What to do Now

[concerned542846]

Hello,

I recently tested positive for HSV-2 on a Quest IGG test, with an index of 1.09. I took a Quest inhibition confirmation test that came out positive with an index of 94. I tested because I had a new partner (person 2) one week prior, in June 2022. My question is, is there any way an IGG could be truly positive one week after exposure? Is the low index indicative of a week old infection or is there no way to tell this early? If it wasn’t this June 2022 exposure, I had another possible exposure with a single partner (person 1) in August and November 2021 and February 2022, but did not get tested afterwards. I also have a long term partner who I have unprotected sex with several times a week and she’s still negative as of this week. Neither of us have ever had symptoms. Any other possible exposure would be over 12 years ago. Trying to figure out if this was Person 1, person 2, or someone more than 12 years ago, or a possible false positive.

[Terri Warren]

1.09 is not positive, it is equivocal. I have most definitely seen false positives on the inhibition assay. Your encounter was too soon to test positive on a test from this encounter. I would recommend the blot. an equivocal with a positive inhibition just seems so unlikely to me.

Terri

[concerned542846]

Going from 0 to 1.09 in five days after one potential exposure is impossible or just highly unlikely?

If I take the western blot, how long should I wait since I last had unprotected sex to ensure an accurate result?

Is there any value in taking more IGGs to see if that number moves upwards in the meantime?

Thank you!

[Terri Warren]

You didn’t go from 0 to 1.09. No one tests zero.
You could try doing another IgG and see what you get this time, sure.
If you decide to do the western blot, you should wait 12 weeks from any concerning encounter. And if you take an extended course of antiviral medicine, it could impact the accuracy of your test results.
Getting herpes at a single encounter is not impossible, just very unlikely.

Terri

[concerned542846]

Last question, and really an update. Person 1, who I had unprotected sex with in Aug, Nov and Feb, tested negative on an IGG last week, so that only leaves the June unprotected sex, single encounter, as a possibility as my long term partner had tested negative three times now. I just tested again and got an equivocal, .98. Again, no history of lesions, and one encounter three weeks ago, a 1.09 IGG with positive follow-up inhibition test and a equivocal IGG . 98 last week (three weeks post encounter). Should I be worried? I plan to get a WB in 2 months but in the meantime should I be done with IGG tests? Can I ever return a solid negative on an IGG?
Thanks again

[Terri Warren]

Yes, I think you should be done with IgG tests forever. You may never have a solid negative on this test. The western blot is the test you want.

Terri

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