My Western Blot experience: high positive IgG result for HSV2, negative WB

[Stheffie]

Hi all! I recently just finished the process of obtaining the Western Blot (WB) test, and I came back here to share my experience.

I first took a 10-panel STD test from STDCheck back in January (early January specifically, at Quest Diagnostics). I had gotten STD tested before, but the common test doesn’t check for herpes, and since I had never had symptoms (not even a cold sore) in my life, I didn’t think to request a test for it. I had recently started talking to someone new and they asked me to get checked (and I was interested in getting checked for myself anyway), and I honestly didn’t think anything of it. A few days later on Jan. 5th, I logged into the Quest portal, and saw I had tested positive for both types of herpes:

HSV1: 3.00 IgG
HSV2: 5.86 IgG

I honestly freaked out. I knew nothing about herpes and I wasn’t mentally prepared to handle the news. All I knew was that my numbers were considered “high,” and that I more than likely did have it. I spent the next few weeks obsessively researching, and many people directed me to Terri’s forum here. I found that while mostly accurate, IgG tests did have issues, and I wanted to be certain that my result was accurate.

I told all of my past partners and their tests kept coming back negative, one by one. I honestly was beginning to accept my positive results as I consider myself “high risk” since I have been with quite a few people, but I went ahead with the WB anyway. The test from the University of Washington came very quickly, and I ordered it prior to my consultation with Terri just for the sake of time. I’m based in New York so I had to drive 2+ hours to Pennsylvania for the blood draw, but once there it was very fast, and thankfully the phlebotomist knew exactly what the test was.

I received my WB blot results about two weeks later, and, to my surprise, I was negative for both HSV1 and 2, despite my index ranges. I wanted to share my story to encourage people to get the WB if possible, if they’re unsure.

[Terri Warren]

Thank you so much for taking the time to post your results here. I hope this gives hope to those who test positive on the IgG tests who have no symptoms. These tests are very poor and have both false positives and false negatives, both of which can have follow up problems. Your post is greatly appreciated! Others can post follow ups here as well if they wish

Terri

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