Do you recommend western blot?

[Lj44]

Hi Terri,

First for some background, my ex girlfriend is hsv 2 positive. We dated for about 8 months and always used protection besides once when we first started dating and once the condom broke.

I recently got tested about two weeks ago through stdcheck.com/labcorp and my results were:

Hsv 1 – 5.46
Hsv 2 – 2.22
Supplemental – Positive (recommended confirmation test)

Took the confirmation test a week later:

Confirmation test (immunoblot) – positive
I’ve read some of your replies to others where you say don’t like the immunoblot.

I have never had an outbreak but know I can still have it and be asymptomatic. I also know couples can date for years and one not give it to the other.

My questions for you are:

1. Would you say it’s fairly certain I truly am positive based off the test and the fact my ex is positive.
2 Could these be false positives like I’m hoping.
3. Do you recommend the western blot? I’d be pretty upset to spend the money on it just for it to also be positive.

Thanks!

• This topic was modified 1 month, 4 weeks ago by Lj44.

[Lj44]

Another question, is it common for someone to have a positive immunoblot and then a negative western blot? Do you have any stats on this?

Thanks!

[Terri Warren]

1. Would you say it’s fairly certain I truly am positive based off the test and the fact my ex is positive.
No, not at all.
2 Could these be false positives like I’m hoping.
Yes, they certainly could be. You index value is low and your sexual practices with your HSV 2 partner were careful
3. Do you recommend the western blot? I’d be pretty upset to spend the money on it just for it to also be positive.
Well, the CDC says you need a blot because of your index value and so do I, but no one can promise you a negative blot.

Another question, is it common for someone to have a positive immunoblot and then a negative western blot? Do you have any stats on this?
Very common. The CDC is very very clear that the immunoblot should never be used to confirm a low positive as they are basically the same test, just processed and read differently. If someone has an index value of 2.2, I would say it is virtually certain the immunoblot would be positive. Whoever recommended it should be sent the CDC guidelines and a request should be made by you for a refund.

Terri

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