hsv 2 test score

[confused88]

Hi Terri,

Im a 32 year old male. I got out of a monogamous relationship this past June and entered the dating scene for the first time in close to 5 years. After dating around a bit, I decided to go get tested for my own peace of mind. I had no symptoms or reason to get tested. My questionable encounters happened in the middle of November, and my first test was on December 10th.

Everything came back negative, accept my IgM score came back slightly elevated…. I believe around a 1.3. After finally getting a hold of the nurse where I was tested, he informed me that I had hsv 1, but didn’t have general Herpes. I have no idea why he told me that considering there was no IgG done.

I was tested again at a different office by IgG in late December. My results were as followed:

HSV 1 – 14.80
HSV 2 – 1.22

IgM – 1.05

I have never had any symptoms to my knowledge of either hsv 1 or 2.

How likely is it that my hsv 2 is a false positive?

Does my low hsv 2 score indicate it was a recent exposure?

Thank you so much for your help!

[Terri Warren]

First of all, forget about the IgM. It just isn’t reliable.
The 1.22 on your HSV 2 score could be that for one of three reasons:
1) it is a low positive because you are going from negative to positive and you are just passing through this low positive range and will later be much higher.
2). It is a true positive and you just have a low positive real number
3) There is an 85% chance this is a false positive but since you have had a recent partner , it is too soon to know for certain.

Here is what I would recommend. Repeat the IgG antibody test when 12 weeks have passed since the November encounter. If it is still below 3.5, I would advise getting a western bot antibody test for confirmation. Our clinic can easily arrange this for you. If it is negative, then I think it is very likely truly negative. If it is well above 3.5, then I think you were in the process of seroconversion.
Let me know what other questions you might have.

Terri

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