HSV-2 Questions

[need_MD]

Hello.
I recently went to my gyno for an annual pap and STD screening after having an unprotected sexual encounter in Dec. 2008.
It was a single encounter in which the partner did not exhibit symptoms of having HSV-2 and a condom was put on after having unprotected sex for about 10 minutes.

My HerpeSelect test showed:
HSV-1 IgG 0.10 and my HSV-2 IgG 1.64
My vaginal culture also indicated a light growth of beta hemolytic streptococcus group b.

I am extremely worried about my HSV-2 results.
Are the results pretty definitive that I have HSV-2??
Would you recommend even asking for a confirmatory test?

[gracefromHHP]

Each herpes test looks at a different part of the igg or uses a different way of detecting herpes. Studies have found that using 2 different tests increases your odds of getting an accurate testing answer.  Your provider would never diagnose you as having hiv or syphilis or cancer based on 1 test, same goes with herpes blood testing.

Most folks who have genital herpes are having symptoms, it' s just that they don't recognize them as such since most times they are mild symptoms and not "classic" blisters that are very painful and reoccur frequently like they suspect herpes would be.

grace

[need_MD]

thanks for the reply!

1.) how many people (many or few) have you witnessed through this forum or in your profession who have had a low positive and tested negative with the WB?

2.) if the biokit is looking for the antibodies to hsv2, then wouldn't it in theory give me similar results to the igg blood test i initially took?

3.) i've read that many infected people never have symptoms in their lives...does this mean that it's definitely possible for someone to live a lifetime without an outbreak? or do people with hsv2 always experience an outbreak at least once in their lives?

i've never experienced an outbreak and still dealing with the possibility that i may have hsv 2...
thanks in advance for answering my silly questions.

[gracefromHHP]

Your hsv2 igg is a low positive and needs further testing to confirm your status. We recommend either the herpes biokit hsv2 igg blood test or the herpes WB.  If your provider uses quest labs the herpes WB is test # 34534.

grace