Low HSV2 Result With Relatively Few Sexual Encounters

[angela891]

Hi Terri! Thank you for this forum. 30 yo female.

Below is a brief summary of this year, and my test results.

I had unprotected sex with 2 partners earlier this year (1 encounter with each person). My last encounter with each were the end of March, and the end of June, respectively.

In July, I got a full STD panel done. I tested negative for everything.

At the end of September, I performed oral on 1 person, and had unprotected sex with another (2 encounters).

I was retested 3 weeks later in October, with a value of 1.59 for HSV2.

I have asked my partners from September to get tested. One said he was negative, but I am doubtful and have not seen his results. He is the one I performed oral on. The other has not been tested yet.

I have 2 questions:
1. If my last sexual encounter was around September 25th, would a test performed on October 14th be a long enough window for something to show up?
2. Should I get a Western Blot, and what is the cost?

Thank you!

[Terri Warren]

Well, it is possible yes, that a new infection would show up in an October blood draw. When you said you were tested for everything before, have you seen the results to know that herpes was included in the testing? This could also be a false positive, as low as it is. A western blot would definitely help but this is too soon to do it. You need to wait 16 weeks from the most recent encounter. That’s a ways off. You might want to consider getting another screening IgG test about 12 weeks out and see if the value is going way higher or is staying about the same. If it is way higher, like >5, you won’t need a western blot But if it stays low, I would recommend it, yes.

Terri

[angela891]

Thank you for your helpful reply!
Yes, I was tested in July for HSV1 and HSV2, and both came back negative.
Would you please let me know how to arrange for a Western Blot in Dallas?
My insurance does not cover my STD panels, and I’d rather go for the Western Blot now since it’s been about 16 weeks since my last encounter.

[Terri Warren]

So Angela, the ordering of the western blot has changed at our clinic. Now, if you want a western blot, you need to be part of a research study. The study is starting next week. We will send you a consent and you can sign it remotely where you live, instructions would be included. We will have a phone consenting discussion and then we can order the blot as part of the study. The study purpose is to compare results of the western blot to the results of an ELISA test, the regular screening test. Nothing has really changed except that structure under which we order the test. It has to do with Oregon laws and we do want to comply. Anyway, long story short, we can order it under these circumstances. The study will start next week, we believe.

Terri

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