HSV2 diagnosis when positive for mono

[Singing in the shower]

I’m a 21 female. Have only had sex a few times and always with a condom. End of January I contracted Mono. couple of weeks later I had sex with a condom. shortly after I noticed some bumps on my buttocks and then a couple on my vagina. Went to a local clinic where they did a IgG and IgM test. The tests returned
HSV1 IgG =.15, HSV2 IgG= .22 The IgM HSV1/2=1.31

2 weeks later I retested as follows
HSV1 IgG =.29, HSV2 IgG= 1.83

the PA suggested we do a swab of the lesions to send for a culture and typing . few days later the report came back and it said
“Positive for Herpes simplex type -2. Typing was confirmed by Monoclonal antibody Microscopic immunofluorescence.”

I have read that vaginal lesions can be consistent with EBV and even with mono. and that being positive with mono could return a false positive antibody test.

My questions are:
What kind of test is this immunofluorescence test and is it reliable for HSV2?

Can having Mono at the same time as this test yield a false positive since the test is looking for antibodies which I have due to the Mono?

Should I test for EBV?

If you think I should do any further tests, Western Blot or other, how long should I wait?
Thanks

[Terri Warren]

A positive swab test that is also typed in positive for HSV two is very likely correct and does not need further diagnosis. The swab testing would not confuse the Epstein-Barr virus with the herpes Simplex virus. In addition, you went from a negative IgG test for HSV two to a positive IgG test for HSV two.
Was all of your genital to genital contact with this individual covered by a condom? Has that partner been tested for HSV two? If you want to do a western blot as confirmation, you would wait 12 weeks from the date of the encounter with this person

terri

[Singing in the shower]

Was all of your genital to genital contact with this individual covered by a condom? yes
Has that partner been tested for HSV two? not yet

Confused. in that the IgG is low. Yes? can’t be false positive? You are saying testing WHILE having been positive for mono makes no difference? can you explain? Is it true these lesions could be consistent with Mono?

How effective is the immunoflouresence test?

[Terri Warren]

I am also confused if you have only in your entire life had intercourse with a condom. But normally, a positive swab FROM A LESION is accurate.
You’re being distracted by the mono issue – it is not at play here with the positive swab. Forget the concurrent mono. You have a low positive HSV 2 antibody test and a positive swab test for HSV 2. I think, however, it happened, that you are infected with HSV 2 but you could do the western blot for greater certainty

Terri

[Singing in the shower]

I understand. can you tell me about the immunofluorescence test? how reliable is it?

[Terri Warren]

It is reliable. It looks for the virus itself and types it. It is, in this context anyway, not an antibody test.
If you are still questioning this result, and I can see why you would, you might want to do the western blot down the road.
Terri

[Author]

Posts