1) in regards to hsv-1 can we conclusively say that im negative after the battery of tests that i took? officially the only real positive igg test i had was hsv-1 at 1.37, then a negative igg then negative western blot (see above).
Yes, I would count on the western blot being negative for HSV 1 and believe that.
2) why would an igg test or even more surprisingly a biokit test now be of no use? i assume that if im negative on both or either of these tests now (almost 8 months) then it should be conclusive NO? – is there a fear of false positive?
The western blot is more definitive than the IgG or Biokit. Even if you got negatives on those, which I suspect you would, you would still know the western blot was indeterminate and it would unsettle you, if it still is now, I think
3) in regards to my previous testing history, i generally get routine std tests now for the past 2 years as part of my annual physical. that being said my physical is coming up in October, should i ask my physician NOT TO TEST for hsv as a test now would be “of no use” as you put it? He doesn’t do or even know what a western blot is for hsv
Yup, I would skip the herpes test, if you were my patient.
4)The indeterminate western blot was well explained by you, but the process of seroconversion is what scares me. Obviously some patients with indeterminate western blots seroconvert after a period of time, but you suggest that this is not the case with me. IS this because of the testing date of western blot at 4.5 months?
I don’t suspect seroconversion for the reasons we talked about in the first post, and the fact that you have waited the 16 weeks suggested by the University of Washington to test, yes. You’ve not taken any antiviral medicine, right?
Terri
5) of course most of my fear has been mostly because of the symptoms or perceived symptoms that i have had on my genital area. the three bumps are now mostly gone with the exception of the redness. it is now thursday i noticed them on saturday. no scabbing just redness. the bumps have hair sticking out of them and seem to be only red, the derm doc mentioned folliculitis but i cant be sure. i have a pic maybe ill post it again after hearing your response but its kinda late in the stage…no scabbing occured and no pain at all, no itching either.
thanks again…your knowledge amazes me and your work….doctors, even dermatologists seem to know nothing about this stuff.