Is it possible to always test equivocal for HSV2 and not have the virus?

[Dana5989]

I recently started a new relationship and was asked to take an std screening. I was given an IgG test which came back equivocal with a reading of 96. The test was taking a long time to come back so I went to another lab a week or so later which also came back equivocal with a reading of 95. My last sexual encounter was with someone I had a previous monogamous relationship with and the sec occurred just over 3 months before my tests. I have never experienced any symptoms of herpes. My doctor is recommending that I test again in 30 days and says that even if third test is equivocal and value is the same or less then I am negative. Does that make sense?

[Terri Warren]

an equivocal result, taken 3 months after last concerning sexual encounter, probably represents a negative result. I’ve now had only three people with equivocal results who did the western blot be positive on the blot in 40 years of practice. So I think you are unlikely to be the 4th. I don’t see testing again is going to change anything in your situation.

Terri

[Dana5989]

Is it possible that the result means I am positive and didn’t know it and my numbers are lower now because a long time has passed? Or if you are positive are the numbers always over a certain number?

[Terri Warren]

As I said, it is possible that this represents a real infection but very unlikely. The longer the time that passes between infection and testing, the more likely it is that the number will go up, not down.

Terri

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