Reply To: Botched Test?

[Random555]

Terri,

Thank you for all of your insights and advice. I know it’s been said before, but this is really such a fraught area of medicine, and your calm and helpful manner is such a balm and a boon.

I took your advice and ordered a Lab Corp test directly. I received the results: 1.1 IGG for both HSV1 and HSV2 and Negative on the supplemental assessment for HSV2. I have not had any additional potential exposures since the “exposures” (later found not to be) in the fall. I am thinking that I may have another herpes family virus – EBV? CMV? – that is showing up in the tests for HSV 1 and 2. I had spent some years working abroad in areas where the rates of infection with these and many viruses is higher than in the US, almost universal.

Does this seem reasonable? I know the blot would be 100% accurate but this seems pretty close to a confirmed false positive.

Thank you again!