Low Positive HSV 2

[anxiety123]

Hi,

I went for a regular checkup at my PCP on 11/24/2020. They took my blood and ran a STD panel (HSV included). When I got my results it said that my HSV1 IGG levels were 3.58 and my HSV2 IGG level was 1.47. I was shocked because I have never experienced any symptoms related to HSV either orally or on my genitals. I then scheduled an appointment with my OBGYN to ask more questions and to get retested because I was anxious. She said that I didn’t need to get retested because my initial results were positive but if I wanted to I could, so I did. This appointment was on 12/16/2020. When I got those results it said that my HSV 1 IGG level was 3.18 and my HSV 2 IGG level was 1.35. (I am not sure what lab they used for testing)
*Both the PCP and the OBGYN are part of the same hospital*

After research I learned that I fall within the low positive for HSV 2

My questions:
1. Is there a chance that my HSV 2 is a false positive? If so what is the chance of that?
2. Should I try the Western Blot test? If so, when should I do so?
3. Why did my IGG levels drop between my 2 tests?
4. My OBGYN stated that since my levels were low that might indicate that I potentially got infected this year. Is that true?
5. Can my HSV 1 also be a false positive? If so what is the chance of that?

The last time I had unprotected sex (male partner) was in May/June. The last time I had protected sex was in the beginning of December.

• This topic was modified 6 months, 4 weeks ago by anxiety123.

[anxiety123]

I am now thinking of possible symptoms that I may have. I will say that for the most part, these symptoms came after I received the results from my first test. Before my first results, I felt fine.

I sometimes feel like the lymph nodes in my throat are irritated. This comes and goes. I feel them swollen when I begin to overthink about this situation. (The reason I went to my PCP to begin with was because I felt a bump on the side of my neck. PCP said that it was a lymph node and it could’ve been swollen for any reason. That bump I felt has gone away.)

My skin has been itchier than usual. I see it more after my cat is in my bed, after washing my sheets it goes away. If it does come back without the cat having been on my sheets, I put lotion on and it goes away.I don’t get a rash. My skin just gets red. It is very possible that it is just dry skin. The itchiness is NOT on my vagina. I would get itchy on my thigh or sometimes my back. But again, that could be due to my skin being dry. What do you think?

I have felt a “feeling” in my vagina once in a while but it goes away and nothing happens after that. It doesn’t hurt at all. I’m not sure if it is a tingle or not but it is NOT a burning feeling, I think I would know if it burned. It doesn’t hurt by any means. But again, this only started to happen after I got my first results so maybe it’s in my head?

A few months ago when I got my period I was unusually fatigued. Would this be a symptom? After my period finished I felt fine and not fatigued. I haven’t felt fatigued since even during my period.

Sometimes when I wake up, I feel like I have a slightly sore throat, but it goes away.

I also do NOT have burning when I pee.
I do NOT have any lesions

The encounter that I am concerned about is the May/June encounter. I do not know their status.

*I am interested in the Western Blot Test. I set up a meeting with you on Tuesday. I also live in New York, what would the protocol be? I know NY is difficult with this

[Terri Warren]

I believe we talked on the phone about these questions, yes?

Terri

[anxiety123]

**UPDATE**

I ended up doing a Western Blot with Terri and my HSV 2 came back NEGATIVE ! My HSV 1 came back positive, but I understand more than half the population has it so I’m not as worried about that. It was a process to get everything together but well worth it. Here’s some background about me and the rest of my story. I hope it helps someone. (I know what it’s like to be reading every thread just looking for something to help you.)

I am a heterosexual female (26)
I live in NYC
Both of my parents were born in Jamaica. But I was born in America.
I never had chicken pox but I did get the vaccine as a child
As stated above, my first HSV index was as followed (HSV 1: 3.58; HSV 2: 1.47). After taking the test again my index was (HSV 1: 3.18; HSV 2:1.35)

As you can see I did fall within the low positive range for HSV 2. After research and speaking with Terri I learned that there was an 85% chance that my HSV 2 was a false positive. I ordered the Western Blot. I know people said it is difficult to find a lab to draw your blood in NYC and it is, but I found out that ENZO labs do it. I did have to ship it myself (which I was scared to do because I didn’t want to mess up.) The instructions given are VERY clear, so just make sure you are taking your time and reading carefully. I drew my blood on a Saturday and did overnight shipping the same day using UPS. Overnight shipping costed me around $90. I was scared to ship it also because I didn’t know if you were allowed to ship blood, but they took it. During this whole time from the first phone call I got from my doctor saying I was HSV 2 positive, I felt like every itch or bump, was HSV 2. I spent so much time using a mirror to look at my genitals to see if I could see any abnormal bumps or anything. It really took a toll on my psychologically.

I say all this to say.. If you test in the low positive range GET A WESTERN BLOT!!
Thank you Terri !

[unknown123]

Hey Anxiety123, im from nyc as well. May you please guide me towards the right direction for the blot.

[Terri Warren]

oh, I’m so pleased that you posted here. I so hope this will inspire people to confirm or not confirm low positives with the blot. BTW, just for the record, the state of NY doesn’t allow blood to be shipped out of state for testing but I know this person shipped from New Jersey, so no laws broken! Good job!

Terri

• This reply was modified 1 month ago by Terri Warren.

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