HSV 2,Western Blot in NY/NJ?

[Oliveleaf]

Dear Terry,
For my OBGYN annual STD testing in July 2014, I tested positive for HSV2 IgG Type Specific 1.38. For my 3 months follow up in November, I tested equivocal for HSV 2 IgG Type Specific 1.02. For my recent test in December 2014, I tested positive for HSV 1 IgG Type Specific 3.6 and HSV2 IgG 1.25. (1st time tested for HSV1). After doing some research, I understand that my numbers are low positives. I have had a total of 3 sexual partners in my life, with my last partner being the only one I had unprotected intercourse with. My 1st partner (2008) and I were virgins and used protection. I used protection with my 2nd partner (2013) but did have unprotected oral sex and I do not know his current STD status. My last partner (Jan 2014) tested positive HSV1 but negative for HSV 2. Yet I remember him having redness and bumps on the shaft of his penis but he was uncircumcised. Right after we ended our relationship was when I had my annual STD testing this July 2014 (7 months of being with my last sexual partner).

With my low positive blood serum results, I would like to move forward with the Western Blot to be the definitive test as to if my low positive result is true/false. I’ve never had an outbreak of herpes symptoms orally and gentially. I live in NYC and the Western Blot test cannot be done here. I want to have the test done in NJ but I do not know where to go and how to go about it. From reading online forums, I was recommended to you to schedule an appointment at a nearby NJ clinic/lab to have the Western Blot test. May you please help me to set up an appointment for the Western Blot HSV testing in NJ? Do I need to have a phone consultation with you first/be a patient of your clinic before having this test setup? I understand that at 16wks or more is the best time to test with the Western Blot and since having my last sexual intercourse Jan-July 2014, I think it’s more than enough time than the allotted 16 wks.

Earlier this year February 2014 (while dating my last partner who was negative for hsv2), I had some tingling and redness and my OBGYN said it was possibly from engaging in “rough sex” and/or a yeast infection and she prescribed me a yeast infection medication. My STD workup was all negative February 2014 (I do not know if she tested me for HSV at the time). I’m confused as to where I would have been exposed to HSV2. I do work in the hospital and am surrounded/in direct contact with patients who have a medical history of illness in the herpes family like varicella/EBV/etc. Can being in contact with such patients cause low positives for my HSV2 testing?

For the past couple of months, I’ve been confused, nervous and anxious about my test results. I don’t have any herpes symptoms but my blood serum levels are showing equivocal/low positive results on the IgG Specific tests. I want confirmatory diagnositic testing to know for sure if my serum blood levels are true/false to having HSV 2. I’m stressed about where/how/when I could have been exposed to HSV and possibly transmitting it to future partners. Also, I’m concern about the effects of daily supression therapy of valtrex and it’s side effects. I know that it may cause nephrotoxicity but I am a young, healthy adult. WIll daily suppression therapy of valtrex affect the female reproductive systemhave any other effects on the female body?

Thank you for your time.

[Terri Warren]

Unfortunately, we are really bound by the laws of New York on this issue. And Quest labs, whom we normally use to to transport samples to the University of Washington, is now asking for valid ID before samples can be shipped out, to avoid New York people shipping their samples from New Jersey to UW. It is extremely frustrating for me as I am sure it is for you.

We are beginning a new research study where samples will be shipped from all over the country and it is possible that you could be part of that. But for now, that is not up and running.

I think there are certain circumstances where they do allow people to ship out western blots with certain permissions. I would recommend that you start by contacting the New York department of health and work your way through it with multiple people placing you on hold and transferring you. Allow a few hours to get it done.

I sure wish we could help more, they are being quite strict about the whole thing now, unfortunately.

Terri

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