Reply To: False Positive Suspicion

[MMTex]

Update: I went into a clinic due to something that looked like a sore on the underside of my scrotum. Turns out, it was a friction burn but while I was there, the doctor talked me into taking another IgG test since I told him I had tested positive for HSV2. This test was about 3 weeks out from the possible exposure.

The test came back positive at 1.66. The lab that did the test conducted a reflex/supplemental test, something that the other lab did not do. This reflex test came back negative. At this point, I don’t know what to think.

I’ve also started experiencing symptoms that the internet most closely relates to something called epididymitis. I can’t seem to find any information that attributes these symptoms to herpes. I’ve experienced:
-Strange/Uncomfortable sensations in the pelvic area (not pain, more like feelings of being poked)
-Warm, reddish, shiny scrotum
-feelings of testicle tenderness (although NOT tender when handled)
-pelvic muscles feel strained during urination
-most recently, a slight burning sensation at the tip of the penis following urination

To Recap:
11/14 – Sexual Encounter
11/16 – MedPost STD Panel – 11/19->Negative
11/21 – AnyLabTestNow STD Panel – 11/25->HSV2 Positive 1.41
12/3 (19 days out) – MedPost Herpes test only – 12/7->HSV2 Positive 1.66/Reflex test negative

I haven’t had an outbreak to date. I have a couple of questions regarding this information.

Could herpes be responsible for these symptoms?

My last STD panel was a week after the sexual encounter (I haven’t had sex since) and came back negative for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, and HSV1, but positive for HSV2. Is it possible one of these tests was a false negative and could be causing these symptoms? I didn’t test for syphilis. I used a condom during the encounter and everything I’ve read suggests chlamydia and gonorrhea transmission is nearly zero with one present.

If I DON’T have herpes, then why am I getting positives? What causes false positives?