Confused about test results, never any symptoms

[Imsoconfused1984]

I was just tested positive for hsv1 and hsv2 which came as a big surprise because I had gotten tested about a year ago and it was positive for hsv1 (I never get or have gotten any cold sores in the past and I’m now 40) but not positive for hsv2. When they said I tested positive for hsv2 last Friday I was just blown away. Me and my partner never had any symptoms. We have broken apart and seen other people and some of the sex was unprotected so it’s no surprise as to how we got IF we got it. I tested last Friday and she is going to be tested soon. I’m confused about the test score. It looks like it states:
hsv-2 IgG screening index = value of 4.73H
% inhibition=96.0 H
Inhibition interpretation=positive

We have been together for about a year and a half and I got tested as I stated about a year or so ago and I was negative for hsv2 then but positive now.The fights were having and the tears are brutal. My question is, can this be wrong? I’ve had chicken pox as a child and I take welbrutrin, sometimes adderall and Xanax (very rarely). Once again, neither of us have had any symptoms whatsoever. Should I get tested again? What do you think?

[Terri Warren]

At this index value, there is an excellent chance that this is a true positive. I have seen false positives in this range (compared to western blot, the gold standard), but certainly not often. Has anyone contacted the partners in between when you were apart to see if anyone tested positive for HSV 2?

Though I think the chance that this is a false positive is low, you could confirm with herpes western blot if you wanted to. Let’s see what her test shows first.

I don’t think any of the factors you mention like chicken pox or the medicines you list have any impact on these test results. And I also don’t think that retesting will be helpful. Hang on and see what her test results show and let me know.

Terri

[Imsoconfused1984]

I agree, FYI the reason I went for the test was bc I had dripped a fluid on my penis skin (hair dye) and it burned it, looking very much like herpes. The dr confirmed that it was not so I took the test anyways. I was extremely stressed over the summer due to stock losses, then I started a new job which was extremely stressful for the month of October and now these last 2 stressful weeks which included bad food and alcohol. So where is the evidence for breakouts? Shouldn’t I have a breakout due to these circumstances? I’ve had no breakouts and I am always a depressed person.

Her tests came back negative for hsv2 and positive for hsv1 and she got those results today. I have slept with this girl so many times and she doesn’t have it and I have contacted my other partners and they don’t have it. When she went to get her test the other day, the dr didn’t even want to test her bc she said if there’s nothing wrong, she said you’re going to get yourself all stressed out because many people test positive for antibodies and freak out. What the dr told her is that I have had sex with someone and have Prob been exposed to the virus at some point and tested positive for antibodies-it doesn’t mean I have herpes. She said the dr said I have herpes when I have an an outbreak or sores and whatnot but until then I don’t have herpes. She said 75% of the ppl in NYC will test positive for antibodies freak out and go crazy. The last thing I’ll say is I went on accutane in my early 20s I’m 40 now.

So, this girl I’ve been sexual with (18 months) doesn’t have it, my other partner said she didn’t have it and I didn’t have it about 18 months ago bc I tested neg for hsv2 but positive for 1. The dr is telling her to tell me, not to worry. I don’t have herpes. FYI, my dr basically said I was positive, said some stuff I didn’t understand bc she was foreign and left me with questions. So with everything I said, should I be worried? Do you think I will have an outbreak even after all of this?

[Terri Warren]

Her doctor is not accurate. Only 16% of the US Population will test positive for HSV 2 and 56% for HSV 1. If all of your partners since your last test (which was negative) test negative, then I would strongly suggest that you get a herpes western blot to see if this could be a false positive. If it is a true positive, then you are both infected and infectious to others. Period. Not everyone who has herpes has outbreaks they recognize but everyone infected with HSV 2 shed virus at some point which makes them potentially infectious to others. Our clinic can arrange a western blot for you in New York through a research study we are doing.

Terri

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