In nearly every state, you aren't legally bound to disclose your status, asymptomatic or otherwise. Having said that, if you are positive for HSV2 and do some research you will see that everyone who contracts the virus handles it differently (physically). And thusly, only a horrible person who should rot in hell doesn't give potential partners the right to decide whether or not contracting herpes is a risk they are willing to take by being honest and open about it. It's worth thinking not only about whether or not you might infect someone; but, how that person is likely to react if that happens. Serious, serious stuff.
And for clarification, most of the population has HSV1 (60%-70%) NOT HSV2 (20%) and aside from the fact that they are called Herpes, they shouldn't be considered similar. Even genital HSV1 is extremely mild after the first outbreak or two.
Having said all of that - I hope your next test comes back negative and that the time between last sexual contact and testing makes the result valid!
Good luck!
I guess that I should clarify that the reason why I was so shocked by the results is that the last time I had sexual contact was 3+ years ago. If that makes a difference.
I think it makes a huge difference. What was the positive value? Anything under 3.50 is considered suspicious and warrants retesting.
The gyno was giving me the run around and didn't give me the numerical value score. The retest results should come in on Friday. If they come in under 3.50 I'm going to make and appointment and be tested by the bio kit. I know the that western blot is the golden standard but currently is impossible to get in NYC. Would the bio kit automatically make the Elisa igg tests null and void?
Thank you for your help!
That's a question for Catinbarefeet or GracefromHHP... I'm not nearly as knowledgeable as either when it comes to which test is best.
Sorry
I've read a study that shows that generally the Biokit is generally a good indicator of whether a low-positive ELISA is falsely positive or not -- not perfect, but good.
So you had a test at your gyno's office (you're not sure what kind) that came up positive? Even if the gyno won't tell you what test it was, you legally have the right to printouts of your medical records. You could always try going that route if you want to know exactly what's happening.
Like TIm says above, while disclosure isn't legally required, most medical professionals recommend that people with confirmed positive infection disclose to their partners, taking precautions like suppressive antivirals and condoms to reduce the risk to something like less than 1-2% of female to male transmission over the course of the year.
Let us know if anything else comes to light with your test results or if you have any other questions!
Finally got my results from the first place!
My value is 1.43.
Range and units - 0.00 - 0.90 index
Negative 1.09
I don't know what test is it but it says HSV 2 Antibody, IGG. I'm going to assume herpeselect?
My second results are going to be the Elisa IGG and I already have an appointment for the biotest next week. Depending on how things go I might make a phone appointment with Terri and go to NJ to get the western blot done.
Gah my bad my results were poorly written:
My value is 1.43.
Range and units - 0.00 - 0.90 index
Negative 1.09
Okay, the values seem to be dissapearing after negative:
My value is 1.43.
Range and units - 0.00 - 0.90 index, Negative less than 0.91, Equivocal 0.91 to 1.09, Positive more than1.09
When was your last penetrative sexual exposure? Don't worry about oral since this is HSV2. You may already have read this,, but yours is a VERY low positive. Well within the potentially false-positive range. If you haven't had sexual contact in the past 3 months, your should retest.
A low positive could also mean that the body is still building antibody and that your value is still on it's way up. By 6 weeks, somewhere between 59 and 77% of people who will eventually test positive will have already done so. By 12 weeks, it's over 90%
More than 3+ years ago. For penetrative sex I always used a condom. For oral I never (foolishly) did. I know this might be a silly question but there would be no reason to have HSV-2 anti-bodies if I don't have it...right?
On an emotional note my best friend came over yesterday and I told him what was going on. He hugged me and said that if I have to go to NJ he's coming with me and that we'll make a day trip of it which was sweet. I'm also considering buying the herpes microbes as a way to deal with this humorously or else I might pull all of my hair out.
3.5 years for ANY penetrative?? The condom only provides about 30% protection (although that's disputed to be a low figure).
Just about everyone has some antibodies to HSV1 and 2. If you haven't had sex in 3.5 years, get tested again for clarification. Your next result may very well be in the negative.
Good luck.
Yep! 3.5 years of no penetrative sex. Thank you very much for your advice sir, it really has been helpful :D
So I went to Montefiorie and had the biokit done and I can happily say that I am negative! The doctor told me that he has commonly retested people and have confirmed false positives. He also told me that there is no need for me to have the Western Blot done.
I want to thank everyone on these forms, if it wasn't for you guys talking about false positives, then I would be living my life as if I had HSV-2. Thank you all so so much.
Question, Im also in the NYC area. You mentioned Montefiorie, where is that? Im also having that same problem. A possible false-positive....
http://www.montefiore.org/std-contact