[Saga2021]

Hi Terri: Thanks so much! I’ve had the Western Blot test done at University of Washington on 14 Feb 2022. The results are:

HSV WB Specimen Serum
HSV1 WB Result Negative
HSV2 WB Result Indeterminate

It then says: “If patient history suggests he or she is in the process of seroconversion,
submit a second serum no sooner than 3 months later for a paired serology. The UW lab stores samples from HSV Western blot testing for 1 year. >90% of persons with new HSV-2 infections will seroconvert by 3 months of exposure. In <1% of cases, seroconversion may take >12 months. In persons who are indeterminate on 2 samples drawn at least 3 months apart, HSV infection is unlikely and further testing should be discouraged.”

How can I interpret this based on my previous results? Do I need to take a second paired WB test? I have never had symptoms. As a reminder, my previous results from 2018 were:

TEST #1 (Mar 2018)
HSV 1/2 IGG,TYPE SPECIFIC AB
Test Name Result Flags Reference Range
HSV 2 IGG, TYPE SPECIFIC AB 4.21* H index

TEST #2 (Apr 2018)
HSV 1/2 IGG,TYPE SPECIFIC AB
Test Name Result Flags Reference Range
HSV 2 IGG, TYPE SPECIFIC AB 3.93* H index

[Saga2021]

Hi Terri:

Thanks so much!

The PCR test was in serum. Is that still irrelevant?

I have ordered a WB test but my provider has never seen this kit before or anything like it and has no idea what to do. My provider filled out the order form and left me to try to find a lab in the area that would take it. QuestDiagnostics will not ship from here so that won’t work. I don’t know what sorts of labs can be considered trustworthy and would do this — do they need to be independent in some way? What sort of Google search might you recommend — or do you have any tips for how to find a lab willing to draw the blood as an “outside order” and either give the sample back to me or else ship it (with a pre-paid label)? Are there labs in the New England area that people have successfully used in the past?

If I’m unable to find a lab here I am considering going to Seattle and doing the draw at Northwest Hospital, where the folks at the UW lab services said they can take it directly to the lab. I don’t know what else to do 🙁

Any help would be welcome!

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