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Avatar universal

Grey Zone IgG - do I tell new partners

Hi,

I recently went in for an annual check-up and had my doctor run what I thought was a standard battery of STD tests.  I've only had 7-8 partners and have never shown symptoms for anything but figured it was prudent to be tested since we had already drawn blood for other tests.  Well my HSV-2 IgG test came back as low positive at 1.6 and my doctor suggested a re-test using the same test (I had asked about Western Blot but he said can't be done because I didn't have any lesions/sores to swab).  I am completely asymptomatic and don't exhibit any high risk factors as none of my past partners informed me of any outbreaks.  The retest came back as a 1.3 and in both cases my HSV-1 was negative. The first test was done 3 months after my last encounter and the retest was a month after that.

From everything I have read these very low positives (are still positives) and since both came back positive it is unlikely that I had two false positives but both are in the Grey Zone of 1 to 3.5 for the IgG test.

My doctor suggested that since I am asymptomatic, have very low risk factors, and only mildly positive I should consider myself negative until (if) I ever have an outbreak.  Is this true?  Should I therefore not tell new partners of this possible risk beforehand?

Thanks all!!
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Avatar universal
I'd go Westernblot now and get the definitive answer!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I guess the question becomes what is the best way to get out of the 'grey' zone?  I intend to inform all past and future partners but in a perfect world I don't want to raise undue alarm if I am truly negative.

Is the western blot premature with such a mild positive?  Should I be waiting a few more months and getting another herpes select or biokit test?

If I am reading other posts right I shouldn't read anything into my test score going down from 1.6 to 1.3...as in I shouldn't cross my fingers and think in a couple more months it will be below 1 right?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Do you tell partners that you have yet to have a 'true negative' HSV2 test?

I don't know.  Depends on how well you could sleep knowing that you could infect someone who trusts you.  Depends on how concerned for your own physical safety you think you would feel be, in fact, did infect someone.

Why even ask the question?  A decent person would disclose.
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Avatar universal
If the last test was at least 4 months post exposure then you are definitely 'grey'. A Westernblot is a great idea to advance your knowledge. It's an IgG blood test that you can have anytime now. Perhaps consider becoming a phone patient of Terri Warren's and the team will sort you out, will take a little cash but I'm sure it will give you clarity.
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Avatar universal
I think you should disclose until you know for sure that it is really negative - I just got hsv2 from a girl who said she didn't know and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Imagine how you would feel if someone got it from you and you knew you "might" have it but you didn't say anything.
Helpful - 0
3149845 tn?1506627771
Hi, and yes the value fall into the false positive range and would need retesting also if you took the blood test less than 3 months from the exposure it maybe a recent infection.
Helpful - 0
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