Partners HSV1 Pos, and Indeterminate

[hsvindeter]

Starting in February/March, I discovered I was HSV1 Positive, but have no known history of breakouts, or symptoms. I got this testing in preparation for entering into a new relationship. So, HSV1 igg was inconclusive for me, Western Blot was positive for HSV1, neg for HSV2.

I disclosed to my partner in March. We agreed to take things slow until she knew her status. No kissing, no sex, no genital touching, just holding hands, some massages.

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She got her Western Blot done (at the advice of Terri Warren to just skip the igg) in April and HSV1 came back inconclusive (!). HSV2 was negative. the report she got emailed looked like this:

Your western blot results came back today. Your HSV 2 is negative and your HSV 1 is indeterminate. That means that can’t say for sure if you have HSV 1 or not. If your last possible infection date is less than 4 months ago, I would recommend retesting six months from your first test, if you want to know for sure about your HSV 1 status. If you had not had sex for six months prior to this test, then we would interpret your result as actually being negative.
If you have other questions, I would be happy to set up a phone consultation with you again.

Warmly,
Terri
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Since HSV1 is not strictly sexually transmitted, I’m perplexed as to why the comment was made about ‘sex for six months’ prior to the test was made. In reality, she had made out with someone in December, and had some physical contact with me in March.

So to recap:
12/2015 (kissing/made out with someone – their status unknown)
3/2015 (with me, but very little contact)
4/2015 – Western Blot inconclusive

One additional piece of information that might be useful – She is on immuno-suppresants for Crohn’s, and recently had bloodwork showing they’re “working”, whereas her WBC was very very low. Would immuno-suppresants conflict with the testing, and her antibodies since that’s what you’re looking for with this test (I think?).

Thanks for your time!

[Terri Warren]

Yes, you are right of course. Kissing too, not just sex. Thanks for clarifying that.
We are unsure about how an immunocompromised person does on herpes testing vs. one who is not. That is a conversation we’ve had as experts. My feeling is that is she has very very low WBC’s then it is possible that her immune system might not be able to mount a fully effective antibody response.

Sorry about the kissing thing, glad you sought clarification.

Terri

[hsvindeter]

Did you mean that is -not- a conversation you’ve had as experts?

So given she’s had exposure in in December, and April (but not sex), she should get re-tested?

[Terri Warren]

No, this IS a conversation we’ve had as experts. And none of us know for sure.
She could test again, yes, but I would wait until August. She also qualified for a study we are doing of a new test for people who have indeterminate western blots. She would not find out the results from that new test but she would be contributing to the broader science of herpes. She could contact Rene or Basak in our office about the SIU study. It involves a single blood draw at a location in her area.

Terri

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