Questions regarding hsv-2 testing accuracy

[Mundomedicina]

Hi Terri,
I would like to clear up some concerns I have regarding hsv-2 igg testing. I would like to ask all three of my questions here.
1.) my partner had a botched plastic surgery in which the surgeon removed her lymph nodes in her armpits (both sides I believe). Would this affect anibody production for hsv-2 and her test result accuracy? I doubt it because there are other lymph nodes in the body but I wanna just make sure of this.

-my partner had a test done at north shore LIJ in Long Island, and their labs website says that they do herpeselect Elisa testing. The result said she was negative for hsv-2 antibodies (0.11) and this is 14 weeks after her last exposure, which was with someone else.

The test did not say the words “type specific”, as her previous labcorp test did. It just said “hsv-2 an interp”. I will attach a pic. Can I assume this was a type specific test and not a combined igg or reflex test? I looked at the herpeselect products on focus Dx’s site, and i don’t see that they make a combined text so I’m assuming it was type specific.

-my final question is relating to me. My last unprotected exposure with her was on 5/25 of this year, and on 6/22 I noticed a patch of skin under the head of my penis that was red and shiny (looked like an abrasion, some layers of skin missing).

I had already been paranoid about hsv and was on the lookout for symptoms at this time, and this just happened to appear the same day that I masturbated without any lube.. So I attributed it to that. It was pink and healing within two days. This showed up 4 weeks post exposure, should I be concerned about this assuming my partners 14 week low negative result was accurate?

Thanks

[Terri Warren]

It does look like the antibody was type specific yes. At 14 weeks, the test is very accurate for HSV 2. The lack of those lymph nodes does not impact her ability to make antibody, no. Normally new herpes would not look like a shiny area on the penis, it would look like small water blisters.

Terri

[Mundomedicina]

Ok thanks a lot!

So there’s no possible way for the lymph node situation to create false negatives on an igg test? Can you please (as briefly and simply as you can) tell me why lymph node removal wouldn’t affect antibody production? I would really appreciate it because my mind keeps looking for any possible way for her test to not be accurate. I read that the lymphatic system is directly involved with the production of antibodies, and I was going insane researching possible effects that removal would have.
Thanks so much

[Terri Warren]

There are many parts to the immune system – antibody is only one. Antibody is produced by plasma cells and it works with T cells and antigens of herpes to make herpes antibody.

Why are you so adamant that she has been infected by just isn’t making antibody?

Terri

[Mundomedicina]

Im just really paranoid and when I read that the lymphatic system has something to do with antibodies, that’s the first thing that came to mind.

I read a post by Dr HHH that said an igg score at 11 weeks that was in the process of becoming a true positive would be at least in the low positive range by week 11. I attached it.

Considering my partner is a very low negative at 14 weeks (0.11), would it be safe to say she’s in the clear? She also just got another igg test today, which is over 16 weeks since her last encounter with the other guy (which was protected). We have only had two or three unprotected encounters together. Given that red abrasion thing I had, do you see any reason for me to worry or get tested or can I move past this? It was healing and just pink skin within two days and I’ve read herpes takes a minimum of 7 days to heal. I have had no other partners or symptoms.

[Terri Warren]

I also think that if she is at 0.11 at 14 weeks, she is extremely unlikely to change into the positive range. I think you can take this off your plate of worries. My guess is that she will be happy to have you do that.

terri

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