Question regarding my HSV 1 diagnosis

[Charlee223]

I recently had an appointment with my gynecologist and took the routine test. I tested positive for Chlamydia (i regularly get tested so we know I was infected for no longer than 4 months). However, after testing positive I was sent to get all other test done by blood at Quest. HSV 1 (oral herpes) came back positive, the number was 18.80. I am 20, only had 1 sexual partner this far, i can count on my hand the people I’ve kissed in the past, and I began having sex a little over a year ago. I am so confused. I’ve never had any of the symptoms, not even a cold sore. I can’t help but to think this test was a false positive. Can there be other issues that caused the test to come back positive? Does how high the number was on the test tell you anything? I am just not sure what to do and online information is making me more on edge.

Thank you in advance.

[Terri Warren]

No this is not a false positive. Everyone in our study who tested at a value greater than 3, confirmed with the western blot.
This number simply tells you that you were not recently infected. You could have been infected as a child with an adult kissing you with a cold sore and you don’t recall the incident or acquired HSV 1 without symptoms.
When were you were sexually active, did your partner give you oral sex? You also could have acquired HSV 1 genitally.
About half the population has HSV 1 infection so you are definitely not alone

Terri

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