Is the Western Blot for me?

[wellnessguide4u]

Hello Terri,
I’m writing to see if the Western Blot is for me. I am 55, new to the dating scene after a 25 year marriage. In the 3 years since my divorce, I have had a total of 6 partners, 3 I have had intercourse with, 2 protected, a regular partner for over a sporadically for over a year, unprotected. Last time was on 6/25/18. 3 others oral. The 3rd week of August, I noticed a bump on my outer vulva, it was not painful, and assumed it was an ingrown hair as I do waxing now and then. I treated with Retin-A, per some research. It seemed to respond, and then on one application got some of the gel on my inner vulva area which was irritating. I noticed another area come up that appeared the same, looked like a pimple with pus at the top. I thought maybe it was folliculitis. I saw my gyn within a day. Upon my exam, the NP visually diagnosed me with probable genital herpes. She did a vaginal culture and it was negative, she ordered labs for IGM and IGG HSV 1 and 2. My IGM was negative for both. My IGM was HSV-1 = 37.10, HSV-2 = 3.29. I was put on Valtrex and seemed to experience a lot of side effects. Feeling unsure about what was going on with me, I decided to seek out assistance from an infectious disease specialist. The ID doctor was suspicious that the “breakout” may not have been herpes related. She instructed me to stop taking Valtrex, see what happens and if I get another lesion have her culture and do a PCR test. Oddly, she was not familiar with the Western Blot test. I was not surprised to see the HSV 1 reading, as my husband of 25 years had cold sores since we met, he tried to be as careful as possible, I have never had a cold sore or any other symptoms like I did three weeks ago. I am reading that lower HSV readings under 3.5 can be false positive and I wondering if you think it might be worth an investment to know for sure if I have genital herpes HSV2 or not. I’m hearing stories of people wrongly diagnosed for 20 years. I’d like to be sure. Thank you! Chris

[wellnessguide4u]

I need to correct my post. My IGG HSV-1 was 37.10, and IGG HSV – 2 was 3.29. Both IGM tests for 1 and 2 were negative. Sorry for the error.

[Terri Warren]

The Center for disease control recommends that anyone who tests positive on the IgG test for HSV 2 with an index value between 1.1 and 3.5 needs a confirmatory test. You definitely fall into that category. Do you know if the swab test that was done on your lesion was a PCR or a culture? The PCR is far more sensitive Dan the culture. I think it is essential that you obtain this excellent confirmatory test. You can work with your own provider to do this if you wish and they are willing or I can be the ordering clinician for you. If you want to do it through me, you need to set up a video consult on the homepage of this website. I do them on Tuesdays. the IGM test is useless and should not have been ordered per the Centers for Disease Control recommendations. Please let me know if I can be of more help

Terri

[wellnessguide4u]

Thank you Terri!
I don’t believe my gyn did a PCR, just a culture. My ID doctor agrees with you the PCR is the best test for lesions and should have been done. If I get any lesions again I will be seeing her to make sure the correct test is done. I will try and coordinate with my providers locally for the Western Blot, and if they can’t help me get this test, I will reach out to you. It’s been almost 16 weeks since my last sexual encounter, so from what I’m reading on other posts this is enough time for the Western Blot to be done correct?

Thank you again so much for what you are doing here through this forum to help

[Terri Warren]

Yes, you have waited long enough for an accurate result on the Western blot If you are unable to get this test through your local providers I would be happy to help you

Terri.

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