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HSV2 IgG Positive but Biokit Negative

Hello MedHelp Forums,

Once a year I do a full STD Panel at my local clinic, just to be safe as I am a sexually active male. I had my yearly test on October 14th, 2014 which is also when my blood was drawn to test for HSV 1, HSV 2, and HIV. I came back into the office for my results - expecting nothing bad as usual. But, when the doctor went through my results she told me I tested positive for HSV 2. I was not, nor have ever experienced any symptoms. I have had a redish patch of skin near the head on the underside of my penis for awhile (Which would get inflammed after sex with a condom). However, I had both a STI/STD medical professional and dermatologist examine it and both assured me it wasn't a STD of anything kind. I can't recall what the dermatologist diagnosed it has but he did say it simply just needs to heal.
So, blood drawn on October 14th.
Results delivered on October 23rd:
     HSV 1 = 0.91  
     HSV 2 = 2.38
The test that was conducted was an HSV 1 and 2-Specific Ab, IgG

Needless to say I was mortified. And it didn't help that my doctor had as much bedside manner as Dr. Cox from Scrubs. She even inquired why I get tested once a year by asking "Is this something your friends do? I am just trying to understand."

I have never had a scare like this in my life. I always use protection and I kept telling myself "There is just no way." I was tested at the same clinic in early February 2014 and I came back clean.

So, on the day the I got the results I ordered a retest right then and there (Still October 23rd). They drew my blood again and told me my results would be in sometime next week.

In the mean time I jumped online and found the MedHelp forums and began researching and reading about HSV 2 testing. From my research I became aware of the potential false positives, Western Blot being the gold standard, the herpes community believing the positivity scale being raised to >3.5, the whole nine - which gave me a tiny bit of hope.

After hours of research I decided to have a Biokit done at the BellFlower clinic in my area the following morning, October 24th. I barely slept, woke up early and went to the clinic they did my test - which only takes around 30 minutes. The nurse brought me back to go over my results and she told me I was negative for HSV2 and HIV. I couldn't believe it.

Biokit October 24th - Negative.

Fast forward a week and I get the results back from the retest from the previous clinic.

Results - October 30th and once again the IgG HSV 2 came back positive, again in the low 2s.

No one at my original clinic, not even the doctor, has ever heard anything about the false positives, the western blot, etc. So I really couldn't get any relevant information from them.

I don't know what to think of my results. My plan as of now is to have the Western Blot done sometime in January/February of next year. Around 16 weeks from now.

The uncertainty is what is killing me... I just wish I knew. Maybe someone of these forums can help me out - let me know if you need more details from my story.

Thank you.
11 Responses
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3149845 tn?1506627771
Hi and welcome. So let me get this clear. You tested in the 2s then tested negative then tested in the 2s againd. All appearance this would be another false positive since you did test negative once. If there was no sexual contact between tests, you can feel confident that its was another false positive. Low positive infer a false positive or a recent infection.

Have the WB test to confirm this.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your reply.

I was sexually active between my first test, on October 14th, and my results/retest on October 23rd - all protected sex. And yes, my Biokit test on the 24th came back negative.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
What other advice can you give me knowing my situation?

Should I remain abstinent until my Western Blot test?
Helpful - 0
101028 tn?1419603004
how long had it been prior to your first herpes igg blood test that you had last had sex?

do you have a regular partner?

is it likely you are having continued false positives? It can be. I think getting the WB in a few months is the best idea at this point.

should you abstain until then? Totally up to you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Grace thank you for the reply.

To answer your first question - The most recent sexual encounter, before my first IgG blood test was on October 7th. The first IgG test was on October 14th.

To answer your second question -  I have had a regular partner since September 27th which is the first time we had unprotected oral sex and protected intercourse.

Between my first IgG blood test on October 14th and my IgG retest on October 23rd I had sex with her twice - once the night before my IgG retest on Ocotber 22nd.

October 24th is when I had my Biokit done and it came back negative.

Again, I show no symptoms and I was completely clean in early February when I had the full STD panel done at the same clinic.

Are there any, I guess, benefits to abstaining until my Western Blot? I have read in the forum some people do. Also, how much or little contact is needed to contract HSV 2?

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
bump
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Grace thank you for the reply.

To answer your first question - The most recent sexual encounter, before my first IgG blood test was on October 7th. The first IgG test was on October 14th.

To answer your second question -  I have had a regular partner since September 27th which is the first time we had unprotected oral sex and protected intercourse.

Between my first IgG blood test on October 14th and my IgG retest on October 23rd I had sex with her twice - once the night before my IgG retest on Ocotber 22nd.

October 24th is when I had my Biokit done and it came back negative.

Again, I show no symptoms and I was completely clean in early February when I had the full STD panel done at the same clinic.

Are there any, I guess, benefits to abstaining until my Western Blot? I have read in the forum some people do. Also, how much or little contact is needed to contract HSV 2?
Helpful - 0
101028 tn?1419603004
if your current partner has been tested to know their herpes status and is negative, you can seek out a WB 4 months after your last partner prior to this one.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
She hasn't been tested. However, as we speak I am experiencing Flu like symptoms - muscle aches, fever, headache, chills, swollen glands in the throat - for about 5 days now. But, no outbreaks, pain urinating, lower back pain (other than from being in bed all day), tingling, etc.

Should I be concerned?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey.
Sorry about your situation. As i am also going through this process of uncertainty. I tested positive on the combined test. However, I'm having doubts if I'm really am positive and is seeking biokit. The place near me in L.A is asking for $300. You said bellflower, I'm assuming L.A? Can you please provide me with information?
Thanks.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Nevermind. Sorry.
Helpful - 0
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