new test results from genital herpes

[lapiislazuli]

Hello,

I was diagnosed with genital herpes by exam about 10 years ago. I was put on valtrex and have been on that on and off since then. Recently I decided to start taking it again but just to make sure I needed it, I had blood tests done as well. I probably started taking it just over 10 days before the lab testing. I know for a fact that my exposure to herpes would have been several decades ago. Since then I have not been with anyone who has it.

I got the test results today.

Herpes AB type 1 IGG – 0.43
Herpes AB type 2 IGG – 0.13

HSV 1 IgM screen – negative (negative)
HSV 2 IgM screen – negative (negative)

I don’t see how the valtrex could have affected the results, since I started it decades after when my exposure would have happened. I’ve seen that you say valtrex can lead to false negatives, but I don’t see how that could happen in my case.

Do you have any comments on the testing? thanks.

[Terri Warren]

What has your recurrence pattern been like over the years? Should I assume you’ve had no lab testing done until this testing was done to confirm the diagnosis? Have you ever in your life had a cold sore anywhere on your face or mouth?

Terri

[lapiislazuli]

Hello,

I don’t remember having a cold sore, although it’s possible I did. I had acne when I was younger so it’s possible I confused that with a cold sore.

I have never had any testing before this, just a visual exam about 10 years ago. That doctor is now retired. I started working with another doctor in the practice and wanted to confirm the diagnosis so I could be sure of what I’m dealing with.

My pattern is that I have low-level symptoms pretty often. Itching/burning, general discomfort, and often one or more bumps. The bumps are more like pimples than open sores, which I don’t think I’ve ever noticed. It is consistently as in almost always worse in the few days before I get my period, in fact that’s how I usually can tell my period is coming. My doctor believes I may have yeast infections. I have not been seen by a doctor since I got the results which is just today. thanks.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 6 months ago by lapiislazuli.

[Terri Warren]

Well, I am quite convinced that you don’t have HSV 2 by your test results. The screening test you had done for HSV 1 misses 25% of infections, compared to the gold standard, western blot. So there is always a chance you could have that. But that would not normally recur with any where near the frequency as the symptoms that you are reporting. So while you may have HSV 1 infection, I don’t believe that you have HSV 2 infection.

Terri

[lapiislazuli]

OK, thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.

[lapiislazuli]

I have one more question, please let me know if I need to start a new thread. I thought the IgG screening test for hsv-1 was about 91% accurate. I’m confused about the 75% number. thanks.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 6 months ago by lapiislazuli.

[Terri Warren]

A recent study that we have completed and whose results I will be presenting at a meeting in Australia next week found that compared to western blot, the gold standard, for HSV 1, the screening test missed about 25% of the HSV 1 infection that the western blot picked up. I suppose if you would like to be absolutely certain about your status you could do the western blot.

Terri

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