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Question for Dr Hunter Handsfield
Hello Dr,
I had HSV genital symptoms a few years back and only recently had the guts to go and get a blood test and this has come back negitive. The symptoms were raised lymph nodes in groin, fever, small cut like sores, aches and pains, nsu, all herpes types symptoms. I did go and get examined at the time however i think it may have been too late and the symptoms had gone away, think it was around a week after experiencing symptoms. The symptoms occurred after unprotected oral sex and protected sex on holiday. Now i've recieved a negitive Herpes Elisa blood test i'm just concerned as to whether i need any further testing. I've had no further outbreaks from what i can recall. I have spoken with Dr Hook and Nurse Terri Warren and they don't recommend any further testing however i'm interested in your view. I've spoken with my clinic, attempting to seek a numerical value however they said there was not one and a negitive result is indeed negitive. I believe the nurse is just lacking full knowledge and a value is available? Do i even need it?
thank you
I had HSV genital symptoms a few years back and only recently had the guts to go and get a blood test and this has come back negitive. The symptoms were raised lymph nodes in groin, fever, small cut like sores, aches and pains, nsu, all herpes types symptoms. I did go and get examined at the time however i think it may have been too late and the symptoms had gone away, think it was around a week after experiencing symptoms. The symptoms occurred after unprotected oral sex and protected sex on holiday. Now i've recieved a negitive Herpes Elisa blood test i'm just concerned as to whether i need any further testing. I've had no further outbreaks from what i can recall. I have spoken with Dr Hook and Nurse Terri Warren and they don't recommend any further testing however i'm interested in your view. I've spoken with my clinic, attempting to seek a numerical value however they said there was not one and a negitive result is indeed negitive. I believe the nurse is just lacking full knowledge and a value is available? Do i even need it?
thank you
Thank you doctor.
I'm fairly certain it was an elisa blood test as two nurses have verbally confirmed this over the phone and i've seen the results paper stating IGg test both neg for hsv 1 and hsv 2. However i was only concerned As i believed the nurses would be more familiar with index value queries etc. nurse terri warren did quote to me that the elisa is the most accurrate test over the immunoblot - that is what is driving my worry. As doesnt a numerical index value test such as the elisa provide that extra certainty?
Maybe the lab just dont issue them for negitive results - either way just thought the nurses must get lots of enquiries unless possibly i'm too ocd!!?
Many thanks
I'm fairly certain it was an elisa blood test as two nurses have verbally confirmed this over the phone and i've seen the results paper stating IGg test both neg for hsv 1 and hsv 2. However i was only concerned As i believed the nurses would be more familiar with index value queries etc. nurse terri warren did quote to me that the elisa is the most accurrate test over the immunoblot - that is what is driving my worry. As doesnt a numerical index value test such as the elisa provide that extra certainty?
Maybe the lab just dont issue them for negitive results - either way just thought the nurses must get lots of enquiries unless possibly i'm too ocd!!?
Many thanks
A related discussion, HSV Concerns was started.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm not aware of any reliable data indicating any difference in sensitivity among the type specific HSV tests. Such a conclusion would require a direct, test-to-test comparison -- and to my knowledge, none of the type-specific HSV results have been compared directly to one another.
Considering the totality of the information available, in addition to the blood test results, you should move on with confidence you don't have genital herpes.
That's definitely all for this thread. Take care and happy holidays.
Considering the totality of the information available, in addition to the blood test results, you should move on with confidence you don't have genital herpes.
That's definitely all for this thread. Take care and happy holidays.
Instead of older i meant some lf the early iGg tests that use crude antigen such as wimpole and other brands quote senitivities lower than current new type specific iGg tests
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I don't know where you read that "an older test" would have lower sensitivity. If "older" means non type-specific, the reverse is true: a negative result is even more reliable in ruling out HSV, especially HSV-1.
That's my last comment. Time to move on.
That's my last comment. Time to move on.
Thank you doctor, much appreciated.
I did read though that in the unlikely event an older test was used the sensitivity could be as low As 80%, surley this would reduce chances of picking up a hsv 2 infection.
Sorry i know i'm looking into it too much but feel its necessary for some reason
Kind regards
I did read though that in the unlikely event an older test was used the sensitivity could be as low As 80%, surley this would reduce chances of picking up a hsv 2 infection.
Sorry i know i'm looking into it too much but feel its necessary for some reason
Kind regards
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It is apparent your anxieties are leading you to undertake unnecessary and ultimately anxiety-enhancing online research. Like most anxious persons, you are over-interpreting and not able to place into proper context the information you are finding. The test issues you raise are not pertinent to your situation. and in any case I am confident all UK GUM clinics use modern, reliable HSV test methods.
Move on without worry.
Move on without worry.
Thank you Doctor, i've been doing very well over the past month with my anxieties after your reply.
Just one other concern i'd love for you to nip in the bud is that i'm concerned that i've not been told the brand of the Elisa HSV testing method. i've read online that even some IgG tests can use an incorrect crude antigen which could cause an inaccurrate result. Are you sure i really do not need to know the exact specifics of the test.
I want to be really sure the UK Gum clinic has used an accurrate modern type specific test. As i read some tests are commerically available and not up to standard.
This would help me sleep better,
thank you so much,
Just one other concern i'd love for you to nip in the bud is that i'm concerned that i've not been told the brand of the Elisa HSV testing method. i've read online that even some IgG tests can use an incorrect crude antigen which could cause an inaccurrate result. Are you sure i really do not need to know the exact specifics of the test.
I want to be really sure the UK Gum clinic has used an accurrate modern type specific test. As i read some tests are commerically available and not up to standard.
This would help me sleep better,
thank you so much,
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The various HSV tests differ in reliability in interpreting a positive or borderline result. With any and all tests, a negative is a negative is a negative -- all tests are equally reliable.
Do your best to stop worrying about it and move on. This thread is done.
Do your best to stop worrying about it and move on. This thread is done.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I have reviewed your previous discussions with Dr. Hook and Terri Warren. FYI, it is only by chance I am replying this time; Dr. Hook and I take questions at random, disregarding specific requests. Our opinions and advice are never significantly different -- and that is the case here as well.
Symptoms are often the least reliable indicators of genital herpes; the lab tests are inherently more reliable. Even the worlds top herpes experts often miss herpes that looks atypical, and diagnose apparently typical cases that turn out not to be herpes after all.
Perhaps your HSV blood test was one of the types that don't give a numerical result. In any case, even if there was a number that for some reason they have not given you, there's never any argument about the interpretation of negative results. The uncertainties are only in the interpretation of weakly positive numbers. So you can be sure it was indeed negative.
So it is time for you to move on. Disregard your initial symptoms: whatever the cause of that problem, it wasn't herpes.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Symptoms are often the least reliable indicators of genital herpes; the lab tests are inherently more reliable. Even the worlds top herpes experts often miss herpes that looks atypical, and diagnose apparently typical cases that turn out not to be herpes after all.
Perhaps your HSV blood test was one of the types that don't give a numerical result. In any case, even if there was a number that for some reason they have not given you, there's never any argument about the interpretation of negative results. The uncertainties are only in the interpretation of weakly positive numbers. So you can be sure it was indeed negative.
So it is time for you to move on. Disregard your initial symptoms: whatever the cause of that problem, it wasn't herpes.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
