November 18, 2014 at 3:31 am #1910

Participant

Hi Terri,

I went directly to the harbor view clinic in Seattle to have the Western Blot done. It was definitely the western blot done through the UW. Sorry if there is any confusion, but I went to the STD clinic as a walk in and did the test. I am not assuming that I don’t have herpes. I am assuming that a 2.6 IGG at 8 days is a false positive based on the high number and seroconversion not happening that quickly. From the medhelp site and other resources I was under the assumption testing at 8 days would be testing what happened prior to the encounter, seroconversion would not happen that quickly and have that high of a number. From other information I have read I also thought if herpes was attacking the body to the point of building anitbodies that fast there would be symptoms especially since it would be a primary. Based on those assumptions I was comfortable that the WB was confirming that test was a false positive. I am in the process of reconciling with my significant other and really want to put this behind me, that is one of the reasons this is causing me so much stress. When I talked to the clinician at the UW they did bring up asymptomatic infection and said that is definitely a possibility. They said it does happen, but they thought it was more likely with someone who already has HSV-1. Other people dismiss or ignore their symptoms as something else or do not notice them because they are not paying close attention. The same people at the virology clinic did not think it was possible to have a 2.6 IGG after 8 days, and that result would be from an exposure prior to the sexual encounter 8 days earlier. They told me to come back in at 12 weeks to have additional testing and that would be 95% accurate at that time.

Regarding the timing, I did go and do the WB blood test about a week before my first post on your site. I was dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety and really wanted to get your expert opinion on my situation to help calm my nerves. All of the other information I gave you is accurate, especially with regards to timing. I was concerned if I told you I already had ordered the Western Blot you would just tell me to wait for the results. I apologize, but I was not thinking straight. I have paid again and I will again if appropriate, but can you please address my statements above. You really have me concerned now that you are saying the WB did not confirm the false positive. From websites, other resources and the clinicians at the UW I thought it was a false positive based on the number and short period of time. You also stated above you thought it was now better than 90% that it would remain negative and there was problem a cellular protein causing the numbers. I am not sure how the testing works and what they are testing for, but if the IGG was that high that soon, wouldn’t the same antibodies be present for the WB test and stronger 9 days later so that test would be positive too??? Is a biokit something I should look into at 9 weeks while waiting to do another WB??

Sorry for the long post, I really do appreciate the service you provide and how much you help people. It truly was a 1 time encounter and something I regret. I also wish I knew more about the false testing risk. I would never have tested when I did with no symptoms. This has really messed with my head and affected my life.