1 positive test, 1 negative test, 1 confused person

[atmylimit]

Hello,

Here is my story: For the past 3 years I have been getting a blister in my "butt crack". The blister recurs once a year and in total it has appeared 3 times between (2009-2011). The third time it appeared i decided to go to a dermatologist who clinically diagnosed me with Genital Herpes. I follwed up this diagnosis with a blood test which was negative (HSV2 IgG: 0.6).

I returned with my results to my doctor who seemed more confident in his diagnosis than my blood test and so I got another blood test from a different lab. This time the test result was positive. HOWEVER, the results were obviously of a different type of test all together: Herpes 2 IgG Greater tahn 200 RU/ml.

So, I am very confused. I dont know which test is the correct one. I've read on this site that tests that deliver their result in such units are "not accurate"?.

Please help with any information on these tests, I am going to have yet another test done from yet another lab tomorrow.

Thank you

[atmylimit]

Eeeek! Ok thanx a million for ur help though
.
I'm going to try my best to follow up on this site should I have further tests done in the future. Medhelp has been a tremendous help to me during the last 2 months and I would like to ensure that others who may be following this particular thread get the full story.

Until next time....Love and Light :)

[gracefromHHP]

i have no idea which test they are using. there are many out there.

[atmylimit]

Hi Grace,

Just an update. I had the third test done as I said I would in my last post. Unfortunately, it was the same kind of test as the second one I had done. The result was 192 RU\ml which is positive for that test. I also called the lab where I had the first negative test done to find out if they used the HerpeSelect test and they don't. Thay use another type of test which gives results similar to the HerpeSelect format.- believe the lab tech said it was a "cal"-something.
Do you know of any other ELISA tests that show results similar to the HerpeSelect?
The lab tech told me that the HerpeSelect test is not widely available in my country but that they (that particylar lab) has been trying to procure it and hopefully in a month's time they should have it. At this point I'm going to accept my 2 positive tests.

[gracefromHHP]

and here I was hoping I was out of this world...he he he

if you need help with the 3rd blood test just post the results here.

[atmylimit]

Thanks for the reply Grace,

I'll be sure to follow up with the lesion culture as you have suggested. But if the blister returns in its regular pattern that could be another 9-12 months from now.

I'll probably still get the third blood test however, just for my own peace of mind.

Thanks again.

You are a wonderful Earthling for dedicating your time to this forum.

[gracefromHHP]

correct - the 2nd test you  had done is one that has been returning with a lot of false positives.

the best thing to do at this point is when you have a return of your blisters, be seen within 48 hours of their appearance for a lesion culture and typing instead of further blood testing at this point.

grace