Negative PCR positive blood

[Confused1884]

I have never had an outbreak. I went to the doctor for small sores on my vagina. He told me it was herpes. He did a herpes simplex virus PCR swab test which came back negative. His office could not tell me the type of blood test that was done but my results were type 1 2.70 igG and type 2 0.06 igG. The reference range on my results said <=.09. I read that to be positive type 1 but negative type 2. However the doctor insisted I am positive for type 1 and 2!?!

In my research, I found your site. When I questioned him, he just disregarded my concerns and stated cultures can be wrong but blood tests are definite. I’m not very happy with his care! He also did IgM tests which were type 1 1:40 and type 2 1:20 with reference <1:20. Again he insisted both numbers are definitely positive and this is a new infection. I know from my research that the IgM tests are not accurate.

I have been with the same man for 5 years. Neither of us has cheated. While I do understand most people do not have symptoms, I find it hard to believe I would just now be infected with herpes. My outbreak was small blisters. I did not have flu symptoms or swollen lymph nodes. The culture was taken easily within the 48 hr window.

What farther testing would you recommend? Other than a new doctor because he doesn’t think I need more testing! My husband has never had sores or anything resembling an outbreak and we have unprotected sex so what would I consider my first exposure for testing?

[Terri Warren]

Well, yes, I would agree that a doctor who can correctly interpret lab tests would be useful. If you have no concerns about your husband having other partners and you know that you have not had other partners, then retesting is not going to be helpful at all because nothing has changed. Now the exception would be if your husband has had herpes for a long time and didn’t know it and just infected you. Has he been tested? If not, that might be a good idea. If he is HSV 2 positive, then retesting would be in order for you.

One possibility is that you have HSV 1 genitally. Have you ever in your life had a cold sore on your lip? If yes, then it is very unlikely that this would be new HSV 1 genitally.

Another possibility of course is that the blisters are not herpes. It was good that he did a PCR rather than a culture. Frankly, I’m surprised!

You are correct that IgM tests are useless.

So my recommendation is 1) get your husband tested for HSV 2. If he is negative, you can take this off your list
2) If you get this again, have another PCR done to see if you might have HSV 1 genitally.
3) don’t change anything about your sexual relationship at this point – no need.
You have two more posts for me if you have more questions.

Terri

[Confused1884]

Thanks for your answer. Funny how one thing can make a person reconsider.

My husband has never had a breakout. Unless he did and he blew it off as an ingrown hair. He doesn’t want to be tested. since I haven’t been with anyone else in the last 5 years, what time should I be retested? What would be considered a first exposure for me? What tests would you recommend I take?

I have not had a cold sore in the last 10 years. I can’t say for a fact that I never have had a cold sore. My mother will get a cold sore once in a blue moon.mmi easily could have been exposed by her as a child.

[Terri Warren]

You are positive for HSV 1 but we have no idea where your HSV 1 infection is since your PCR was positive. Most HSV 1 is oral, not genital but it could be either. If neither you nor your husband have had any other partners in 5 years, there is simply no need to do anything different or test for anything else.

I don’t think you need retesting at all. You are HSV 1 positive, period. There are no other tests that you need to take.

If you can’t know if you have ever had a cold sore, then it is possible that the genital sores were herpes, but it is also possible they were not. No way to know for certain, but if you get another lesion, you might want to get it tested right away.

Terri

[Confused1884]

I’m assuming you meant the PCR was negative (since it was) that we dont know where the HSV 1 infection is?

Thank you for your help! I certainly appreciate your candor.

At this point I am going to try to stop worrying. And test again if I get another lesion. Now I have to stop panicking with every ingrown hair! Ugh! Lol

Happy Holidays

[Terri Warren]

Yes, that’s exactly what I meant. So if you get another lesion, get it swabbed immediately – don’t wait because the longer you wait, the less virus will be in the lesion.

Yes, try to be aware but not obsessed. Probably easier to say than do, but give it a try.

We’ve now exhausted our three questions, but if others come up you can always renew your subscription

terri

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