M(27) Positive HSV1 IGG Blood Test after exposure

[MauriceK94]

Hello.

So I was recently exposed to HSV (Not sure if it is 1 or 2) by a recent sex partner. She got tested after our last encounter and asked for full screening when they told her she has herpes. She notified me and I just got my results back today from the IGG blood test and my index value is 1.67 for HSV1. So far I have had no symptoms.

Date of exposure: 9/14/2021

Question:

How long does herpes have to be in the blood to show up on an IGG test?

Should I get the Western Blot test now or wait 12 full weeks after my last exposure?

[MauriceK94]

Also, what are my chances that it is a false positive?

[Terri Warren]

Antibody to HSV 1 or 2 can show up as early as 10 days after infection and by three weeks out, 50% of those who are going to be positive, will be positive.
I don’t know how long before you had your antibody test you had the contact, but I would recommend repeating the test when you are about 6-8 weeks out and see if the value is remaining approximately the same. If it does, when 12 weeks have passed since the encounter, you should do the western blot.
If it stays the way it is, there is probably about an 80% chance that this is a false positive.
Terri

[Author]

Posts