Confused about results

[Scaredinny]

Hi Terri,

Approximately two years ago I had an encounter where I received unprotected oral sex for a very short period of time, a few minutes at most. Prior to that I’d been monogamous for over 7 years never having experienced any symptoms. I was tested a month after the encounter and received an equivocal result of 1.05 on the hsv 2 igg; a follow up test was negative.

Fast forward two years my relationship ended and I had protected vaginal intercourse with another woman. I went to get tested about a month later and again returned an unequivocal result of 1.06 on the igg. My doctor immediately told me that I have herpes type two despite my never actually testing positive.

A few weeks ago I did have a small breakout of what I believed to be ingrown hairs on the area above my penis; they were red bumps that did not look like blisters (no white top); they were also on my back and chest. Also about a year ago I had a burning sensation when peeing and some discharge from my penis which my urologist diagnosed as a prostate infection.

I’ve gone ahead and ordered the WB test to know for sure but was hoping to get your opinion on the matter in the mean time.

Thank you.

[Scaredinny]

Oh, and if it matters I’m negative for hsv 1

[Terri Warren]

You’ve never tested positive for HSV 2, based on what you’ve written to me. I believe that if you had actually been infected with HSV 2, your index value would have climbed by now into the positive range. I do not agree at all with your doctor, but the western blot will tell for certain.

Terri

[Scaredinny]

Thank you, Terri.

Few follow-ups for you

1) I’m utterly confused how I could not have the virus but return this equivocal test result TWICE. What causes this?
2) have you heard any updates about the wb in New York? They told me over the phone that this issue was resolved and I’d b fine doing it in NYC. If not, I’m prepared to leave the state.
3) Finally, my last sexual encounter was a month ago and the test that returned the 1.06 was a week ago; how long should I wait before taking the WB?

[Terri Warren]

There are cellular proteins in your blood that can trip the test, and at much higher levels than yours!
Who told you it had been resolved? We deal with this issues by offering participation in a study we are doing looking at the false positive rates of people who live in the “forbidden” states. Rene in our office can tell you all about that. It is not free but it is a way to obtain the western blot.
A final test should be done 16 weeks from the exposure.

Terri

[Scaredinny]

I asked the gentleman who answered the phone at UW and he said that they’d filed the needed paperwork and the issue was resolved. With that said he didn’t seem 100% confident so I will reach out to Rene to discuss how that would work.

[Terri Warren]

OK, sounds good. And I’ll also check with UW to see what’s up with that.

Terri

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