Low positive for HSV2 - should I retest?

[jonasK]

I received the following results from tSTD (tested at LabCorp):
HSV-1 aB IgG: <0.90 Negative
HSV-2 aB IgG: 1.17 H Positive

What does the H next to the HSV-2 result mean?  Should I retest?  Using a different test?  Thanks!

[aroach63]

I'm really stressing out about my herpes test results. The first time I tested, it was only for HSV-2 and I got a weak positive result of 2.1. That was about 4months ago. At that time I have absolutely no symptoms. Last week I got back the test results for another HSV blood test I had done and this time i tested for both type 1 and 2. The results came back positive for HSV-1 and weak positive for HSV-2. The lab said the positive HSV-2 result could be due to crossreactivity since my HSV antibody levels would have definitely seroconverted after 4 months. Any comments? Please help.

[Willieace128]

Im confused- my doc said i was neg for hsv1 but hsv2 pos- said  i was a carrier- whats the difference? What is a carrier? Will i get the sores-etc??

[jonasK]

To close the loop, the Biokit test came back negative.  Yay!

While I am glad I tested negative, I must say that through this experience, I have learned a lot about genital herpes, and the disease itself is far more benign than I had previously thought, and the social stigma is entirely disproportionate to the actual physical effects from infection.

Thanks to everyone who helped me out in this thread.

[jonasK]

I ended up contacting LabCorp's headquarters, and they confirmed that the test # 164905 is the Captia test, so you are correct, they have not changed numbers after switching tests.

[crossing_the_bridge]

actually, the tech i spoke to at labcorp checked the date of the switch from herpeselect to captia, and was rather surprised to find out they hadn't changed the number of the test once the manufacturer had changed.  he surmised it was because they tested for the same thing, and it wasn't worth the effort to change the # when the 2 tests checked for the same thing.

this situation only goes to show - the individual you speak to and/or your persistence does make a difference when attempting to get the answers you seek.

[jonasK]

Grace, thanks for your response.  Since I hadn't heard from you, I ended up posting to the paid forum at pretty much the same time you were responding here.  I provided more detail and asked some additional questions there, so might as well see what the response is there.

I did call Labcorp where I got tested and they just read the test # 164905 off my sheet.  When I asked them if that was HerpeSelect or Captia, they said "neither" and that I'd have to check with my doctor.  Of course my doctor is the tSTD doctor, and they say they use HerpeSelect and the test# they ordered is consistent with that.  I accept your point that it doesn't really matter which of the two tests I was given.  I just think it's a little strange that Labcorp would replace the HerpeSelect test with Captia under the same test # or deliberately use a test different from the specific test the doctor requested.

[gracefromHHP]

As far as I know labcorp isn't offering the herpeselect any more regardless of what their website says or whatever test # was ordered.  If you really want to know you'd have to call the specific lab you were tested at and ask them. regardless - which test was used is a moot point to be honest. You had a low positive that needs confirmed with additional testing regardless of what test you used since you've never had genital symptoms that have cultured + for hsv.

grace

[jonasK]

Also, when I called Labcorp, they said the test # I had was 164905.  From everything I've seen online, that test # is for HerpeSelect.  Unless Labcorp switched that test # to Captia, I think I should assume I was give the HerpeSelect test.

[jonasK]

I've heard about the switchover to Captia, but since tSTD is ordering the test (i.e., I request the test through tSTD, their doctor faxes over the order to Labcorp), Labcorp will use whatever test the doctor requests, correct?

tSTD's site claims to use HerpeSelect ELISA.

[crossing_the_bridge]

as of 2/25/08, labcorp uses captia.  (because focus, the maker of herpeselect, was purchased by quest.)

no need to wait.
no.

[jonasK]

Yeah, I think I will do a retest, probably Biokit.

To any of the experts here:
Since it was 12 weeks since last sexual contact (excluding kissing), is there any point in waiting a month or more to do the Biokit test?

Should I inform my recent partners of my low positive status before I get the results of a confirmatory Biokit test?

[What_to_do_now86]

Thanks Jonas. I was just confused b/c tstd's website specifically says "Herpeselect" but I my PSC was a Labcorp, which to my knowledge uses Captia.

In regards to your question, I would re-test b/c 1.17 is very low. Everything I've read says at least half of everything that low is in fact negative.

[jonasK]

You tested negative for both.  From what I understand you don't get a numerical result if it is <0.90.  I had a negative result 4 years ago, and got exactly the same as you, "<0.90".

If you really care about which test, know that tSTD uses HerpeSelect ELISA IgG.  And you can confirm this by calling the lab and asking them which test # they performed on you.  Should be 164905.

[What_to_do_now86]

I also was tested through TSTD and am confused on this exact matter. I was negative for both, didn't get numerical result just <.90, but am confused on the Captia and Herpeselect issue now.

[jonasK]

Update on the specific test taken:
> tSTD's site (where I ordered the test) says they use HerpeSelect 1 and 2 ELISA IgG

> I also called Labcorp where I had blood drawn and tested, they said the test I had was #164905.  Strangely, when I asked if that was HerpeSelect or Captia, she said 'neither', and to check with the doctor who ordered the test.  I searched the Labcorp website, and it shows test #164905 is an HSV1 and HSV2 IgG ELISA test, though it makes no reference to 'HerpeSelect'.  Online searching shows that test 164905 is HerpeSelect 1,2 ELISA IgG.

So I think I can be confident that even though my test was performed at Labcorp, it was the HerpeSelect ELISA and not the Captia test.  Not sure how that affects interpretation of the results . . .

[jonasK]

Oh, one more question - did you retest for HSV-1 as well?  I saw another thread where someone tested neg for HSV-1 and low pos for HSV-2, and after retesting, came back pos for HSV-1 and neg for HSV-2.

[jonasK]

Thank you Ant, that gives me some hope, though after several hours of research on genital herpes, it seems that it's not as horrible as I imagined it to be prior to researching it.

How long did you wait to retest?  Did you retest using the same IgG test?  And did you have an 'H' next to your HSV-2 figure?

[ant271]

yes u should retest..i had the same results as you with the same exact score for hsv-2 1.17..with hsv-1 negative...retested for hsv-2 and the next test was negative...anything under 3.5 should be retested ....