Tested Positive IGG 5.30.

[Pd26]

About a couple weeks ago I decided to do my annual physical and blood test. Due to having unprotected sex a couple years ago in Europe I asked my doctor to test me for both herpes simplex 1 and 2 in which I received these results

HSV 1 IGG, TYPE SPECIFIC AB (index)
<0.90
Comments: Normal (applies to non-numeric results)
HSV 2 IGG, TYPE SPECIFIC AB (index)
5.30
Comments: Above high normal

After weeks of dread, realizing my life is over and getting through the depression I met with a support group. When I told them about my symptoms they seemed confused because I’ve never had an herpes outbreak but I’ve had a series of genital skin conditions such as jock itch, ingrown hairs, eczema, pimples, but I’ve never had a liquid filled burning/ itching herpe. Even some of the skin conditions I get down there I’ve had most my life, way before I was sexually active.

I went ahead and ordered the Western Blot kit and setting up a consultation with you is the next step but before I do I wanted to ask if it’s worth it considering 5.30 is high, I really want to believe deep down there’s a small chance I don’t have this but is it worth going through the next step?

Thank you so much for your help.

[Terri Warren]

I have definitely seen false positives at that level. They aren’t common but they definitely happen. Actually, I don’t think we know how common exactly as most people with index values in that range do not do the blot. But a paper in 2020 found high false positives more common than one might think.

I don’t know how you decide “worth it” but this is a lifelong health condition and most people want to know for sure about their status. If you had genital lesions consistent with herpes, I would say you don’t need to blot. Since you don’t, I would suggest you get it.

Terri

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