Possible False Positive?

[dl1001]

Hello Terri,

I have been reading this forum since I was diagnosed last Thursday with HSV-1 and HSV-2 and am wondering if I might have a false positive and need the Western Blot test.

I went to a new PCP last week for a physical and they asked if I wanted an STD check as well. I agreed, but what they did not tell me is that they would also test for HSV 1/2. I have always had symptoms of HSV-1 (cold sores) but have never had HSV-2 symptoms that I am aware of. I did not want a HSV test but nonetheless they gave me one and it was through Labcorp. Here were my results:

HSV-1: 28.8
HSV-2: 1.15
Supplemental: Positive

Obviously, once I saw the HSV-2 results I was devastated and am trying to make sense of what I learned. I then found this forum and came here to ask a few questions:
1) Do you think this has the possibility of being a false positive
2) Do you think that my HSV-1 result could have “spilled over” into the HSV-2 results, since HSV-1 was so much higher
3) Do you think I need the Western Blot Test

For a little more information, I have not had sex in over 3 months but before that I was with my long term ex-girlfriend, where we had unprotected sex about once a month for around a year. She is negative for HSV-1 and HSV-2. In the past 8 years, I have had a mix of protected and unprotected sex as well as unprotected oral. Knowing all of this, do you think that this still might be a false positive?

Thank you

[Terri Warren]

1) Do you think this has the possibility of being a false positive
Absolutely, a very high chance of a false positive!

2) Do you think that my HSV-1 result could have “spilled over” into the HSV-2 results, since HSV-1 was so much higher
Yes!

3) Do you think I need the Western Blot Test
Definitely

For a little more information, I have not had sex in over 3 months but before that I was with my long term ex-girlfriend, where we had unprotected sex about once a month for around a year. She is negative for HSV-1 and HSV-2. In the past 8 years, I have had a mix of protected and unprotected sex as well as unprotected oral. Knowing all of this, do you think that this still might be a false positive?
Yes, but you should wait 12 weeks from any concerning encounter to do the western blot for greatest clarity and accuracy.

Terri

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