Reply To: Herpes and Pregnancy

[Mom2B]

Dear Terri,
Sorry for the lateness in my reply. I had to track down my blood test results. I could only find one set, as I had two blood tests to verify; one from where I was living abroad and the other in the U.S.

The test abroad was my first blood test. I can’t find those results. I can’t remember if they swabbed the cold sore on my mouth, but I did have a blood test and it turned up negative for HSV1, but positive for HSV2.

The second blood test taken in the U.S. is what I have on hand. This was administered over a month after my first test. According to the document, the following was ordered: HSV 1 & 2 IGG and HERPESELECT.

Under the HSV-1 IgG heading, it reads:
0.07 <0.90 Negative. An index value of <0.90 indicates no IgG antibodies to HSV-1 were detected.

Under HSV-2 IgG:
1.72 H >=0.90 and <=1.10 Equivocal. An index value of >=0.90 but <=1.10 is considered equivocal result.

Specimen Source: Serum
Method such as Western Blot.
>1.10 Positive. An index value of >1.10 is presumptive for the presence of IgG antibodies to HSV-2

This molecular assay detects herpes simplex virus DNA by PCR.

Negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy. Mild inflammation. Shift in vaginal flora suggestive of bacterial vaginosis. (Just a note: I am not including the numerous subsequent tests I had on the discharge, itself, following those initial blood tests as each time they were negative or had the precedent conclusion “suggestive of BV.” Four years out and no longer living in the same environment, I do not have that particular issue anymore.)

I hope this answers some questions. In light of your reply, should I:
* assume that I will never know if I have HSV2 genitally?
* retake a blood test now to make sure both prior tests did not miss an HSV 1 infection?
* and if so, which one? I am now currently living in Europe…though I do return stateside for holidays.

Thank you so much for your patience and reply.