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HSV1 and HSV2-SPEC AB, IGG W/RFX
I am male, 26 year old.. I have never had any outbreak on my genitalia region and I haven't been much active, and I am currently freaking out for the past few week about my test and doing a lot of research and I found out about false positive.. from researching it seems like my tests were done by LabCorps..
HSV 1 IGG type Spec : 49.50
HSV 2 IGG, type Spec : 2.03
HSV-2 IGG SUPPLEMENTAL TEST: Positive/Abnormal
Are there any changes of HSV2 being negative?? I am trying to keep my Fiance safe as possible and this scares me for her safety.
Other STDs came all negative
HSV 1 IGG type Spec : 49.50
HSV 2 IGG, type Spec : 2.03
HSV-2 IGG SUPPLEMENTAL TEST: Positive/Abnormal
Are there any changes of HSV2 being negative?? I am trying to keep my Fiance safe as possible and this scares me for her safety.
Other STDs came all negative
COMMUNITY LEADER
So there is still a chance, but I don't know the odds. The supplemental test coming out positive leans towards you being positive, but it's another IgG test, which doesn't offer a lot of new information.
Why did you test in the first place? Was it just routine? What kind of risks have you had? Who ordered your tests - was it your doctor?
Your next step would be to get a Western Blot test. These aren't that easy to get, but it's possible. Your doctor can order it, or you can go through Terri Warren at the Westover Heights site - she's one of the world's leading experts on herpes. https://westoverheights.com/herpes/getting-a-western-blot/
Why did you test in the first place? Was it just routine? What kind of risks have you had? Who ordered your tests - was it your doctor?
Your next step would be to get a Western Blot test. These aren't that easy to get, but it's possible. Your doctor can order it, or you can go through Terri Warren at the Westover Heights site - she's one of the world's leading experts on herpes. https://westoverheights.com/herpes/getting-a-western-blot/
21 Comments
Just went for a regular bloodwork and he decided to do STI testing and added without me asking for an HSV testing, it was an NP not even my doctor. I am going through surgeries and this is now another thing on top of everything else that has just been stressing me out so much. He just went over my results like it was nothing.. he literally said "herpes, everyone has them" and went onto my other blood work which was good... I am going to see him again tomorrow to go over this and I was going to ask the same.. chances of this being false positive, why test me when I didn't even see anything on or around that area.
So, it's good and bad that he tested you. Good because if you do have it, you'll know.
Bad because there are false positives, and a lot of people don't believe in routine testing because of that. I'm kind of in between.
Has your fiancee tested? Have you all been intimate? Could she be your source, if you do have it?
And yes, there is some truth to "herpes, everyone has it", but not quite. About half the adult population has oral hsv1, about 50% of all new genital herpes infections are genital hsv1, and about 20%-ish of adults has ghsv2. Obviously, some have oral hsv1 and ghsv2, so there's overlap, and some have ohsv1 and ghsv1, too. It's tough to put a real number on it.
https://depts.washington.edu/herpes/pages/hsv_resources - if your doc wants to order the WB test.
Bad because there are false positives, and a lot of people don't believe in routine testing because of that. I'm kind of in between.
Has your fiancee tested? Have you all been intimate? Could she be your source, if you do have it?
And yes, there is some truth to "herpes, everyone has it", but not quite. About half the adult population has oral hsv1, about 50% of all new genital herpes infections are genital hsv1, and about 20%-ish of adults has ghsv2. Obviously, some have oral hsv1 and ghsv2, so there's overlap, and some have ohsv1 and ghsv1, too. It's tough to put a real number on it.
https://depts.washington.edu/herpes/pages/hsv_resources - if your doc wants to order the WB test.
I am her first partner and we haven't done anything without protection, I was in a relationship in 2012 we had unprotected twice and even since then no symptoms at all after that. Intercourse while in college with so in total of 5 beside my fiancee and now counting her is 6 all were protected.
My ex- girlfriend in 2012 had kids and is happy married, so I am not really sure since after that I never had unprotected intercourse since I was so scared to catch anything
Wow, okay, so yeah, push for the western blot. You have really very little risk - not no risk, but not much of it - so push for confirmation.
We know that about 50% of all results below 3.5 are false positives - obviously, the lower the number, the better the chance it's false, so it would be worth it to confirm.
Does your fiancee know? If she doesn't, you should tell her. I don't think she's at big risk, but if you've been intimate, she could test, and it will build trust between you if you are honest with her. If my partner were going through this, and didn't tell me, I'd wonder what he was hiding.
We know that about 50% of all results below 3.5 are false positives - obviously, the lower the number, the better the chance it's false, so it would be worth it to confirm.
Does your fiancee know? If she doesn't, you should tell her. I don't think she's at big risk, but if you've been intimate, she could test, and it will build trust between you if you are honest with her. If my partner were going through this, and didn't tell me, I'd wonder what he was hiding.
Yes, so just to clear my first intercourse was with my ex - girlfriend (we only didn't use condom for twice but no symptoms or anything at all) in 2012. After the break up in 2013 I went to college, I had one time intercourse with protection with 4 different ladies in college. There are big time different between the intercourses like a year on each or more.
Yes I cannot hide something like this from her, I love her and I would never put her in any kind of risk. we are very open and I will do anything to protect her. I have posted the question on Terri website so I hope to find some more information and take the other test.
I am also having surgeries every 3 months to fix a perianal fistula and I have setons in place that was a result of glands issue, constipation etc nothing relating to STDs. I am on my 6th surgery and I am constantly fighting the infection so I would think I would get some type of outbreaks but nothing at all.
Yes I cannot hide something like this from her, I love her and I would never put her in any kind of risk. we are very open and I will do anything to protect her. I have posted the question on Terri website so I hope to find some more information and take the other test.
I am also having surgeries every 3 months to fix a perianal fistula and I have setons in place that was a result of glands issue, constipation etc nothing relating to STDs. I am on my 6th surgery and I am constantly fighting the infection so I would think I would get some type of outbreaks but nothing at all.
Wow, you've been through it. I'm sorry you're going through so much.
Yes, that would be surprising that not once in all that you've had no outbreaks if you have it. I'll be interested to hear what Terri says.
Yes, that would be surprising that not once in all that you've had no outbreaks if you have it. I'll be interested to hear what Terri says.
Hi Auntiejessi, so this is what Terri responded:
If you approved getting STD testing, then it is completely reasonable that HSV antibody testing was done. The CDC says that when patients request STD screening, herpes testing should be considered. At an index value of 2.07, there is a 50-50 chance that this is a false positive. You need a herpes western blot to sort this out. You can work with your own provider to get this or I can order it for you via video conference if you wish. I do these on Tuesday mornings and you can sign up on the home page of this website
I’m sorry that you are having these other issues but they are unrelated to herpes
Terri
If you approved getting STD testing, then it is completely reasonable that HSV antibody testing was done. The CDC says that when patients request STD screening, herpes testing should be considered. At an index value of 2.07, there is a 50-50 chance that this is a false positive. You need a herpes western blot to sort this out. You can work with your own provider to get this or I can order it for you via video conference if you wish. I do these on Tuesday mornings and you can sign up on the home page of this website
I’m sorry that you are having these other issues but they are unrelated to herpes
Terri
So she agrees - that's good.
Are you going to push your doctor for it or go through Terri? Either one works, but your insurance may pay for it if you go through your doc.
Hang in there.
Are you going to push your doctor for it or go through Terri? Either one works, but your insurance may pay for it if you go through your doc.
Hang in there.
I am going to see if I can push for my doctor to do it.. it's been a stress. 50-50 I thought the chances could be lowered but I guess not I am just trying to hope for the best. I just don't like how the NP just brushed it off like it was nothing even when I asked if I could get medication for it. He just said we will decide when there is actually a sore.. after me constantly telling him I am worried about passing to my fiancee or future kids.. I am my if it stays with me. Also Auntiejessi thank so much you for being here for support, reading your posts and response has helped a lot.
I will post everything here as I keep going through this situation.
I will post everything here as I keep going through this situation.
Most medical professionals have NO IDEA how to handle herpes, and it's incredibly frustrating.
You won't pass it on to any children you have. For the sake of some education, and not assuming you have it -
Let's say you do have it (which obviously we don't know yet), and your fiancee gets pregnant. The danger to the pregnancy comes in if she gets infected during her 3rd trimester, and obviously, there are ways to prevent that. The other danger for pregnancy is if the mom has an outbreak during delivery. If the mom has herpes, they will usually put her on suppression therapy during her 3rd trimester, and if she has an outbreak during delivery, she will likely have a c-section.
You can even get your partner pregnant and not give her herpes. Again, assuming for a quick minute that you have it, transmission stats for hsv2 for a male to a female:
The transmission rates for hsv2, male to female, over the course of a year, assuming sex 2-3 times a week:
Only avoiding sex during an outbreak - 8-10%
Adding condoms OR daily suppression - 4-5%
Adding condoms AND daily suppression - 2-3%
So if you're trying to get pregnant, and just use suppressive therapy, like Valtrex, there's a 95-96% chance that you won't transmit it over the course of a year.
There's no other way you'd infect a child unless you are having inappropriate sexual contact with that child.
Keep me posted about the testing, and hang in there.
You won't pass it on to any children you have. For the sake of some education, and not assuming you have it -
Let's say you do have it (which obviously we don't know yet), and your fiancee gets pregnant. The danger to the pregnancy comes in if she gets infected during her 3rd trimester, and obviously, there are ways to prevent that. The other danger for pregnancy is if the mom has an outbreak during delivery. If the mom has herpes, they will usually put her on suppression therapy during her 3rd trimester, and if she has an outbreak during delivery, she will likely have a c-section.
You can even get your partner pregnant and not give her herpes. Again, assuming for a quick minute that you have it, transmission stats for hsv2 for a male to a female:
The transmission rates for hsv2, male to female, over the course of a year, assuming sex 2-3 times a week:
Only avoiding sex during an outbreak - 8-10%
Adding condoms OR daily suppression - 4-5%
Adding condoms AND daily suppression - 2-3%
So if you're trying to get pregnant, and just use suppressive therapy, like Valtrex, there's a 95-96% chance that you won't transmit it over the course of a year.
There's no other way you'd infect a child unless you are having inappropriate sexual contact with that child.
Keep me posted about the testing, and hang in there.
Hi Auntiejessi, well went to the doctor and I had to explain to him about the 50-50 chances of this being false positive, he kept scratching his head and he stated that I knew more then him about this... he said he will order the WB and do the test. The information you have provided has helped me a lot and I hope to get to the bottom of this very soon.
From your understanding auntiejessi, from the amount of exposure and sexual partner what are your thoughts and what do you think are my changes of this actually being HSV2?
With daily suppressant, should I only be taking them when I will have intercourse without condoms to conceive or all the time even without any breakouts?
Thank you auntiejessi, you are helping more then my doctor.
From your understanding auntiejessi, from the amount of exposure and sexual partner what are your thoughts and what do you think are my changes of this actually being HSV2?
With daily suppressant, should I only be taking them when I will have intercourse without condoms to conceive or all the time even without any breakouts?
Thank you auntiejessi, you are helping more then my doctor.
"he stated that I knew more then him about this" - at least he admitted it. I think he gets points for that. Most doctors won't admit that, and just keep making more crap up to try to cover it up.
Statistically, you have about a 50% of it being a false positive, based on the number. Based on your risk, I'd bump that up a little, because you haven't had a lot of partners, and your partners aren't high risk. Keep in mind, though, that there are many people who had little risk who have herpes. I don't want to discourage you, or give you false hope.
When was the last time you were sexually active with someone? If it's been more than a few months, then you can take the suppressant daily. If you are trying to reduce transmission, you need to take it at least 5 days in a row prior to having sex, and this will be something you take every day for as long as you are trying to reduce transmission.
I ask about how long it's been because if it's been more than a few months, your body has already developed antibodies. If you are newly infected, valtrex can delay that.
If you don't want to take the medication long term - it's safe to do that for most people - and just want to use condoms for now, that's okay. There's no right or wrong answers here. It's up to you and your fiance, if you have hsv2.
You can take them just to treat outbreaks, too. Totally up to you, whatever you're comfortable with. You also don't need to make that decision now. Do the testing first.
You can read more about treatment options in the herpes handbook - https://westoverheights.com/herpes/the-updated-herpes-handbook/ It's free :) and written by Terri Warren, one of the world's leading experts on herpes.
Statistically, you have about a 50% of it being a false positive, based on the number. Based on your risk, I'd bump that up a little, because you haven't had a lot of partners, and your partners aren't high risk. Keep in mind, though, that there are many people who had little risk who have herpes. I don't want to discourage you, or give you false hope.
When was the last time you were sexually active with someone? If it's been more than a few months, then you can take the suppressant daily. If you are trying to reduce transmission, you need to take it at least 5 days in a row prior to having sex, and this will be something you take every day for as long as you are trying to reduce transmission.
I ask about how long it's been because if it's been more than a few months, your body has already developed antibodies. If you are newly infected, valtrex can delay that.
If you don't want to take the medication long term - it's safe to do that for most people - and just want to use condoms for now, that's okay. There's no right or wrong answers here. It's up to you and your fiance, if you have hsv2.
You can take them just to treat outbreaks, too. Totally up to you, whatever you're comfortable with. You also don't need to make that decision now. Do the testing first.
You can read more about treatment options in the herpes handbook - https://westoverheights.com/herpes/the-updated-herpes-handbook/ It's free :) and written by Terri Warren, one of the world's leading experts on herpes.
Hi Auntijessi, sorry for the late response, just had surgery. Nothing yet from the doc result still waiting - will post when I have some results from him.
It was I think 7 months after I met my fiancé that I had protected intercourse. I only had unprotected intercourse with my first girlfriend in 2012 after that was all protected. With my fiancé was all protected as well
Also that was only twice unprotected, she went to like I said married with kids living her life.
I hope you're healing well from your surgery.
Any results yet? When did you have the test done?
Any results yet? When did you have the test done?
Hello auntiejessi, my result came as follow:
HSV-1 IgG antibody Positive
HSV-2 IgG Anitbody Negative
From the immunoblot - western blot
So if negative, I don’t have it right? He just posted it today it took 4 weeks.
HSV-1 IgG antibody Positive
HSV-2 IgG Anitbody Negative
From the immunoblot - western blot
So if negative, I don’t have it right? He just posted it today it took 4 weeks.
These results indicate prior exposure to Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1.
If Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 is clinically indicated, please
submit another specimen.
If Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 is clinically indicated, please
submit another specimen.
Yes, you have hsv1, which you knew.
It looks like your Western Blot, which is the gold standard here, says you don't have it. It also looks like your hsv2 IgG was also negative?
Congrats!
It looks like your Western Blot, which is the gold standard here, says you don't have it. It also looks like your hsv2 IgG was also negative?
Congrats!
HelloKrs199
Your supplemental test was positive in the beginning but the Negative in Western Bolt from UW?
Good to see this keeps my hope up.
Your supplemental test was positive in the beginning but the Negative in Western Bolt from UW?
Good to see this keeps my hope up.
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
