Low Positive for HSV 1 & 2 w/o symptoms

[Hydrengea81]

Hello Dr.
I'm very confussed and conserened about my results for HSV 1&2 .
On November 12 I got results from the lab that say Im positive for HSV 1 ( with an IgG of 2.77)
and  positive for HSV 2 ( with an index of 1.89) . There is a note saying: Positive indicates antibodies detected to HSV-1 ; coinfection with HSV-2 cannot be excluded without type specific testing.
The same note is under the HSV-2 results but stating the oppisite( coinfection with HSV1 cannot be excluded). I'm so confussed because I thought this was type specific.I've been reading up on low positives and apparently there is a small probability that I'm showing a false positive for either HSV 1 or HSV 2 if indexes are lower than 3.5???
I most recently got tested again but this time with and IgM . On November 25 my result showed  HSV1 index of 1.28 and HSV 2 index 0.72 .
At this point I'm distraught- if any risk of infection occured it would have been in March or April. I've never had any cold sores ( but I have had cancker sores when my toothbrush slips and cuts the linning of my gum- very rarely happens though) in my life or genetial sores. I've never felt my glands swell up either and I have been under plenty of stress since I recently divorced. I had chicken pox when I was 9 and my mother is prone to shingles.
I understand I could do a Western Blot test- but im under the impression that it's a swap test on a recent sore- How will this apply to me if I have never had any sore?.
Is there Test that could clear this confusion up for me- I just would like to really be 100% sure if I have it or not and which one I have. Thank you for your help.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Don't be confused.  Ignore the result.  IgM tests are NOT recommended by any expert group becuae they are often wrong.  Their false positve rates are high.  EWH

[basanti]

hellow doctor
I am very confused  about my results of hsv 1&2 igm.

(Test description-hsv1&2 igm),(value observed-0.35 index value)(biological reference interval- 1.2 index value: positive)     (accreditation-                         ).



method elisa

[basanti]

hellow doctor
I am very confused  about my results of hsv 1&2 igm.

(Test description-hsv1&2 igm),(value observed-0.35 index value)(biological reference interval- 1.2 index value: positive)     (accreditation-                         ).



method elisa

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  You do not tell us why you had the blood test but unless you had a reason better than "just to check up", this is just the reason that neither we nor the CDC recommend routine testing for HSV- the test is just not good enough for use in persons who do not have a very good reason for testing.  

Your history is not particualrly suggestive of HSV.  

Further, I'm not sure what test was performed on you.  Was this a gG-based, type specific test?  If not, the results are worthless.  If it was a gG-based, type specific test, the odds remain quite high that your test result is a false positive result.  IgM tests and index values are morel likely to confuse things than to help.  

The best way to sort this out, if these results are for a type specific test, is with repeat testing using another type specific test (we suggest use of the Surview or Biokit assay) or a Western blot test, either of which can be performed on blood and do not require a swab or a lesion to be present.  The Western blot assay performed at the University of Washington is currently considered the most accurate HSV blood test.  Most labs will send specimens there for testing which can take several weeks.

I hope these comments are helpful. EWH