HSV 1 False Positive?

[FalsePos36Spectator]

Hi Terri!

Went in for routine yearly bloodwork last week and had yearly physical today. Had no symptoms of anything.

Quest Diagnostics HSV 1 IGG, TYPE SPECIFIC AB results came in at 1.53H (positive).

HSV 2 IGG came in negative.

I have a few thoughts/questions..

1.) Nothing showed up in my physical last year (different doctor). Either it was negative or they didn’t test for it, I honestly don’t know. I plan to find out tomorrow though.

2.) Two years ago I donated bone marrow to a stranger with cancer. They did extensive testing on me and nothing came up.

3.) A few times a year I do get what I thought was a pimple on my bottom lip. When I say bottom lip I mean right below the lip. It isn’t actually on the lip. It also doesn’t look like a fever blister/cold sore I have seen in HSV 1 pictures, but just a regular pimple that I can pop. I assumed I just get it in that area for the same reason I get recurring pimples in the same spot on my neck from shaving. It’s just more sensitive/prone for whatever reason. Maybe I sleep on that side of my face in a puddle of drool all night, maybe I touch it too much with my hand, etc…who knows.

ALSO, coincidentally the day of my bloodwork I happened to have one of these lower lip pimples (was first one I have had in probably 6 months)…just thought that was worth mentioning.

4.) These pimples on my lip also never have this tingling feeling that I have been told Herpes sores have. Are these sores always supposed to tingle?

5.) My understanding is IGG is an antibody, and the most popular one in the body. Do these Quest Diagnostic tests just identify the presence of them? How do I know it isn’t high because IGG is fighting another virus in my body? Or just stopped fighting another virus?

I feel like I need Western Blot either way, so would love next steps on best way to do that down in Miami.

Thanks!

[Terri WarrenKeymaster]

1.) Nothing showed up in my physical last year (different doctor). Either it was negative or they didn’t test for it, I honestly don’t know. I plan to find out tomorrow though.

By now, you know the answer to this.

2.) Two years ago I donated bone marrow to a stranger with cancer. They did extensive testing on me and nothing came up.

And I don’t know if they do herpes testing for that.

3.) A few times a year I do get what I thought was a pimple on my bottom lip. When I say bottom lip I mean right below the lip. It isn’t actually on the lip. It also doesn’t look like a fever blister/cold sore I have seen in HSV 1 pictures, but just a regular pimple that I can pop. I assumed I just get it in that area for the same reason I get recurring pimples in the same spot on my neck from shaving. It’s just more sensitive/prone for whatever reason. Maybe I sleep on that side of my face in a puddle of drool all night, maybe I touch it too much with my hand, etc…who knows.

This does not sound typically herpetic either.

ALSO, coincidentally the day of my bloodwork I happened to have one of these lower lip pimples (was first one I have had in probably 6 months)…just thought that was worth mentioning.

4.) These pimples on my lip also never have this tingling feeling that I have been told Herpes sores have. Are these sores always supposed to tingle?

I think for most people there is a feeling of movement under the skin as a cold sore develops, yes

5.) My understanding is IGG is an antibody, and the most popular one in the body. Do these Quest Diagnostic tests just identify the presence of them? How do I know it isn’t high because IGG is fighting another virus in my body? Or just stopped fighting another virus?

the antibody test is specific to this virus, not some kind of general IgG

And yes, the western blot will clarify this for you.
Terri

[FalsePos36Spectator]

Thanks Terri! Really appreciate the quick reply.

Three more quick questions:

1.) Are false positives just as common with Oral HSV 1 as they are with HSV 2?

I seem to be mainly reading about false positives related to HSV 2.

2.) What is best way to go about western blot? Get a prescription from my doctor?

3.) Assuming I do hae Oral HSV 1 (I’m honestly 50/50 on it), do you recommend disclosing this to any potential sexual partners? I haven’t had symptoms and seeing as 75% of people have it, I am wondering how big of a deal it is. Honestly, I wish my doctor had never tested me for it, but now that I know I may have it I feel somewhat obligated to disclose.

Thanks!

[Terri WarrenKeymaster]

1. No, in our research we found more false positives with HSV 2.
2. You can either work with your doctor and UW to get this or I can work with you to get it as well – with me you would need to do a videoconference to establish a relationship before I would order it.
3. About 47% of people have HSV 1 in the US. I would encourage you to disclose this before giving someone oral sex. And I would particularly encourage you to obtain the western blot at this index value.

Terri

[FalsePos36Spectator]

Thanks Terri. Will schedule a video conference with you…

[FalsePos36Spectator]

Just scheduled, but want to confirm if time is EST? Don’t want to miss the appointment 🙂

Thanks!

[Terri WarrenKeymaster]

The time they give you is your time – it’s adjusted for my time. You’re good.

This is your final post on this subscription. If you have more questions, feel free to renew or I will answer them in our call.

Terri

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