Help Me Find Relief

[PeaceOfMind5]

Hello!

To start, this forum has been so helpful in finding answers and relief around test results, so thank you so much for all of the work that you’re doing!

I am looking for advice on how I should perceive my test results because I am highly skeptical of them. In June 2023 I went to a clinic for regular blood work and was unknowingly also tested for STD’s/STI’s (none of which I had any concerns for) and this, of course, included HSV1 and HSV2 (also had no concern of either).

I was naturally so shocked to learn my test for HSV2 came back positive with an index value of 1.7 and was immediately skeptical, but also scared. The test for HSV1 was negative. I have only had one sexual partner and we always used protection. I have never had symptoms at all and my last sexual encounter was over 2 years ago with the one and only sexual partner I’ve had. They also never had any symptoms or signs of anything. And again, we always used protection.

I went to a different doctor and explained all of this (including other grievances I had with the previous doctor visit) and he reassured me that if I’ve had no open sores or other symptoms that I had nothing to worry about. I’ve read so much over the last few months about this and also know that my index value is very likely to be a false positive, so I just want to know if given my circumstances, it is safe to not believe those test results?

I also called the first doctor again recently to explain to him the stress this has caused me and he even said that he did not mean to tell me I had HSV2, but to “just be aware” because many people do have it. I also read that if you’ve had chickenpox, the tests could cross-react with that and give you a false positive. My mother said that I did have chickenpox, so all of my searching for answers is leading me to believe that I do not have HSV2 and I would really love to know if you would agree based on your studies and experiences with others.

I appreciate it so much!

Thank you!

[Terri Warren]

At 1.7 for HSV 2, there is probably a 70% chance that this is a false positive without any other information at all. But with only one-lifetime sex partner, the odds are probably better than that. Do you know their status? A herpes western blot would give you clarity, but I doubt you are infected. Truly

Terri

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