Reply To: Did I just get HSV2 on the mouth?

[Zoros_LekLek]

Hey sorry for the delay. I called the girl, she said she tested herself regularly, and absolutely did not have herpes (actually, she called me, wanting to hang out; clearly no guilty conscience there). I also suddenly remembered that I burned my lip quite badly on Saturday, smoking a non-filtered cigarette, which might have explained the burn.

Results came in today, though. I ran out to the clinic the morning before I got this message, and just got whatever the doctor said. Here is what I received:

HSV IgM Ab Standard Range: <10 Titer Your Value: <10

HSV Type 1 IgG Ab 7.89
Standard Range <1.10
Reference Range: Negative <0.90 Value Index; Positive >=1.10 Index Value; Equivocal=0.90-1.09
Your Value: POSITIVE

HSV Type 2 IgG Ab 0.07
Standard Range <1.10
Reference Range: Negative <0.90 Value Index; Positive >=1.10 Index Value; Equivocal=0.90-1.09
Your Value: Negative

HSV Qualitative PCR, Non CSF-Details
Specimen Source: Lip
Result: HSV DNA detected, type indeterminate.

Doctor’s comments: Lip lesion does have evidence of HSV, though unclear if 1 or 2. Given that the antibody testing is negative, it’s possible that your flare of symptoms has preceded your immune system’s antibody response. I will enter a Rx for Valtrex to take for your current flare. I would recommend repeat antibody testing in 3 months to see if you test positive for 1 or 2.

I have two final questions for you. The first: if I’m reading this correctly, the IgG seems to have returned positive for HSV1. So why is my doctor saying that the flare of symptoms preceded my immune system’s antibody response? Why isn’t he just telling me that I have HSV1, on the basis of the IgG and the PCR?

Second question: why did the PCR come back ‘indeterminate’? Is there any chance that I don’t have HSV, or are these tests pretty definitive?

Thank you for everything.