Diagnosed 15 years ago, but questioning the tests

[lalaland]

Hi Terri, Thank you for all of your service to this community.

I was diagnosed w HSV2 via tests using IgM (which is useless I know) & IgG 15 years ago. This was bc of a spot/lesion that developed after a sexual encounter where the condom slipped off in the middle & I was unaware until afterward. It was not a blister & there was no fluid; no swab or culture was done (that I know of). The gyno said, “it doesn’t look like herpes” (but of course, that’s no way to diagnose it). As a side note, I’ve had HSV1 orally since childhood.

Although I knew my igg # at one time, I don’t know it anymore, but I think it was in the 4 range.

I was so distraught, I got a Bio Kit at a different doctor that I’d never been to. He told me, “It’s sort of positive.” (his exact words!) I said, “What does ‘sort of’ mean?” & he said, “Well, it’s positive in my experience.” I took this as true & went on with my life.

In the last 15 years, I’ve never had blisters or a traditional / significant outbreak. There have been a couple of times (2-3?) where I questioned if some irritation was an ingrown hair, shaving/waxing irritation, yeast infection irritation, or herpes. While I’ve taken antivirals in the past to prevent transmission to partners, that’s been infrequent, & 5+ years ago.

I was reading up on false positives with some igg readings, plus the biokit “easy to overread” issues and given my history, I’m wondering 1) do you think there’s a chance the initial tests were wrong & if so, 2) should I get retested & what test should I get? I don’t really have the money for a western blot right now, so I’m wondering what would be best.

As a side note for those struggling, in the last 15 yrs, I’ve always had “the talk” before an encounter & have never been rejected. (There were a couple who bailed shortly after, but good riddance.) I’ve had long-term relationships & was married; none of my partners, to my knowledge, acquired HSV2 & once we were monogamous, did not use condoms/meds.

Thank you!

[Terri Warren]

1) do you think there’s a chance the initial tests were wrong & if so,
Yes!

2) should I get retested & what test should I get? I don’t really have the money for a western blot right now, so I’m wondering what would be best.

I won’t suggest any other testing besides the western blot. Everything else has so many problems that I just can’t recommend some thing else. The only thing that comes to mind is if LabCorp once again gets there supplemental test back in stock, you could do that. But if it’s positive, that could be a false positive. If the supplemental test is negative, then I would feel quite reassured that you do not have HSV two.

Terri

[lalaland]

Thanks, Terri.

I tried to get a Western Blot through my insurance yesterday using teledoc, but they don’t do that and they only suggested going to a clinic for a test. :/ I feel like I’m stuck in limbo a little bit. I saw that study where you found many people who’d had low positive iggs and a postive biokit were actually negative…I wish I coud find my igg levels but it was 2007.

I guess I’m wondering in your professional opinion considering my history/testing how likely it is that those might have been false positives.

And how do I follow up about the LabCorp testing to see if that’s an option? Is that something I’d still need to ask my PCP to order for me?

Thank you.

[Terri Warren]

You can order the test through LabCorp yourself, without a provider order. Sounds like what you want is the HSV 2 IgG with supplemental confirmatory test. i think they might be out of supplies for the supplemental (which is the one we want), so I would ask before spending the money on the IgG test.

Terri

[lalaland]

I’ve decided that I need to do the Western Blot bc I feel like I’ll never be sure unless I have that.

1) (more of a technical Q) I’m trying to schedule an eVisit and there are no available dates — I can’t successfully choose any date in the calendar. I’ve put in a support ticket with the eVisit ppl but on the other hand, was wondering if maybe you aren’t taking eVisits right now? I scrolled forward on the calendar a whole year without luck on being able to click on a date.

2) And I know this is my last follow-up question, but in your experience, what are the rates of indeterminate or “faint positive” biokits that come up negative on WB?

Thanks again for your help.

[Terri Warren]

1) (more of a technical Q) I’m trying to schedule an eVisit and there are no available dates — I can’t successfully choose any date in the calendar. I’ve put in a support ticket with the eVisit ppl but on the other hand, was wondering if maybe you aren’t taking eVisits right now? I scrolled forward on the calendar a whole year without luck on being able to click on a date.

There are dates available now – this Thursday, actually

2) And I know this is my last follow-up question, but in your experience, what are the rates of indeterminate or “faint positive” biokits that come up negative on WB?
I don’t have that information but in the past five months, I’ve had 33 positive LabCorp supplemental tests that were negative by western blot.

Terri

[Author]

Posts