Partner tested twice HSV 2 Ab IgG

[kelley0406]

My boyfriend has never had any signs or symptoms of HSV 2. I asked him, out of precaution to get tested. He got tested at Quest Labs for the Herpes Simplex 1 & 2 Exposure Screen, the self pay option without a doctor’s order. I have tested negative 3 times, before we started dating 6 months ago, during dating and after his first positive result.

His doctor’s PA said “One positive is a positive take Valtrex or use condoms.” I ordered the second test, per my gyno’s instructions as she told me with low index values false positives are common.

Results on 3/3/2022-

Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Ab IgG – Normal <.90
Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Ab IgG – HIGH 1.26

Results on 4/6/22 –
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Ab IgG – Normal <.90
Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Ab IgG – HIGH 0.96

Why was there a change in index values? He took one pill of Valtrex 500 mg on 3/24/2022, which made him vomit.

Should he get a confirmatory Western Blot? Should he start taking Valtrex prior to the Western Blot? Does a low index value mean risk of transmission is low? I am very concerned and do not want to risk him transmitting it to me.

Thank you for your time!

[Terri Warren]

If he wants to be clear about his HSV 2 status, a western blot is preferred, yes. Probably best not to take Valtrex prior to testing particularly is he might have a new infection. If you are continuing to have sex with him while waiting for the blot results, he should use condoms 100% of the time.

The index value can be a false positive or a recent infection or just an old infection with a low value. This number has nothing to do with the likelihood of transmission. And at this very low value, it is highly likely that this is a false positive – probably 90%.

The link to getting a western blot is here on our website or he can certainly work with the University of Washington and his own health care provider to get this test – both work.

Terri

• This reply was modified 11 months, 2 weeks ago by Terri Warren.

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