Should I retest or get Western Blot?

[plshelpmeunderstand]

I have had sexual relations outside of my marriage and wanted to get checked just to be safe. None of my partners have reported any herpes + tests or symptoms as I have contacted them and asked since getting these test results. I had a HSV 1/2 IGG, type specific AB Herpeselect test. My HSV 1 result was 3.61 and my HSV 2 is 1.96. The equivocal cutoff on both tests was .90-1.10. I have an appt with my family MD today and was wondering if I should request a retest or should I request the Western Blot test? AS far as I know, I have never had any HSV 2 symptoms and am unsure if I have had any HSV 1 symptoms. I also had a complete hysterectomy last year, I don’t know if that’s of any importance or not. Thank you for any guidance you can offer.

[Terri Warren]

When was your last sexual contact with someone other than your husband? The timing is extremely important here.

Terri

[plshelpmeunderstand]

14 days before the blood test.

[Terri Warren]

It can take up to 16 weeks for a herpes antibody test to become positive. If you have recently been infected, your HSV 2 screening test index value may be much higher. Have any of your partners been actually tested for HSV 2?

Terri

[plshelpmeunderstand]

Some have and some haven’t but are now because I have told them about my results. I guess what I’m trying to figure out is, with the results I have now, what I need to do to confirm the HSV2 results. I’m assuming the HSV1 results are probably a true positive though I don’t recall ever having those symptoms either. Should I wait until 16 weeks have passed to get re-tested or should I do something now? Also, provided I do have HSV2, can you tell me what the chance of me, not having any symptoms, infecting a partner who uses a condom?

I really do appreciate your helping me understand this 🙂

[Terri Warren]

Well you have a couple of options. You could do the western blot antibody test now and if it is positive, you need test no further, you would have your answer. But if it is negative, it could be because you tested too soon after infection and have not yet had time to develop antibody sufficient to be detected by the western blot. In that case, you would need to be retested at 16 weeks for more assurance. Our office can help you obtain a western blot.

If you do have HSV 2, and your partner uses condoms AND you take daily antiviral therapy, the chances that you would infected them is about 1-2% in a year, that is having sex about twice a week.

This is the final question on this subscription. If you have other questions, please feel free to renew.

Terri

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