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Confused about HerpeSelect results and diagnosis.
During a recent doctor's visit I was tested for the herpes virus, The doctor used the HerpeSelect 2 Elisa IgG test. My results came back as 9.0 with a note stating that the HSV-2 Inhibition Test Results where pending. I have never had any symptoms.
My questions are:
My results seem really high. I have yet to find someone online with such a high result. Could this be a false positive?
What does the "HSV-2 Inhibition Test Results pending".mean?
Does this mean that I have HSV1 or HSV2?
Should I request a Western blot test?
My questions are:
My results seem really high. I have yet to find someone online with such a high result. Could this be a false positive?
What does the "HSV-2 Inhibition Test Results pending".mean?
Does this mean that I have HSV1 or HSV2?
Should I request a Western blot test?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The strength of your various test results is meaningless. The IgG results are positive for HSV-2. That is all that matters. Your urologist apparently does not understand HSV testing and the meaning of the test results, or treatment doses; it is rarely necessary to take valtrex more often than twice a day or in a total dose above 1.0 g daily. Regardless of the dose, taking valtrex will not raise or lower the test result numbers. There is no reason for you to ever be tested for HSV-2 again; you are infected and will remain so your entire life. Do not waste your money on additional testing. Try to find a doctor who understands the disease better than your urologist apparently does.
That's all for this thread. I won't have any further comments.
That's all for this thread. I won't have any further comments.
Ah!! Just did some reading and found this post with an explanation from you.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Confusiion-over-other-IgM-Herpes-posts/show/248394%C2%A0
It explains why my igm is negative and my igg is positive..
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Confusiion-over-other-IgM-Herpes-posts/show/248394%C2%A0
It explains why my igm is negative and my igg is positive..
Just an update and one more question...
Well it has been three weeks.. I went to an urologist because of a burning sensation when I urinate and asked him if it was an HSV outbreak. I was tested for urine infection and re tested for HSV. He did a visual inspection and informed me that he did not think that was an outbreak because everything looked normal.
The results came in an the UTI test was negative. He did three hsv tests:
IGG non specific wich came back with a 24
IGG HSV2 specific which came back as 4.5 (My previous test was 9)
IGM which came back non reactive
I was laughing when I saw the results because it reminded me of what you said about the IGM test not being worth anything. It is strange to get a negative igm but a positive igg??? The doctor was concerned about my high viral count on the combined test. I still have not had an outbreak except for the burning that I had while urinating for about a week and I think that the tip of my penis sometimes get irritated after peeing but is it just me being a hypochondriac?. I have been taking valtrex for two weeks now.. I started twice a day but the urologist told me to take it 4 times a day for three weeks and then get re-tested to make sure that the numbers went down because they were too high.
Well that is my update!! Still trying to get used to this.. Have felt better but it comes and goes..
Well it has been three weeks.. I went to an urologist because of a burning sensation when I urinate and asked him if it was an HSV outbreak. I was tested for urine infection and re tested for HSV. He did a visual inspection and informed me that he did not think that was an outbreak because everything looked normal.
The results came in an the UTI test was negative. He did three hsv tests:
IGG non specific wich came back with a 24
IGG HSV2 specific which came back as 4.5 (My previous test was 9)
IGM which came back non reactive
I was laughing when I saw the results because it reminded me of what you said about the IGM test not being worth anything. It is strange to get a negative igm but a positive igg??? The doctor was concerned about my high viral count on the combined test. I still have not had an outbreak except for the burning that I had while urinating for about a week and I think that the tip of my penis sometimes get irritated after peeing but is it just me being a hypochondriac?. I have been taking valtrex for two weeks now.. I started twice a day but the urologist told me to take it 4 times a day for three weeks and then get re-tested to make sure that the numbers went down because they were too high.
Well that is my update!! Still trying to get used to this.. Have felt better but it comes and goes..
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Most herpes experts would use valacyclovir (trade name Valtrex). Acyclovir (Zovirax) or famciclovir (Famvir) probably work but have been less well studied.
Is there a name for the suppressive antiviral therapy? So that when I speak to them I can be precise.
Thank you Doctor.. This was very helpful
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
By "ask your provider" I meant clarification of the numerical result, if you weren't sure; and why an inhibition test was done. That additional result is not likely to change anything.
Indeed an ELISA ratio value of 9 is nothing special. It seems high because because most labs simply report all results at 5 or above as "greater than 5.0". The strenght of the test says nothing at all about the severity of an HSV-2 infection (e.g., no. of outbreaks versus asymptomatic herpes) or how long the infection has been present.
Barring a big surprise on the inhibition test, you have genital herpes due to HSV-2 and will be obligated to tell your current and future sex partners about it. Be on the lookout for herpes outbreak symptoms; more than half of all people in your situation come to recognize mild outbreaks that they previously didn't, or previously didn't remember. Find a herpes-knowledgeable provider to advise you about the possible use of suppressive antiviral therapy to reduce asymptomatic shedding and the potential for transmission to sex partners.
Indeed an ELISA ratio value of 9 is nothing special. It seems high because because most labs simply report all results at 5 or above as "greater than 5.0". The strenght of the test says nothing at all about the severity of an HSV-2 infection (e.g., no. of outbreaks versus asymptomatic herpes) or how long the infection has been present.
Barring a big surprise on the inhibition test, you have genital herpes due to HSV-2 and will be obligated to tell your current and future sex partners about it. Be on the lookout for herpes outbreak symptoms; more than half of all people in your situation come to recognize mild outbreaks that they previously didn't, or previously didn't remember. Find a herpes-knowledgeable provider to advise you about the possible use of suppressive antiviral therapy to reduce asymptomatic shedding and the potential for transmission to sex partners.
I also would like to know if it is uncommon to have such a high score on the test and not experience any symptoms or outbrakes.
Hi
yes I can confirm that it is 9.0 and not .9. Not sure I understand why you mean by ask these questions of the provider. Is the test for Hsv2?
Thank you
yes I can confirm that it is 9.0 and not .9. Not sure I understand why you mean by ask these questions of the provider. Is the test for Hsv2?
Thank you
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum.
If you are accurately reporting the test result -- in particular, an HSV-2 ELISA value of 9.0 (and non 0.9), then the result is definitely positive and you can be certain you are infected. The inhibition test is a confirmatory test -- but I'm not sure why it is being done. Usually no confirmation is required when the primary test result is so strong.
Please clarify your test results and then ask these questions of the provider. After that, I may be able to be more helpful.
Regards-- HHH, MD
If you are accurately reporting the test result -- in particular, an HSV-2 ELISA value of 9.0 (and non 0.9), then the result is definitely positive and you can be certain you are infected. The inhibition test is a confirmatory test -- but I'm not sure why it is being done. Usually no confirmation is required when the primary test result is so strong.
Please clarify your test results and then ask these questions of the provider. After that, I may be able to be more helpful.
Regards-- HHH, MD
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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.
