Should I take a western blot- possible false poditive

[Anon54]

Hi Terri,
Thank you for opening this forum for our questions.
I am a 30 year old African-American female.
I was tested about two months ago and received a negative HSV-1 result, and positive HSV-2 result with an IgG of 3.58. I got another test done in the same week and the HSV-1 was still negative and HSV-2 was still positive, but the IgG decreased to 3.3. Both were from Quest diagnostics.
I read that the false positive range was from 1.1 to 3.5 and about 50% of people who tested positive in that range were false positive. I’ve never been tested for HSV before.
What are the odds that this would be a false positive? Should I get a western blot test?

[Anon54]

Also, to add on, I have never had any symptoms.

[Terri Warren]

You should get a western blot yes. While you index value is on the higher end of where we find false positives, it is still a real possibility that this is not a true positive. Please do it.

Terri

[Anon54]

Thank you! This helps. I just sent in my blood serum for WB testing and am praying for a good outcome. I just have a few more questions.
1. How long does it usually take to get results?
2. The tracking showed delivered. Is there a number I can call to check the status? Or to make sure my sample was received?
3. I also had a Pap smear and my gyno found high grade squamous intraepithelial legion, detecting pan high-risk HPV cells. Could this have affected my HSV result?

[Anon54]

Also I did have chicken pox as a child. Could the combination of any of these things have affected the initial test results?

[Terri Warren]

1. How long does it usually take to get results?
After the blood is sent in, you should get results within 1 to 3 weeks.

2. The tracking showed delivered. Is there a number I can call to check the status? Or to make sure my sample was received?
Not really, no. If it says it was delivered, then it very likely was.

3. I also had a Pap smear and my gyno found high grade squamous intraepithelial legion, detecting pan high-risk HPV cells. Could this have affected my HSV result?
No, but you need to follow up on that for sure!

Chicken pox likely had nothing to do with your HSV result either.

Terri

• This reply was modified 1 month, 3 weeks ago by Terri Warren.

[Anon54]

I got my results back and they’re NEGATIVE! I’ve been thanking God over and over again. I just wanted to update to thank you, Terri for this forum and for being such an advocate of taking this additional step and answering all of our questions.

[Terri Warren]

Oh, I’m so happy for you! Those damn IGG tests. I know many people with an index value in your range would have accepted it. You didn’t. So proud of you for being your own advocate. Great job

Terri

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