A related discussion,
Confused was started.
Hey Terri it's been a while but I have taken a 5th herpeselect igg type specific and yet again it's low for hsv 2 at 1.3! I want to pursue a western blot to get some final answers.
Whether you get a western blot or not is certainly up to you.
Terri
Just wanted to update you Terri on my 4th herpeselect test I had taken before getting in touch with you. I know it is not of importance but my antibody count did not climb up in fact it went down to 1.5 from 1.8. So to recap my 4 test and biokit all of which had >5 hsv 1
Hsv 2 index values in order
1.3 (3 weeks post)
1.5 (4 weeks post)
1.8 (9 weeks post)
Negative biokit (12 weeks post encounter)
1.5 (14 weeks post encounter)
Still no signs and only two partners are negative
I don't want to go through the trouble of getting a western blot so instead I'll get another biokit done at 16 weeks and if negative ill drop the issue and continue with annual screenings
The index value is not really important for you. They are all low positives and variation is normal.
The new tests are much less likely to have cross reaction, but I think they still sometimes have a little.
Kind of to put this in another way for you, there is a 85% chance you don't have herpes. I think the western blot is the only way to know for certain.
Terri
Terri what are your thoughts on 3 low positives and a negative biokit? I understand I need a western blot but in the mean time to help ease my mind could you elaborate more on the cross reactivity with hsv 1? I though the new igg type specific test did not have cross reactivity.
Thanks for your response Terri, yes I will most likely need to go through y'all because my doctor is not willing to work with me, she says I have it and will always have it. Do to have any suggestion as to why my antibody count is going up with each test? Is that irrelevant? It' makes me wonder if it is seroconversion due to it increasing but I don't know. I've recently had my blood drawn for a 4th herpeselect to see if the count is still on the rise. I plan on another biokit at 16 weeks. Can I conclude that another negative biokit at 16 weeks I am truly negative?
You most certainly need a herpes western blot confirmatory test. Your very low positive could be due to cross reaction with HSV 1. When someone has an index value in your range, there is an 85% chance it is a false positive. Do you know how to get one? You can either order the test kit directly from the University of Washington and have your doctor draw your blood and return it to them or our clinic can order you a test at a lab near you.
Let us know if we can help. You very well may have a false positive result on your HSV 2 test.
Terri
Don't know what happened to the original post but at the beginning I had a routine physical 3 weeks post exposure hsv 1 > 5 hsv 2 1.3