Negative, Indeterminate, and Positive Herpes Tests?

[riverstyx]

I wrote on here before: I received an indetermiante Western Blot for HSV-2 at 18 months after my last sexual encounter (negative for HSV-1). We didn’t have sex, just heavy petting.

At 21 months post-“exposure,” I received a negative HerpeSelect Immunoblot for HSV-2 and HSV-1.

At 31 months, I received a positive HerpeSelect Immunoblot for HSV-2 (negative again for HSV-1).

I am getting the Western Blot again now and am waiting for the results.

I have not had any sexual contact with anyone since my last encounter 31 months ago.

The consensus seems to be that I do not have HSV-2. But I’m confused. I don’t understand why I keep tripping up the tests and getting a variety of positives, negatives, and indeterminates. What is really going on here?

[Terri Warren]

You are likely tripping the test with a cellular protein ( a protein is part of your normal body) that is a similar molecular weight as the HSV 2 antibody
I believe that the general recommendation would be to consider yourself negative after all this time. it is likely that your second western blot will also be indeterminate – let me know.

Terri

[riverstyx]

Is there any possible way to get genital HSV-2 other than sexual contact? When I say “sexual contact” I am including oral sex, vaginal and anal sex, heavy petting. Any other way to get genital HSV-2 that does not include sexual contact?

[Terri Warren]

No, not that I know about. HSV 2 is a sexually transmitted infection.
An indeterminate is a difficult thing to deal with, I know that.

Terri

[riverstyx]

Why after my indeterminate western blot would I get a negative herpeselect immunoblot at 21 months, only to get a positive herpeselect immunoblot 31 months later? What could possibly cause the test to fluctuate like that?

[Terri Warren]

Because the immunoblot is a terribly difficult test to read when it is on the edge of positive and negative. It detects a very tiny color change. We used to use it in our clinic as it is moderate complexity, not requiring a higher level certification and no expensive equipment but we soon found out those tiny differences made it very difficult to read and provided inconsistent results (like yours). We switched to the higher complexity ELISA IgG , bought an expensive machine and now know who the low positives specifically are and who needs confirmation with western blot.

Terri

[riverstyx]

Thanks Terri for your response. I just heard from the University of Washington Virology Lab that they have finished my test and the results are in. When I asked them when they would fax the results to Westover Heights, they said “by next Wednesday.” Next Wednesday!!! My anxiety is really high right now. Is there anyone I can speak to in the clinic who could kindly make a call to Washington Virology, get the results over the phone, and then phone me back to let me know what my results are?

[Terri Warren]

I don’t have a clue who you are and don’t want to know here. If you want to call my office and speak with our front desk, they will get the message to me.

Terri

[Terri Warren]

I did call and they said it was NOT done. And it won’t be ready for us until Monday or Tuesday. Please do not call them again. When the results are ready, I will share them with you.

[riverstyx]

OK, Terri, thanks for making the call for me. I’ll just wait it out until the results are ready.

[riverstyx]

Terri, I just had the clearest thought about an hour ago, and I’m gonna sleep like a baby because of it: there is no logically, mathematically, or physically possible way that I have genital herpes (HSV-2). None. Given my paltry sexual history, my lack of any sexual partners in recent years, the indeterminate western blot, the negative herpeselect immunoblot, it’s just not possible. The herpeselect immunoblot that was positive at 31 months was just a fluke. I haven’t had any new partners since and haven’t even kissed anyone, let alone had sex with them.

Otherwise, if the test were to come back positive, we would really be entering the Twilight Zone of medicine. To explain a positive western blot, we would have to surmise I got herpes from a toilet seat, or a door handle to a bathroom stall in a public restroom, or something along those lines. Obviously, that is all ridiculous and cannot and would not happen. If it did, then literally 70-80% of the population would have genital herpes.

I don’t have it. The high anxiety I was experiencing before was just the natural anxiety when you feel like you’re on the verge of getting your test results.

[Terri Warren]

I”m so glad you came to this on your own! Sometimes I can say something over and over and over in as many different ways as I can but when someone comes to this understanding on their own, it is far more powerful

Terri

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