Also, I suggest you never be tested for HSV again, except if 1) you have sex with a partner known for sure to have HSV-2 (and even then testing probably isn't necessary unless/until you have a regular, ongoing relationship with such a person); or 2) if you develop symptoms that suggest genital herpes. The HSV antibody tests are not designed for people at low risk for herpes, which is one reason you got into trouble with that low false positive initial result. (In other words, your first test should not even have been done -- and look where it got you!)
Your first HSV-2 result was technically in the borderline positve range, which includes ELISA values of 1.1 and higher. The one value of 0.96 was in the "indeterminate" zone. All the rest of your results were completely negative. You can be 100% confident you are not infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2 and don't need any further testing.
Ab is just an abbreviation for antibody, which is what the test measures (antibody to HSV).
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
For that matter, you could replicate this entire thread for your doctor. I stand behind the scientific evidence of all I have said. If he still has questions, invite him to contact me by email (my address is pretty easy to find on the directory at www.washington.edu) and I can provide him with references to the medical literature on HSV antibody testing.
MedHelp asks its moderators to try to avoid overtly disagreeing with questioners' own doctors. But your doctor's statement about the "fairest interpretation" of the results is mistaken. Like many providers, he apparently does not understand the nuances of this test and seemingly does not understand some of the details of genital herpes. For example, there is no such thing as an HSV blood test showing "exposure" without infection. And infected people do not go back and forth between positive and negative results. However, he is correct about the possibility of minor variations from one lab to another in how a test comes out.
If you want to diplomatically correct your doctor, you might refer him to the thread I referred you to yesterday:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/593272. Or copy and print it out for him.
The biological reasons for low-level false positive HSV-2 results are not known. Some cases are related somehow to HSV-1; that is, false positive HSV-2 results seem to be more common in people whose HSV-1 test results also are positive. But this doesn't apply in your case.
The reason testing isn't recommended in persons at very low risk is to avoid exactly the sort of confusion/uncertainty you have been experiencing the past few months. The analytic concept is somewhat complex, but it relates to a calculation called "positive predictive value" of a test. The lower the likelihood a person has disease X (whether herpes or anything esle), the more likely a positive test result for X will be false. This is a minor problem for some diseases and their diagnostic tests, such as HIV and other STD tests. But it's a problem with many others, including HSV-2 testing.
The reasons beyond all this have been discussed in some detail in this forum. Scan some other threads. Here is a good one to start with:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/593272.
Sorry for the constant need for reassurance. Thank you doctor. I will not ask anymore questions!
How many times and in how many ways can it be said?? YES!
That will have to end this thread.
thank you dr ! You have been so helpful . I can go on being positive that I am hsv1 &2 free?
Sorry one last thing. I emailed my doctor prior to asking my question to you about my lab results and his answer was
To address your labs and concerns over them, I think the fairest interpretation of those results is that variations will arise from lab to lab. Most of your results were negative with one being equivocal and one being positive. It is likely that you were exposed in the past, although you may not show anything currently, in which case no further treatment is needed. If you wish we can continue to check the titers, but I would recommend sticking with one lab only for a more reliable reference.
And to clarify he said that one of the lab said I'm positive so he thinks I am but is not showing symptoms right now? Or it possibly could be lab error. Should I just ignore him? Your explanation sounds most plausible to me but I wanted your opinion.
Thank you,
So sorry for bothering you again. I also have OCD so I can't help but obsess over this.
You're welcome. Take care and stay safe.
Thank you for all your help. I really appreciate it.
But in case you do I would also like to know why people with low risk for herpes are not suggested to get a blood test done? Thanks =X last post..promise!
Sorry! I'm not sure if I was allowed to ask more questions. Disregard that if I wasn't suppose to. Thanks again! I can have a peace of mind again.
Thank you so much Dr. Hunter Handsfield! It was just that my gyno was so quick to say hey you have HSV II! Good luck! Bye! and I was left being totally clueless! Why do borderline positive happen? and I gave it enough time for testing right? Sorry I'm super parinoid! Thanks!