Should I get the Western Blot, and what’s the process?

[rockyroads]

Good Evening,

Just to give a little background, on February 1st, 2023 I received an STD test from Labcorp. I tested negative for everything except for HSV-2. Overall my results were:

HSV-1: <0.91 (Negative)
HSV-2: 0.96 (equivocal)
HSV-2 IGG supplemental test: positive.

On February 4th, 2023 I received the HSV Type Specific Immunoblot Labcorp test and the results were:

HSV-1 IGG Antibody: Positive
HSV-2 IGG Antibody: Positive

My last exposure at the time would’ve been in Mid-December 2022, so I decided to recently get retested on August 30th, 2023 and my results were:

HSV-1: <0.91 (Negative)
HSV-2: 2.42 (Positive)

My questions at this time are the following:

Should I assume I have HSV-1 and HSV-2 since the immunoblot test came out as positive for both? I guess at this point, I’m having a hard time figuring out if I have HSV-1.

Is it 100% certain I have HSV-2? I’ve never had any symptoms in my genitals, but I have however had cold sores on my lips rarely throughout my life.

Is it worth it to get a western blot in my specific case? Or based on my test results so far, does it seem like the Western Blot will give me the same answers as my previous tests?

If I should get the western blot, can you please help me with the process of ordering it? I’m really not sure what steps I should take at this point.

I appreciate all the help and this forum has been great for me to read and help educate myself. Thank you!

[Terri Warren]

I would NOT assume you have HSV 2, based on the immunoblot – it has a high rate of false positives, just like the IgG test. You definitely need a western blot, based on the CDC guidance, and I can certainly help you. Just sign up for an evisit on this website – follow the link to “get a western blot. We’ll figure it out. Order the test kit now from the University of Washington – 206-685-6066

Terri

[rockyroads]

Terri,

I appreciate the quick response. I just scheduled my evisit with you. I was wondering what the process was to go through you as a clinician to order the Western Blot was?

Also, since I’ve tested positive/equivocal on 4 tests since February, is that a strong indicator of what the results of the Western Blot will be?

[Terri Warren]

I believe we’ve spoken now,yes?

Terri

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