HSV1 IgG 1.22

[Hopeless2023]

Hi Terri,

I tested positive for HSV1 IgG. I’m not sure if it’s oral or genital in origin since I have never noticed any lesions.

The lab commented on my result stating that since it’s less than 3, a Western Blot is recommended because results less than 3 have poor specificity.

Can you explain what does poor specificity mean? Could I possibly have a false positive result?

Do you recommend that I proceed with a western blot?

[Terri Warren]

I do recommend the western blot!
Specificity refers to this: if the test is positive, how likely is it that the positive actually represents an infection with HSV 1 vs. picking up something else and calling it HSV. does that make sense?

What lab recommended the blot, if I may ask?

Terri

[Hopeless2023]

Terri,

What is the significance of the value of 1.22? What are the chances that it’s a false positive?

The University health system recommended the blot.

[Terri Warren]

There is no particular significance to this index value except that it is low and could be a false positive. While we have percentages of confirmation, based on index value for HSV 2, we don’t have the same for HSV 1. But I have definitely seen false positives on low positive HSV 1 index values.

Terri

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