IgG was 14.3. *Sigh* guess with an IgG of 14.3 I just have to accept what is. No genital outbreaks, but maybe HSV-2 could be the source of the rash that comes on my index finger. So confusing. With a lgG of 14.3 - no need to test again.
I called both the public healthcllinic today and the GP that I first get tested with. The clinic printed out my results but could only provide me with a positive for a type specific for HSV-2 test. The clinic BTW used the BioKit rapid response (May 12, 2011). My GP also used a type specific test but I can't remember the name.
The doctor said my IgG was 14.3. *Sigh* guess with an IgG of 14.3 I just have to accept what is. No genital outbreaks, but maybe HSV-2 could be the source of the rash that comes on my index finger. So confusing. With a lgG of 14.3 - no need to test again.
Thanks for responding Grace. Yes ex-boyfriend tested around the same time but his results (so he claims) came back negative. I was able to contact 3 past partners that I've been with in the last 15 years. Two claim they were negative after going to get tested. One says he will get tested. Recent ex-boyfriend cheated on me then got with old girlfriend and then cheater on her with me. Hard to believe he would tell the truth about testing negative. He did in fact say if he ever tested positive he wouldn't tell anyone. Not a nice thing to say.
I will contact my health care provider tomorrow to see if I can get a copy of my blood test results. She stated that my igm count was very high (i think 14). Thanks again. I will post the results soon.
I will contact my health care provider tomorrow to see if I can get a copy of my blood test results. She stated that my igm count was very high (i think 14). Thanks again. I will post the results soon.
the igm test for herpes is a greatly flawed test. it shouldn't be used for diagnosing herpes in adults. Current cdc recommendations are not to use it on adults at all.
I will gladly take a look at your last blood test results if you call and get them to post here - e.g. hsv1 igg 4.9 and hsv2 igg 2.9 or whatever they are. Once I see those, i can better help you figure out if you need further testing or not.
has your current partner been tested to know their status?
grace
I will gladly take a look at your last blood test results if you call and get them to post here - e.g. hsv1 igg 4.9 and hsv2 igg 2.9 or whatever they are. Once I see those, i can better help you figure out if you need further testing or not.
has your current partner been tested to know their status?
grace
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
