Could it be a false positive for HSV 2 and should a western blot be done?

[anonhelp]

Hello, Terri.

I am an <30 year old male. I recently completed a 10 panel std test, performed at Labcorp. I came back positive on an IgG test for HSV 2 with a score of 3.94. They ran a supplemental IgG test and it came back as positive (no score). This was quite shocking for me as I have never had any of the symptoms of HSV 2. I rarely have cold sores, maybe once a year, and they go away in usually a day. I remember having them before my first kiss. I have had two sexual partners. One was an ex who I frequently had unprotected sex with for about a year (~ 4 years ago). She had never mentioned to me that she had any sti’s of any sort. My other partner was a one night stand in which no penetration occurred, but she did rub against my bare penis with her vagina (~9 months ago). Labcorp also performed a HSV 1 IgG test and that came back as <.91. Again, I have never experienced any symptoms of HSV 2.

My questions are –

1. How do I experience cold sores but came back negative for HSV 1 and could they be caused by HSV 2?

2.Do you believe a western blot would be necessary and what do you think my chances are that this is a false positive based on my current results?

This is quite a scary time for me and I appreciate you taking your time to respond to me.

[Terri Warren]

1. How do I experience cold sores but came back negative for HSV 1 and could they be caused by HSV 2?
The IgG test for HSV 1 misses 30% of HSV 1 infections compared to the gold standard herpes western blot

2.Do you believe a western blot would be necessary and what do you think my chances are that this is a false positive based on my current results?
I think, given your pretty limited sexual experiences, that this could be a false positive, yes. I would recommend the blot in your situation. I now have over 100 people with false positive supplemental test from labCorp so don’t believe that quite yet.

Terri

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