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Difference between 48.7 and 17.9 index value on HSV 1 - AB IgG specific blood test

I took a HIV, HSV I/II IgG-AB blood test.  The HIV returned non-reactive.  HSV 1 was 49.7 and HSV 2 was 0.93

Another test for only HSV 1 - AB came back 17.90

Is there an explanation for the differences in index values if both tests were taken a week apart?
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207091 tn?1337709493
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Why did you take another HSV1 test? I'm not sure which test was first, but both are clearly positive, so I'm not sure why you took another test?

There really isn't any difference. I've had herpes for about 15 years. I could test today, and my result could be 19.2. Tomorrow, it might be 38.4, and the following day, it could be 25.4. It means nothing except I'm positive.

There is never a 0.0 result. Even if you are negative, you might be .08 one day, and .6 the next. It's all still negative.

Some people do show an increase in antibodies during an outbreak, so that can affect it, as well.

Is there a specific reason you tested? Did you have a specific question you were looking to have answered, like can you tell if this is a new infection? (You can't, unless you've had a negative result in the past and now have a positive result.)
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  My ex asked periodically if I tested for STDs.  My results were negative, but I recently discovered HSV wasn’t part of the panel of tests.  I wanted to know how I could have gotten HSV 1 if an outbreak was never apparent?  Also, the higher value came first.
I am unsure if the infection was from exposure to someone with fever blisters or if my ex is positive and passed it on to me.
I’m debating on whether I should change doctors.  I was told I did not need antiviral medicine, but my results are high.
Antivirals are used to help suppress outbreaks - you don't have them, so that's not a concern.

Antivirals are also used to help reduce transmission. Since they reduce outbreaks, they reduce transmission, but they also reduce asymptomatic viral shedding, where the virus is active on the skin with no symptoms. Herpes can transmit at this time, as well. This can happen whether you have no outbreaks or experience them frequently.

Oral hsv1, which yours is statistically, sheds about 25% of days per year. Obviously, we don't know what days those are since it's asymptomatic.

If you have a current partner who is negative, then you might want to consider daily antivirals. About half the adult population has hsv1, so there is a good chance anyone you're with already has it.

When did you get it? You'll never know. Most people get it as children, either from an adult who kissed them, or sharing a toy with another child when you were at the stage when you put everything in your mouth, or kissing your ex, or someone you previously kissed. You'll never know, and you don't have a previous negative test to narrow it down to a certain time frame. Most people never know. It doen't really matter in the long run.

Most doctors are highly uneducated about herpes, so even if you change doctors, your next one may not be any better. If you decide to go on daily antivirals, tell them that you have a herpes negative partner and want to reduce transmission. Hsv1 hasn't been studied like hsv2 has, but it's assumed antivirals work the same.

An important note - you can transmit hsv1 from your mouth to someone's genitals if you perform oral sex on them and they don't already have hsv1. (If this happens, they would have genital hsv1 - the number indicates the strain of the virus, not the location.) If you perform oral sex, then letting your partners know is probably a good idea, and might be a reason you consider suppression therapy with daily meds.
I work around people often and clean after them.  I have shared food and beverages with friends in the past after their fever blisters had cleared.  I do worry for future partners.
Because I’ve read French kissing can lead to transmission and the clinic I got tested with stated even coughing and sneezing on someone can transmit the virus?
I just know the ex stopped French kissing me a few months back.
Thank you so much for all the explanations.
Yes, hsv1 can be transmitted via french kissing, and sharing utensils. It isn't just sharing foods, like sharing the same bowl of chips or something, but by sharing the utensils for the foods.

No, you can't get it from sneezing or coughing -

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/herpes (Last line on this page)

I don't know why your ex stopped french kissing you, and if it has anything to do with this, or something else. Have you asked her, calmly and reasonably? Have you asked her why she asked you to test?



Thank you for all the information, I was able to get a prescription for an antiviral medicine today.

I was told today by the doctor 99 out of 100 people would have the virus inside them...

I was able to read the link you gave me.  Is it true cold sores can be found inside our mouths?  If so, I believe I’ve had cold sores since my school days.

My ex won’t admit it, but I have an inkling he had an affair of some sort. I’ve only been with him.

I think at this point I won’t ever know the original source (I’ve been around a handful of people with cold sores and shared food/drinks, including cleaning after them as they drooled tables and furniture), but being able to get the prescription has lifted some of the burden and worry off my shoulders.

Thank you!


It's probably not 99 out of 100, but it's a lot. About half of adults have hsv1, and about 20% have hsv2 (some have both). As you get older, the numbers rise.

Nope, you probably won't ever know the source. Even if your ex did cheat, that doesn't mean you got it from him. You could have had it since you were a child. Most cold sores are on the mouth/lips, not in the mouth (in the mouth are usually canker sores, which is different), but since 90% of people with hsv1 never get symptoms, you will likely never know.

Since you tested negative for STDs, and you have the info about hsv1 now, you can move on from your ex. I admit I'd probably think he cheated if it were me, but it doesn't matter now. He's your ex for a reason (or reasons) and you're better off. :)
That’s interesting.  The Planned Parenthood link and another online source I found had information on cold sores forming both inside the mouth and on lips.  If found inside the mouth, it would be on the gums or the roof of the mouth (cartilage/bone).  

Yes, the clinic he tested at did include HSV in the panel of STDs.  He said the tests were negative, but the results were before one of his last mistresses.

It’s been definitely a transition because he was abusive in every way possible.

Definitely ready to cut all ties—emotional and legal.
When people get their first outbreaks of hsv1, they can have them in those locations. Recurrences don't typically happen there.

This is what Planned Parenthood says about oral herpes: (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/herpes/what-are-the-symptoms-of-herpes)

"You can also get sores inside your mouth, but that usually only happens the first few times you have symptoms."

This doesn't really apply to you, though. You have established antibodies. This means you won't get a true primary outbreak, so any outbreaks you may get won't be that bad.

Coming out of any relationship is tough. It's harder, in some ways, if it's been abusive. Take care of you first. Don't hesitate to reach out for help if you need it. Domestic violence hotlines can refer you to counseling if you need it. There are lists here - https://www.medhelp.org/general-health/articles/MedHelp-Crisis-Resources/1037



Thank you for the resources. I took another test prior to getting antiviral medicine.  The index value was 56.  I have unusually warm skin and heat rash spots on my arm, neck, and chest.  Is this normal?

I think my ex might have transmitted hsv1 to me. He stopped kissing me around February.  The last time we saw each other was about 5-6 weeks prior to my first HSV1 positive result.  He would not kiss me that last time and so I asked to check the inside of his mouth since he asked me about STDs.  He finally admitted he also got checked, but it was back in the fall.

I’m just feeling guilty because it seems I might have passed it on to family.
Also, February was when I started getting profuse itches in my “sensitive” area.  And again, in April and May.  I thought maybe it was a yeast infection, but I’ve never had it so badly.  When I mentioned it to him, he just looked down and didn’t say anything.
I'm so sorry you have to deal with this.

Warm skin and heat rashes have nothing to do with herpes. You might want to see a derm about that. Perhaps you are having an allergic reaction to something.

He may have given you hsv1. He may have gotten it from cheating, or he may have had it since he was a kid. If he had sores in his mouth, that would suggest - but not definitely prove - a new infection.

Why do you think you passed it on to family? Hsv1 is an incredibly common virus - about half the adult population has it. Perhaps these family members already had it, and you never paid attention to it before. Even if you did transmit it, you can't feel guilty for things you didn't know.

Are you in therapy? May I gently suggest it? I'd be planting my *** in a therapist's office if I were you. Abusive relationships do more harm than we often realize. Give it some thought.

You will get through all this, I promise. You'll be stronger and more compassionate from it.
The clinic wants me to try out group therapy first. I wish I knew exactly how and from whom I contracted hsv1.  I can no longer see my family.  They don’t want to risk the little ones getting infected.  I can understand why, but it’s devastating news.
Okay, that's crap. I'm sorry, but it is.  You may understand why - I don't.

If they all took tests, at least half of them would be positive.

You are only infectious from your mouth. If they are so worried, just don't kiss the little ones, or share eating utensils or drinks, which is always smart anyway. (Depending on how little the little ones are - I think that's decent advice. I think too many people kiss little babies, and what with colds, flus, strep, etc., we are too free with this.)

And what clinic? (I don't need the name, obviously.) I'm confused as to why you are at the whim of so many other people. Why can't you decide for individual therapy? And maybe group therapy, too, if that works for you. Why is this therapy taking so long to start?

Please remember that you are not a walking biohazard. You have a virus that half the adult population does. This is NOT A BIG DEAL. It just isn't, and I wish everyone around you wasn't making it one. If I were wherever you are, I'd give you a big hug.

Aw, thank you! Both for the hug and the advice. My support group better understands now. And I was waiting for the intake appointment before starting therapy that would fit my budget. Hope all is well! Thank you so much for all your help.
You're welcome! Hope you are doing better now. :) We're here if you need anything.
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