Is there a chance my test is a false positive?

[Anon2113]

I had a HSV 1 AND 2 TYPE SPECIFIC AB blood test done from Quest Diagnostics and both my results returned positive. HSV 1 returned 1.83 and HSV 2 returned 1.15. I recently had sex for the first time in over 7 years about a month and a half ago. Never had any symptoms nor cold sores in those 7 years nor do I now. I did have shingles in 2020. What is the probability these results are a false positive? Did the shingles possibly elevate my test to a false positive? Thank you so much for your time.

[Terri Warren]

We don’t now how having shingles impact the HSV IgG test, but for you, both values are low enough to be considered possible false positives.

Terri

[Anon2113]

Thank you Terri for your response. I retested and my new results are as such:

HSV 1 IGG, TYPE SPECIFIC AB — <0.90
HSV 2 IGG, TYPE SPECIFIC AB — 0.91 H

The levels lowered quite a bit on the repeat test. The HSV 2 is now registering as “Unequivocal.” Based on the information I supplied with you in my initial post, and this follow up test; What is the probability of having HSV 2 with these newer results based on your experience?

Thank you for your time.

[Terri Warren]

I think the possibility of you have HSV 2 is quite low now, as it was before. I would say there is a 95% chance you don’t have HSV 2, based on all your numbers.

Terri

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