HSV 2 Results

[Ak0049]

I had a positive result for HSV 2 from an Herpes Type 1 & Type 2, IgG and IgM test. HSV 1 was negative. At the time of these tests, it had been over two years since my last sexual encounter.

The value for HSV 2 Glycoprotein G Ab was 1.62

I had two subsequent test completed at my request, as my physician new very little about the subject and just forwarded me the results.

The first test was an HSV2 IGG INHIBITION,ELISA from Quest. It came back with:
HSV2 IGG INHIBITION,ELISA
The HSV-2 IgG screening assay was repeated at
Focus Diagnostics, and the result was not positive
(i.e., the index was <1.10); thus, the inhibition
study result could not be determined.
This assay is intended only for samples giving a
positive index in the HerpeSelect HSV-2
type-specific IgG screening ELISA. A POSITIVE
inhibition study interpretation indicates true
HSV-2 specific reactivity, whereas a NEGATIVE
inhibition study interpretation indicates that the
positive screening index was falsely positive.

I had an additional follow up test from Labcorp:

HSV 1 and 2−Specific Ab, IgG
HSV 1 IgG, Type Spec
HSV 2 IgG, Type Spec
Both HSV 1 & 2 came back negative <0.91

My question is, was this just a false positive? Should I do anything else to further verify? Also, I’m not sure if you can answer this but, what are your views on disclosing this story to future partners? I kind of feel obligated to share the story before hand, but another part of me thinks it’s just an undue burden on both parties if this was just a statistical error.

Thanks for your help!

[Terri Warren]

Yes, I believe that the first test was a false positive. I don’t love the inhibition assay as a confirmatory test because I have seen it confirm tests that are completely negative by western blot considered the gold standard in herpes testing. But this time the inhibition assay was negative, which makes me happy. I don’t think that there is anything else that you need to do. I know that this false positives can be scary and disconcerting but that’s all they are – FALSE POSITIVES.

After saying all of that, I am assuming that you waited an adequate amount of time (4 months) from your last sexual encounter to getting testing done, or accuracy. Antibody takes time to develop, and if you test too soon, it will not be accurate and the low positive could be due to antibody developing but not yet fully there.

Terri

[Author]

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