Possible HSV2 false positive?

[Ken1982]

Backstory: I am a male. In 11/2020 I was tested for HSV1 and HSV2 (full STD panel just as a check up). My HSV1 IgG, Type Spec was 1.12 and my HSV2 IgG, Type Spec was < 0.91.

I gave a male unprotected oral this past summer. The duration was about 3 minutes, he did not finish in my mouth or physically on me, he said he was clean and his genitals looked normal.

On 12/28/22 I gave another male unprotected oral. Same scenario as before. Verbalized he was clean, looked clean, did not finish in/on me, total ordeal was also about 3-4 minutes.

On 01/24/22 (4 weeks later) I went to a local urgent care for what I suspected was a UTI. At the time (and basically ever since 12/28) I have had no bumps, sores, lesions, bleeding, oozing, burning while peeing, etc. to my knowledge.

I told the Dr. My symptoms were frequent urination, some discomfort/aching deep in my urethra (almost towards what would be around the base of my penis) no burning while urinating, and my penis/uretra was occasionally sensitive or itchy around the “corona” or edge of the head of my penis. Other than that I have had some irritation in the crease between my genitals and thigh.

He conducted a urine culture through LabCorp which yielded a no growth result. And did a std panel through Innovative Genomics LLC. This was a urine only sample and it resulted in a negative on 10 different STD’s including HSV 1 and 2.

On 02/18 (7.5 weeks) I went back to Urgent Care after I realized the panel didn’t test for everything and I wanted to be thorough. This time they did a blood, urine, and oral swab through Labcorp, everything came back negative except HSV2.

HSV 1 IgG, Type Spec: <0.91
HSV 2 IgG, Type Spec: 2.70
HSV 2 IgG Supplemental Test: Negative

I have given my story, previous symptoms, and values. My symptoms started about 4 days before the first test and stopped about 4-5 days after.

The provider read the disclaimer about potential false postives. And to just redo in a month.

What are your thoughts?

[Terri Warren]

so if I understand your post correctly, you were the giver of oral sex to others but did not receive oral sex or have intercourse, is that correct?
So your penis was not exposed to someone else during these encounters, only your mouth? Please correct me if I’m wrong, but there is no reason why you would have an STI or UTI in your penis from these encounters.

Your 2.7 on the IgG test for HSV 2 with a negative supplemental is unlikely to reflect and HSV 2 infection. HOwever, it would be good to wait 10-12 weeks and retest as your testing was done a bit early for accuracy.

Terri

[Ken1982]

You are correct, my penis hasn’t been touched by anyone other than my wife, since we have been together. We have been together for about 10 years. I (very regrettably) cheated on her those 2 times. She is aware and we are successfully working through it and coming back together.

I will be following back up with them at the correct timing, if I receive another similar result, I will probably complete a WB.

But what would be you “medical expertise” prediction? Obviously no one truly knows without follow up testing.

[Terri Warren]

My medical opinion would be that you don’t have HSV 2 if you’ve never had intercourse with anyone other than your wife in your life and there are only these two incidents of giving oral sex to someone else.
That is just an opinion but worth a bit, I think

Terri

[Author]

Posts