Test results advice

[123abc]

Hi Terri,

I wanted to check with you if there was a chance of my HSV test to be false positive and if it was worth doing Western Blot test. I know I am grasping at straws, but I am devastated – just got diagnosed – and my partner just left me because of HSV diagnosis. I am hopeful only because my Obgyn said there is a small chance of a false positive and also I read online about how VZV and EBV may affect HSV tests to be false positive. I had chicken pox when I was a kid and tested positive for EBV about a year ago. I also read here on the blog that one person received inconclusive Western Blot results even at values as high as 8.5 or so and needed to be retested later. I don’t know enough about the subject and would appreciate your expertise. Here are my test results done by Quest Diagnostics:

Blood work:

VZV AB (IGG),EIA – 2.47
HERPES AB TYPE 1 IGG – Greater Than 5.00
HERPES AB TYPE 2 IGG – Greater Than 5.00
HSV 1 IgM Screen – Negative
HSV 2 IgM Screen – Negative
VZV AB IGM,EIA – <=0.90

Swab test (I had a razor cut from shaving, or so I thought, near rectum that my doctor wanted to check just to be sure)

SureSwab(R),HSV 1-2,DNA,PCR
HSV 1 DNA – Not Detected
HSV 2 DNA – Detected

I’ve never had cold sores or any sores on the genitals, at least I am not aware that I did. Now that I am thinking I did have a couple razor cuts which could have been HSV lesions, but I am not sure. To be fair, I am so freaked out that I now think every little thing that is on my skin is HSV related.

So the questions are:

1. Is there a chance of my test results to be false positive?
2. Is it worth for me to have Western Blot done?
3. What would be the best way to receive counseling for HSV diagnosis, my whole world collapsed. I know I am not the only one dealing with it, but it’s new to me and I am devastated.

Thank you in advance for your help!

[Terri Warren]

1. Is there a chance of my test results to be false positive?
I seriously doubt, given an index value of >5, that this is a false positive, honestly.

2. Is it worth for me to have Western Blot done?
You can do it, of course, but I think the likelihood that it would not confirm your initial blood test is very low indeed.

3. What would be the best way to receive counseling for HSV diagnosis, my whole world collapsed. I know I am not the only one dealing with it, but it’s new to me and I am devastated.
I think the best thing to do at the beginning of a diagnosis is to read good sources to learn what you can about your disease state. Try to stick to reputable sources and avoid websites that you are not staffed by professionals. My book, The Good News about the Bad News, has a couple of chapters about the psychological effects of having herpes and how to deal with them better. Also, if you seek counseling, seek someone who does what is called CBT, cognitive behavior therapy. This will help you deal more effectively with negative thoughts and feelings. And remember that after this initial time of having herpes, maybe a few months, things will look different to you, in terms of this sadness. For most people, this initial feeling does resolve though you will never feel great about having herpes for sure. There are also national support groups for herpes which you can find online.

I am not going to give you false hope about your results. The highest I have not seen confirm is 4.8. If you want a western blot, we can help you with that, of course. If it helps you put any questions about your diagnosis behind you, then do it. If you don’t need more clarity, I think it is OK to skip the blot.

Things will get better emotionally, I promise. Everybody has “stuff”. This is yours, but people you meet in the future will also have “stuff”, don’t forget that and think that somehow your “stuff” is worse. In the long run, it truly isn’t.

terri

[123abc]

Hi Terri,

Thank you so much for your response and advice. I would like to get Western Blot done, just so I’m not wondering “what if”.

Could you please let me know what the cost is and what I need to do to order it?

Thank you

[Terri Warren]

You need to call my clinic (this website) and make an appointment for a phone consultation with me. Let the front desk know that you want a western blot. You’ll fill out a little online form so I know what we’re going to do when we talk. The cost is $250 and you’ll need to pay that at the time we talk. We’ll send you to a Quest lab near you to have your blood drawn and they will transport it to the University of Washington. I will give you the results when they come in.

Terri

[123abc]

Thank you!

[Terri Warren]

You are most welcome.

Terri

[Author]

Posts