Is my IGG year wrong?

[Curious2018]

Hi Terri,

Just a short recap.

Was intimate with a guy in July 2017. No sex but our private areas definitely touched. No protection. I gave oral. Maybe a month later got a view pimples in my pubic region above the vagina. Went to the dr. She swabbed (negative) and said it didn’t look like herpes, but some type of infection. No clue if she knew what she was talking about. Also had IGG test for HSV 1 & 2 (negative). Wasn’t convinced so I had another 4 months past possible exposure. Negative again. Had another at 6 months post possible exposure and levels still read the same. Always reading <0.90 for every test I’ve had done. For about 2 weeks I’ve been having random leg sensations. Not painful at all. A little lower back pain and some random pains all over the body. Not bad at all but has been noticeable. Some red bumps here and there but have always gotten them after shaving so that doesn’t appear strange to me. I’ve also been under an extreme amount of stress due to my personal life.

I’m having another IGG test done today, so that will make about 8 months post exposure. I have a boyfriend and just need to know an answer to all of this. What are your thoughts on my status? I’m considering western blot if this comes out negative again.

Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks so much, Terri!

[Curious2018]

Sorry for all of the typos 😣

[Terri Warren]

There is a 70% chance that the HSV ! test didn’t miss an infection and a 92% chance it didn’t miss an HSV 2 infection. So those are the numbers – now you just have to decide if you can live with those numbers or you want more certainty which the western blot would give you. The risk of transmssion is markedly less if you don’t have intercourse but only genital to genital rubbing but it is not zero.

Terri

[Curious2018]

Thanks, Terri.

A random question. I happened to be on antibiotics when I had the IGG test done at 6 months. Do you think that could have interfered with the results in any way?

[Curious2018]

Update: I got another set of IGG results back today. Negative for HSV 1 & 2. They are both reading at <0.10 index. This is 8 months past possible exposure.

For some reason I thought it would be positive considering my symptoms but am a bit relieved.

I do plan on doing the western blot option once i get more money together. I am in the Houston area so should be pretty easy, correct?

But again i would like to know your opinion on my situation. I know there is still a chance. How often do you see the western blot come up positive in my situation?

[Curious2018]

I’ll be seeing my dr on Friday. Am i able to get her to send you a blood sample for western blot? Or what needs to be done?

Thank you!

[Terri Warren]

I seriously doubt that you have HSV 2 from this encounter. Nothing you have told me worries me. If you do the blot and are positive for HSV 1 you cannot know if this is oral or genital.
You need to send to UW for the kit – 206-685-6066 and then work with your doc to get the blood drawn and shipped.

Terri

[Curious2018]

Thank you so much.

I’m thinking there is a chance it could be HSV1.

If that’s the case, why do you think the IGG test isn’t able to pick up the antibodies?

[Terri Warren]

I’m not sure why you think you have HSV one genitally but I suppose it is remotely possible. The IgG test is simply flawed when looking for HSV one infection, compared to the gold standard Western blot. I don’t really know why the test is flawed in this area

This is your final post on this subscription. If you have more questions, feel free to renew

Terri

[Curious2018]

Thanks, Terri.

Not sure why I suggest HSV1. I guess I’m just at a loss of the random symptoms I’ve had but still continue to get negative IGG tests. However, I went ahead and went with the western blot and I had it sent today via fedex overnight. My doctor seems to think I’m crazy, but it seems most doctors don’t really know much about HSV.

Recently, I’ve had a few pimples appear on my buttocks. And a few on my leg above my knee that you can barely see. I must mention though that it’s very hot here and I’ve always dealt with breakouts on my butt during the summer. None of these have ever itched or hurt and they are very small. They never blister. They just go away within a few days. This has been happening on and off for the past month. The only reason i even notice because I’m constantly looking for any sign. The fact that they never itch, feel tender, or blister – would that be uncommon if it were herpes lesions? I know I should get definite results in a few weeks but would love to know your thoughts in the mean time.

Thanks so much!

[Terri Warren]

The pimples that you describe sound nothing like herpes to me.
So here’s the deal – if you are positive for HSV 1, you cannot know if your infection is oral or genital without a lesion, right?

Terri

[Curious2018]

Hi Terri,

I got the western blot results back and they are negative! It was 9-10 months past possible exposure. I was so happy that I cried when the doctor called.

But now something has changed in the last few days. I’m having constant back pain, and burning near the tail bone. My buttocks continues to break out. The smallest tiniest little pimple things. No pain. No itching. Only notice because I look. I have continued to take valtrex daily just to be on the safe side(didn’t start taking until after blood work for western blot) and it doesn’t seem to make a difference at all.

1. Do you recommend a swab? Or should I move on from this because of the negative western blot?
2. How often have you seen people actually be positive after a negative western blot 9 months after possible exposure?

Thank you.

[Terri Warren]

Your symptoms sound absolutely nothing like herpes to me. I do not recommend a swab. You need to move on – you are not infected.

Terri

[Curious2018]

Hi Terri,

I still am feeling suspected prodome and breakouts on my butt. They’re getting pretty bad. I’m just having a hard time letting this go because something isn’t right with my body. But I’ve been thinking about something and wanted your opinion.

1 – I’ve been on synthroid for a low thyroid for about 15 years. Could this possibly skew the results from my IGG test and western blot giving me a false negative?

2 – Also, can being on antiviral affect the result of a PCR swab? And does university of Washington still send swab kits to be done at home?

[Terri Warren]

1. No
2. Yes, being on antivirals can impact both the IgG and swab test. UW does not send swab kits home and never have that I know about.
Terri

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