First Low Positive

[Golfer37]

Hi Terri –

Last year in April 2022 I had a one night stand unprotected that subsequently caused a lot of anxiety, but no actual herpes symptoms. Lots of psychosomatic sensations only. I got a Labcorp IGG 5x with the first being way too soon in May, and the last being Nov 29, 2022. All were negative. I did the Nov test because I was entering a new relationship. She stated she had been tested and was negative too. We had no issues, maybe had intercourse 10x and oral sex 15x through the relationship. Again no symptoms or issues. Broke up in Feb 2023. No other encounters.

Then in May/June I dated a new girl who performed oral sex 3x. She said she didn’t have any STDs, but when she was younger got cold sores on her mouth, but hadn’t had one in 10 years.

We didn’t last long, but I ended up having similar anxiety after that, but no HSV symptoms. It’s been on and off with the anxiety and psychosomatic sensations for the past 2 months

Here I am in Sept 2023 and am entering into a new relationship with a truly wonderful new girl. We’ve only kissed so far, but bc I see this really having potential, I went ahead and took another IGG test. Was thinking a negative test would alleviate any anxiety I was feeling. What a mistake, because I just tested low positive for HSV 2

All prior 2022 results: <.90 for HSV 1&2

9/1/23
HSV1 <.90 (negative)
HSV2 1.38 (positive)

Test was at labcorp. The STD check doc said the CDC doesn’t recommend testing w/o symptoms, so I feel dumb getting tested and scaring myself. I know you’ve said roughly 85% chance of false positive in my scenario.

He said he’d order the inhibition test thru Quest. Will take that Tues.

If that is negative, should I put this to bed? If positive, what should I do?

Am I worrying unnecessarily?

[Terri Warren]

I’m sorry this happened to you. The STD dock is correct, we do not recommend this test for anyone who doesn’t have symptoms due to the very high rate of false positives. There is excellent agreement between people who obtain a negative inhibition assay and subsequently get a negative western blot. There is not good agreement between people who get a positive inhibition essay and a positive western blood, however.

We also need to take into account your sexual activity when we look at these numbers and I do not think that your sexual activity represents a risk for the acquisition of HSV two, given your previous negatives. My guess is that your inhibition assay will be negative. If the inhibition assay is positive, then you need a western blot.

Terri

[Golfer37]

Thanks Terri. I haven’t received the results of the inhibition test yet (the waiting is tough).

Based on the history and timing I described, and the 1.38 positive result, was curious if that would at all be likely as a result of my 1 night encounter 16 mos ago, or my short relationship 7 mos ago. In other words, had I contracted HSV2 from them, would you expect the results to be a higher number?

In each situation, each girl said they were negative for STDs, but I never verified results. I certainly trust the girl I had a relationship with.

If contracting it from the two girls above is unlikely given the combo of my low numeric result and the time passed, then that leaves the girl from 2 months ago, which I only received oral sex from a couple times – am I correct it’s pretty unlikely to get HSV2 from that? She also said she didn’t have any STDs except for cold sores as a kid, with no recurrence for 10 yrs.

My last question is that if this inhibition test comes back with a negative IGG and they don’t do the actual inhibition, should I consider that final? Hoping they do the inhibition regardless to confirm my previous test.

Thanks again for everything you do here. The support you provide to so many people is really wonderful. This forum has provided me so much helpful information.

[Terri Warren]

You would very likely not get HSV 2 from receiving oral sex.
There is very good agreement between a negative inhibition assay and a negative western blot subsequently. If you get a positive inhibition assay, I would do the blot as well.

Terri

[Golfer37]

Hi Terri,

Unfortunately the inhibition test came back tonight with the following:

IGG: 1.96
Inhibition: 95.6 Positive

I’m absolutely devastated. Sick to my stomach. And I can’t understand how this happened. Having tested negative 7 months after the 1 night stand 17 months ago, I thought I’d avoided it. And it’s just so hard to believe I would have caught anything from the girlfriend 7 mos ago, or the 3 oral sex episodes 2.5 months ago.

But just this week, seriously just this week, I’ve noticed 4 different EXTREMELY tiny red dots on my shaft, but not at the same time. It’s been only one per day, every other day, and they each disappeared within 12 hrs. They have been single, not a bump or fluid filled. No scabs. I’ve noticed one every other day in totally different spots on my shaft, no one near the other.

Should I order the WB to confirm?

Given my scores, if actually positive, which do you think is the most likely partner to have passed this to me?

[Golfer37]

Well Terri, I spoke too soon. No later than I finished the message to you did I check again and now, out of nowhere, I have a decent sized red bump on the underside of my shaft in a new spot. And two other spots in other areas now appear reddish (no bumps). What are the odds these all appear the week after I take a random blood test??

I think I’ll go to urgent care in the morning to get a swab test. But my gut is telling me I have HSV2…I just am so confused at how I got it, unless it’s finally showing up from 17mos ago.

[Golfer37]

Terri, you’re gonna think I’m nuts, but I woke up to go to the bathroom…there are zero red spots or bumps now. The redness and bump I very much saw 4 hours ago, which was almost a deep red pimple- looking bump, is nowhere to be seen. I did take one 1g Valtrex that I received last year after an urgent care visit as a precaution. But it’s only been 4 hours…

Sorry for all the posts, but this is all very clearly messing with my mind

[Terri Warren]

We are seeing several false positives with the inhibition assay now. Please do not believe it and get the western blot

Terri

[Author]

Posts