How long off antivirals for accurate Igg test

[rwah1234]

Hi Terri,

I have been taking prophylactic valaciclovir for HSV1 for 3 months. I now want to take an IGG test for HSV2 for piece of mind. I have heard mix answers about how long to be off antiviral before getting an accurate test. How long do you need to be off antiviral to get an accurate IGG blood result?

Thank you

[Terri Warren]

The timing of the blot in relationship to taking antivirals is did you take a prolonged course of antivirals immediately after thinking you may have been infected with new HSV 2?

Terri

[rwah1234]

The last time I had unprotected sex was October. I know I have HSV1 from years ago, but I am concerned I have now have HSV2 since October. I haven’t had any active outbreak, but I have had a lot of nerve pain and the feeling an outbreak is happening but no actual outbreak occurs. I started prophylactic antivirals in January (started with acyclovir, then moved to valacyclovir), neither had any effect on the symptoms. I worked up the doses of both with no effect, so I have now stopped taking them. I have taken a few HSV Igg tests since January, all negative for HSV2, but also negative for HSV1 (which I know I have, confirmed by swap result years ago of my only ever active outbreak). I have been on antiviral when taking each of the igg tests since January. I want to know how long till I can take an accurate HSV igg test (normal igg blood test and also blot)?

[Terri Warren]

The IgG test misses 30% of HSV 1 infections compared to the western blot.
If you didn’t take any antivirals between October and January, you are OK to test with the b lot now.

Terri

[rwah1234]

I am a little confused, I have seen on other posts you recommend being off antivirals for 3 months before doing a WB? and still wondering how long do I need to be off them for an accurate Igg test?

[Terri Warren]

The problem with antivirals comes only when they are taken for an extended period of time right after a new infection happens. We need people to be off antivirals for at least three months at some point after they are concerned that they might have been infected. The timing you list suggests that you have had three months off of antivirals and can do the blot now.

Terri

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