HSV2 igg progression and false negative

[Interested_talker321]

Hello,
I have a Q about doing the Western Blot Test. For context, I am a male and I think I may have caught HSV2 two years ago. I tested positive for HSV2 twice, one three months into thinking I was infected and one 2 years into it.

Both values below 3.5 igg. The first value was lower closer to 2.1 igg and the new value closer to 3.5 igg but not quite. My only symptoms were fatigue, muscle pain and tenderness in the groin. Cannot recall if lymph nodes were swollen or not (please comment if the swollen lymph nodes are a symptom). I read on the CDC that any value below 3.5igg is recommended to be redone via a confirmatory test.

Q are as follows:
– In order to manage expectations, can you tell me if my symptoms are related to HSV2?

– Can you tell me what is the average igg value 2 years in? For context, I have strong immunity and do take some proteins which I understand affect igg readings. My intake did not change to reflect the changes in the antibodies.

Thanks for your reply.

[Terri Warren]

– In order to manage expectations, can you tell me if my symptoms are related to HSV2?
They don’t sound related to me, no

– Can you tell me what is the average igg value 2 years in? For context, I have strong immunity and do take some proteins which I understand affect igg readings. My intake did not change to reflect the changes in the antibodies.

There really is no average, but most of the time, the number is about 3.5, but I have seen true positive at 1.1, this week as a matter of fact, so it does vary. And I’ve seen someone with an index value of 17 that did not confirm by western blot. It’s all over the place, honestly.

Terri

[Interested_talker321]

Hello,
Thanks for your reply.

Q1| Swollen Lymph Nodes:
A| Can you confirm if the swollen lymph nodes in the groin are a symptom?
B| Do these usually come alone as a symptom or is it sores/blisters followed by swollen lymph nodes (or vice versa: swollen lymph nodes then sores/blisters)?

I think there might be a misunderstanding regarding Q2 previously. You had answered the value at which most blood tests are true positive (3.5 igg). My question is regarding the build-up of antibodies 2 years in.

Q2| Antibodies Progression : What is the rough approximation of antibodies 3 months in to 2 years in.
A| So most people that test right away, what are their values at 3 months in
B| what are their values 2 years in.

Just trying to grasp this while antibodies thing. Thanks!

[Terri Warren]

Q1| Swollen Lymph Nodes:
A| Can you confirm if the swollen lymph nodes in the groin are a symptom?
They can be but so can an ingrown toenail cause groin nodes to increase in size.

B| Do these usually come alone as a symptom or is it sores/blisters followed by swollen lymph nodes (or vice versa: swollen lymph nodes then sores/blisters)?
With herpes, there are usually sores as well as lymph node enlargement.

Q2| Antibodies Progression : What is the rough approximation of antibodies 3 months in to 2 years in.
That’s the thing, it can be antibody is high at 3 months or high at 2 years or low at three months and still low at 2 years. It varies greatly from person to person.

A| So most people that test right away, what are their values at 3 months in
B| what are their values 2 years in.

Please see above. By three months, most people who have herpes will have a robust immune response, but that can vary with index values. You’re asking for something I don’t have a firm answer for.

Terri

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