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odds of false positive w/ viral culture
I went to Planned Parenthood around to weeks ago with, what I thought was an ingrown hair and a UTI. The doc performed a viral culture and a pap and I was given Bactrim for the UTI. Six days later, I learned that I had herpes.
I tried to ask the nurse my viral load and typology. She said that from the culture performed, neither the type nor the viral load could be determined, but that I should assume that the culture was accurate. Later, I called back to get the name of the test and the lab that manufactured the test, but wasn't able to find out. My question is: what is the likelihood of having a false positive with a viral culture?
I've had 2 partners in 2 years--that's about as long as I've been sexually active. My ex denies that he has it and said he even called his local hospital (where he donates blood)to confirm that he's HSV-negative and my current BF just went to get a follow-up IgG blood assay with me. Hopefully, we get the results back soon. If I've given him herpes, I don't think I'll be able to forgive myself.
I tried to ask the nurse my viral load and typology. She said that from the culture performed, neither the type nor the viral load could be determined, but that I should assume that the culture was accurate. Later, I called back to get the name of the test and the lab that manufactured the test, but wasn't able to find out. My question is: what is the likelihood of having a false positive with a viral culture?
I've had 2 partners in 2 years--that's about as long as I've been sexually active. My ex denies that he has it and said he even called his local hospital (where he donates blood)to confirm that he's HSV-negative and my current BF just went to get a follow-up IgG blood assay with me. Hopefully, we get the results back soon. If I've given him herpes, I don't think I'll be able to forgive myself.
I really don't think you know enough about herpes testing to be commenting like this for starters. also this post is 4 years old. Please refrain from commenting on posts that are more than a few weeks old since typically the posters aren't even returning to the forum after that point to see what you wrote.
thank you!
grace
thank you!
grace
My doc just called and said I have HSV-1. My bf tested negative for both types 1 and 2. I forgot to ask the viral load.
I finished nursing school and I still got herpes ;) I still didn't know jacksheeet about it either until 14 years later when I put my mind to learning more about it when I figured out how little I knew.
I'm going to assume that since you were at planned parenthood you had a regular viral lesion culture done. It doesn't matter what brand of test it was and it doesn't measure viral load either. It literally tries to grow out virus in the petri dish/test tube and that's all. It has a high false negative rate because it's very hard to do that. However when it's positive then it's positive because it means that they were able to grow out the virus in the lab. It's unfortunate that they aren't automatically typing cultures at that PP because type really is important.
Also the bf who called the hospital where he gives blood to find out his herpes status - he's full of sheeeet. They don't test for herpes when you donate blood!! He really doesn' t matter though - what matters if your status and your current partner's status. When you get your igg test results back you can post them here in a new post for help with them if you want it.
It's actually very common to get another recurrence within 2 months of the first one with herpes. It doesn't mean you are going to be getting ob's all the time or anything. Once you know what you have and what your bf has then you can start to better decide if suppressive therapy or episodic therapy is the best choice for you. If you haven't already - be sure to watch the patient counseling video and read the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com. Both are very informative for both you and your bf.
Hang in there - it's a lot to handle now but it will get better!
grace
I'm going to assume that since you were at planned parenthood you had a regular viral lesion culture done. It doesn't matter what brand of test it was and it doesn't measure viral load either. It literally tries to grow out virus in the petri dish/test tube and that's all. It has a high false negative rate because it's very hard to do that. However when it's positive then it's positive because it means that they were able to grow out the virus in the lab. It's unfortunate that they aren't automatically typing cultures at that PP because type really is important.
Also the bf who called the hospital where he gives blood to find out his herpes status - he's full of sheeeet. They don't test for herpes when you donate blood!! He really doesn' t matter though - what matters if your status and your current partner's status. When you get your igg test results back you can post them here in a new post for help with them if you want it.
It's actually very common to get another recurrence within 2 months of the first one with herpes. It doesn't mean you are going to be getting ob's all the time or anything. Once you know what you have and what your bf has then you can start to better decide if suppressive therapy or episodic therapy is the best choice for you. If you haven't already - be sure to watch the patient counseling video and read the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com. Both are very informative for both you and your bf.
Hang in there - it's a lot to handle now but it will get better!
grace
I don't know what type I have yet. The nurses at Planned Parenthood (where I got cultured) said that LabCorp only gives them a positive or negative result for each case. So me and my bf are waiting for the results of the blood test--another test I don't really have much information about. It's like these docs, take our condition with a grain of salt while we're crying ourselves to sleep!
Anyway, having OBs is a *****. I just got off of my first round of acyclovir, got pre-menstrual, and then had another OB. Fortunately I have about six refills of Valtrex, so I just filled one. Maybe it'll help you if you take medication regularly, instead of only when you're in OB-mode? I don't know, I'm in the dark about this ****, but that's what I would think. I shoulda finished nursing school.
Ladies, stay sane--I know I'll be trying to ; ) and thanks again for your eyes and hearts.
Anyway, having OBs is a *****. I just got off of my first round of acyclovir, got pre-menstrual, and then had another OB. Fortunately I have about six refills of Valtrex, so I just filled one. Maybe it'll help you if you take medication regularly, instead of only when you're in OB-mode? I don't know, I'm in the dark about this ****, but that's what I would think. I shoulda finished nursing school.
Ladies, stay sane--I know I'll be trying to ; ) and thanks again for your eyes and hearts.
Hey estrellab Im sorry it took me so long to respond! i tried posting to your response back in 05/18 to my post from 05/04 under (Just diagnosed with genital HSV 1.. help!!) but apparently i took too long, and im sooo sorry. and i agree with you on keeping in touch.. i've had a rough month with at least 3 obs!!!! i feel just the way you described itchy, dry and i also feel a burning sensation that comes and goes.. ive tried the 5 day cycles.. of acyclovir but im beggining to think that i should try the supressive therapy.. the thing is im not sure it be as good as valtrex and as of now i cant afford valtrex so i am doing the best i can... im so confused because ever since last august ive gotten at least one ob a month ( and i was told hsv 1 recurrences are not common) so at this point im somewhat lost :(
to unscrupulous1.............. i know just how you feel.. i had the same situation happen to me. i went to the doctor numerous times and they all said folliculitis! this went on for about seven months until i decided to go in and get it cultured.. IM not sure what test they gave me.. or what the exact results were. but they did tell me i tested positive for HSV 1.. its only been about one month that i got diagnosed.. and im terrified! im sad mad angry and everything else i can think of.. i try and move on but i keep getting obs so at this point im not sure what to tell you except im here for you and i know what youre going through.. also, ive asked myself the same question about the false positives (thinking there is still some posibility) but basically.. i was told that the only false positives are through blood but once they culture the sore.. if its there, its there :( what did you test positive for?? hsv 1 or 2...
to unscrupulous1.............. i know just how you feel.. i had the same situation happen to me. i went to the doctor numerous times and they all said folliculitis! this went on for about seven months until i decided to go in and get it cultured.. IM not sure what test they gave me.. or what the exact results were. but they did tell me i tested positive for HSV 1.. its only been about one month that i got diagnosed.. and im terrified! im sad mad angry and everything else i can think of.. i try and move on but i keep getting obs so at this point im not sure what to tell you except im here for you and i know what youre going through.. also, ive asked myself the same question about the false positives (thinking there is still some posibility) but basically.. i was told that the only false positives are through blood but once they culture the sore.. if its there, its there :( what did you test positive for?? hsv 1 or 2...
Ya and lets all hang in there together. Here I end up with my worst nightmere. It is just so weird. Anyway, we are in this together. Take care, EB
I just read your other post too. I figure as long as I have a place to vent and to process this with other people, I'll be ok. If you folks can deal, then so can I. Anyway, things could be much worse. Thanks for hearing me out:)
I don't know. I learned I have hsv 2 recently by two pos tests. Husband of 14 yrs doesn't have it. I probably have had it forever and ever. It is such a weird sneaky virus. I just don't know what to say. Keep bugging your doc/practitioner til you get the answers you need is all I can say. Goodluck, EB
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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.
