Tested Positive for Herpes

[mchammer]

Hi Terri,

I hope you are well. I just received my HSV 1 and HSV 2 IGG scores. Please see below. I have never had an out break as far as I know. I have not showed symptoms for either HSV-1 or HSV-2 My IGM scores came back negative as well.

HSV1 – 28.10 IGG
HSV2 – 1.36 IGG Score

This testing was done by labcorp.

I recently got tested because my relationship was getting more serious with my partner. I ordered a western blotter test.

I have had un-protected sex before and have been a calculated risk taker.

Based on my numbers what are your assumptions? My HSV-2 seems very low but still positive. Would you have another IGG test done as well?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks,
Mike

[Terri Warren]

So this is definitely not a western blot. Are you saying that you ordered the western blot as well somehow? There is an excellent chance that this is a false positive. When was your last sexual contact with anyone else? Has this current partner tested for HSV 2?

Terri

[mchammer]

Hi Terry,

Thanks for the prompt reply. I have not had a western blot done. Just the igg and igm done with the above scores.

I called the university that handles western blott. They are sending me the supplies to get blood drawn at my local physician.

What do you recommend I do? Can I get the western blot done through you and your team?

My last sexual contact with anyone else other than my current partner was about a month and a half ago. Maybe more.

Please advise.

Thanks
Mkke

[Terri Warren]

It doesn’t matter how you get your bloods drawn for western blot. If your doc will draw it, spin it and send it, that’s fine. We can order it be drawn at a Quest lab near you and they handle all of that including the shipping to UW. Both work fine.

But you are testing too soon to be certain about a negative result. It is best to wait 16 weeks after an exposure to possible infection. And acyclovir can interfere with test results if taken longer term (more than 2 weeks).

Terri

[mchammer]

Thanks Terri – A few things

My IGM is negative for both HSV-1 & HSV-2. I haven’t had any outbreaks that I am aware of ever. My last sexual partner and I ended Mid-September and we were sexually active for about 2 months before ending in mid-september. A condom was used during sex in exception to ONE time where I briefly inserted without protection. This was about 3-4 months ago when the un-protected sex would of happened. Is it still to early to test? My current partner has not had a HSV-2 test. We have only had protected sex.

What is your take on my testing results?

I have had both chicken pox and mono.

Based on the numbers you are seeing what is your take. I am already assuming I am positive for HSV-2 & HSV-1 based on my IGG scores. I am not look for false hope but would like to understand your outlook..

I have scheduled a western blotter through your office and will talk to you on Tuesday next week.

Thanks,
Mike

[Terri Warren]

Mike, your HSV 2 test result is really low. Statistically, it is most likely that you will test negative on the western blot for HSV 2 UNLESS you are in the process of developing more antibody from your contact in September. The fact that you used condoms most of the time is reassuring but does not give you absolute protection. We can certainly order the test this coming week and will be happy to do that, but if the person in September happened to infect you, I would sure like to see you wait 16 weeks or know she is really negative or repeat that test again when 16 weeks have passed – one of those three options. And then there is your current partner who has not been tested. I believe that needs to happen, again, because we need to be able to make sense of your results.

Terri

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