HSV 2 Low Positive-No Symptoms??

[Nervouswreck18_]

Recently just had my annual, tested for all STI’s. My doctor called & said I tested positive for HSV 2, my heart stopped & I immediately burst into tears. While reading my results, it was a low positive of 1.79. I followed up with a visit to discuss & my doctor was adamant about it being true. Doing research I have found that this indeed could be a false positive. I put in for a Western Blot kit & is now awaiting it. Could this be a false positive?

[auntiejessi]

That makes it even more likely that you have a false positive, though you can have herpes for years and not know it.

I know it's easy for me to tell you not to worry, but try not to. Has your partner tested? When do you get the WB done, or have you done it and are waiting for results?

[Nervouswreck18_]

I been trying but I’m extremely nervous. Waiting for his results & I’m waiting on the WB kit, I ordered it yesterday.

[Nervouswreck18_]

Another question, do you know if a positive HSV 1 will trigger a false positive HSV 2?

[auntiejessi]

Some experts think having hsv1 will make it more likely to trigger a false positive on an hsv2 test, but really, anyone can. The rule used to be that if you had a pre-exisiting hsv1 infection, and had a low positive, you needed to retest. Now anyone with a low positive needs to confirm it.

Since you're so nervous, let's talk about what it will mean for you if you do have it, since it is a possibility.

Since you had an annual, and that you use condoms as birth control I'm going to assume you're female, at least that you have a vagina, even if you don't identify as female or are non-binary. The stats I'm going to give you are based on that, and I don't mean to erase your identity by saying female if you don't identify that way. This is purely medical, and me not knowing you.

Ghsv2 transmission, female to male, over the course of a year, assuming sex 2-3 times a week:

Only avoiding sex during an outbreak - 4-5%

Adding condoms OR daily suppression - 2-3%

Adding condoms AND daily suppression - 1-2%

Since you use condoms, the chances of you transmitting it would be very low, if your partner doesn't already have it. If you do have it, have you considered that your current partner may be your source?

In any case, herpes isn't the nightmare you may think is. No one wants it, of course, like no one wants the flu, but in the big picture, it's really just a blip.

Whatever happens, I promise you'll be fine. :)

[auntiejessi]

Absolutely it could be a false positive. It's estimated that at least 50% of results under a 3.5 are false positives, and the lower the number, the higher the chance.

https://www.statnews.com/2017/01/26/flawed-herpes-testing-leads-to-false-positives/

https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/herpes.htm -

"The most commonly used test, HerpeSelect HSV-2 Elisa might be falsely positive at low index values (1.1–3.5) (334-336). Such low values should be confirmed with another test, such as Biokit or the Western blot (337). "

You should show your doctor these articles. If they are going to diagnose herpes, they should understand the testing.

In the meantime, all you can do is wait.

How long has it been since your last possible exposure to herpes?

[Nervouswreck18_]

That’s the thing, I’ve been sexually active with the same person for the past year & 7 months & we almost always use condoms because that’s my only birth control. That’s why i’m so confused & distraught by the results.