Possible false positive?

[May542]

Hello,
Thank you for providing feedback on this site. I have a question-

I was recently diagnosed this summer (July) with HSV2 (my HSV1 test has consistently been negative.) I have not been active since then and don’t usually drink after other people or share utensils as personal preference. My last partner, who transmitted HSV2 to me, also tested negative for HSV1 around the time I did. I just got screened again for a full STD panel, and my results came back:
FHerpes I Ab.(IgG) 3.82
FHerpes II Ab.(IgG) 2.94

I’m surprised at the HSV1 results, because my last results were negative and I haven’t been intimate with anyone since my last partner (and again, don’t share utensils with others as a preference- not even family members.) Could the HSV1 possibly be a false positive? My physician didn’t call me after the diagnosis- I happened to see it when I got the prompt that I had new lab results in my chart. Also- as an artist, would this possibly mean I can’t pursue a career due to the possibility of intimate activity in performance (kissing, sharing drinking props, etc?)

[May542]

Also to specify- I’ve been on Valtrex since my initial HSV2 diagnosis (which happened through the 1st and only outbreak I had back in July from my partner- I went to my gyn to get swabbed. There were no numbers from that test, just that I was positive for HSV2 and negative for HSV1. I’d also gotten tested the month before in June with both tests coming back negative with numbers less than .90 from blood tests.)
I’m concerned about pursuing a career as a performer if I have to do scene work that requires intimacy.

[Terri Warren]

So just to be sure I understand completely: you had a swab test that was positive for HSV 2, not a blood test, correct?
The IgG test misses 30% of HSV 1 infections so either your HSV 1 is a false positive OR previous IgG tests missed the HSV 1 infection.
About half the population has HSV 1 infection so its difficult to imagine that this would change your career projectory.

Terri

[May542]

Yes- I had a swab test done in July and it was positive for HSV2 (no values, just positive.) I just recently had some lab work done in early Feb where I was tested for everything, and now all of a sudden the blood tests are saying I also have HSV1 (I’ve had about 3 previous blood tests for HSV1 this year and they all came out negative, and all of a sudden now it’s positive even though my last partner is positive for HSV2 (I got it from him) and negative for HSV1 and I haven’t been physical in any way with anyone since he and I broke up in Sept.) I was hoping it was a false positive, but the number is higher than my HSV2 number.

My dr says that HSV1 isn’t an STI and I don’t have to worry so much about it. Since I don’t get cold sores and I’m on Valtrex, does this mean I don’t have to disclose before kissing a new partner, even for the purposes of scene work? I’m confused and concerned about how all of this works (and am still in shock from trying to process the HSV 2 diagnosis I received a few months ago. It kind of feels like I’m stuck in a holding pattern.)

[Terri Warren]

The issue is likely with the poor performance of the HSV 1 IgG test. It misses 30% of HSV 1 infections compared to the gold standard western blot. I suspect that the test missed your infection earlier rather than you having a new infection, but we can’t be sure about that. What is the index value of your HSV 1 test?

Terri

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