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How accurate is my HSV 2 blood test?
Hi,
I recently got tested for HSV 2 after 4 months and about 3-4 days of possible exposure through an anonymous sexual encounter, receiving unprotected oral and anal (I was the top; I am a man). Here are the results:
HSV 2 IGG, Type Specific AB
In Range: < 0.9
Index: < 0.9 == Negative
Are these results accurate and reliable? If not, when should I get tested again?
Thanks, everyone!
I recently got tested for HSV 2 after 4 months and about 3-4 days of possible exposure through an anonymous sexual encounter, receiving unprotected oral and anal (I was the top; I am a man). Here are the results:
HSV 2 IGG, Type Specific AB
In Range: < 0.9
Index: < 0.9 == Negative
Are these results accurate and reliable? If not, when should I get tested again?
Thanks, everyone!
Sorry for all the errors… I’m dictating into the phone. Let me reiterate, we cannot order the test ourselves. A doctor has to order it for us. Many doctors are not aware of the test or think that a western blot is just for HIV. That is not the case.
2 Comments
Just to clarify. HSV1 presents itself through oral symptoms, but since I have never experienced any oral symptoms, I shouldn't worry about getting tested for HSV1 unless I'm anxious to find out. I do want to reiterate that the guy I hooked up with did give me unprotected oral and anal sex. Upon reaching out to him, he seemed very worried and got himself tested; negative for everything.
For now, I'll get the urologist to get the symptoms in my urethra examined. Hopefully I get useful information because I've been dealing with these symptoms for a while now and I'm afraid to spread this to someone else, so I've been hesitant on dating someone. I'm sure you can understand when I say I'm pretty over this! Ha.
Thank you again for your advice. I'm fairly new to this area of health and you've been extremely helpful. I'll try to not worry about this after the urology appointment, but I will keep this thread open in case I need more guidance.
For now, I'll get the urologist to get the symptoms in my urethra examined. Hopefully I get useful information because I've been dealing with these symptoms for a while now and I'm afraid to spread this to someone else, so I've been hesitant on dating someone. I'm sure you can understand when I say I'm pretty over this! Ha.
Thank you again for your advice. I'm fairly new to this area of health and you've been extremely helpful. I'll try to not worry about this after the urology appointment, but I will keep this thread open in case I need more guidance.
Let me just say this. If you have kissed more than 3 people in your life, chances are one of them had oral HSV1. Doesn’t mean you caught it, doesn’t mean you didn’t. The thing is, people have an encounter and then weird things begin to happen that they’ve never experienced and it consumes them.
As sexual people, there are always risks attached. And as I’m sure you know, if you decide to go unprotected, especially for anal/vaginal sex, you risk increases.
This is not a “safe sex” talk. Who wants to perform or receive oral with a condom? I know I don’t but we need to take ownership of our sexuality.
I wouldn’t worry about HSV2 from this encounter. Your tests are clearly negative but please, so you don’t fall down the rabbit hole while enjoying your sexuality to the fullest, you remember to look out for you. Whether it’s casual or committed, have at it but there is a lot of protection to be gained by being protected. So maybe this is a little of a safe sex talk.
I wouldn’t worry about hsv in this instance. Whether you want to test further is up to you but see the doc, check for prostatis (so?) and take it from there. You’ll be okay!
As sexual people, there are always risks attached. And as I’m sure you know, if you decide to go unprotected, especially for anal/vaginal sex, you risk increases.
This is not a “safe sex” talk. Who wants to perform or receive oral with a condom? I know I don’t but we need to take ownership of our sexuality.
I wouldn’t worry about HSV2 from this encounter. Your tests are clearly negative but please, so you don’t fall down the rabbit hole while enjoying your sexuality to the fullest, you remember to look out for you. Whether it’s casual or committed, have at it but there is a lot of protection to be gained by being protected. So maybe this is a little of a safe sex talk.
I wouldn’t worry about hsv in this instance. Whether you want to test further is up to you but see the doc, check for prostatis (so?) and take it from there. You’ll be okay!
Of the bumps have been there for a week or longer and have not changed at all, you can rule out hsv as the cause of them. Hsv sores/lesions will form on the skin and over 2-3 days, pop and form an open ulcer. Burning, discharge...while they can point to an hsv infection, it doesn’t last for weeks on end. While everyone experiences symptoms differently, I think you are okay. Molluscum bumps are small, rounded, almost shiny sores. While contagious, they aren’t harmful and can be cleared sometimes with a topical ointment. If that doesn’t work, they can be lasered/shaved off. You are doing the right steps to eliminate causes but I think your HSV2 negative test at 4 months of good.
Check for yeast, which can happen to men. And prosatitis, which could be a source of tingling and irritation.
Check for yeast, which can happen to men. And prosatitis, which could be a source of tingling and irritation.
3 Comments
Yes, they have definitely been there since about three weeks after my encounter. At first I was freaking out because I've never seen bumps down there before.
That makes sense. Since I didn't get tested for HSV1, what do you think my risk is for that? Should I get tested for HSV1?
That's very interesting. Those methods sound...painful. If I were to get rid of them through physical means, i.e. using liquid nitrogen or getting it shaved off, what are the implications if they come back? Would that mean I have something more serious than non-harmful bumps?
As for the yeast and prosatitis, are these things a urologist can check? I was thinking of going to one to hopefully address the tingling and discharge since I didn't get a helpful answer from the family doctor nor the STD clinic.
That makes sense. Since I didn't get tested for HSV1, what do you think my risk is for that? Should I get tested for HSV1?
That's very interesting. Those methods sound...painful. If I were to get rid of them through physical means, i.e. using liquid nitrogen or getting it shaved off, what are the implications if they come back? Would that mean I have something more serious than non-harmful bumps?
As for the yeast and prosatitis, are these things a urologist can check? I was thinking of going to one to hopefully address the tingling and discharge since I didn't get a helpful answer from the family doctor nor the STD clinic.
Hi TooHip,
Haven't heard from you so I wanted to bring this thread up again.
Should I get tested for HSV 1? You had mentioned that my HSV 2 test isn't very indicative of HSV 1, so I was thinking of getting tested for both types sometime next month, bringing the duration since the encounter to about 5 months. Assuming the results for both are negative, is it safe to completely rule out both types of herpes?
I made an appointment with a urologist to get an opinion on the discharge and slight tingling sensation in my urethra. Hopefully I will get better answers.
Haven't heard from you so I wanted to bring this thread up again.
Should I get tested for HSV 1? You had mentioned that my HSV 2 test isn't very indicative of HSV 1, so I was thinking of getting tested for both types sometime next month, bringing the duration since the encounter to about 5 months. Assuming the results for both are negative, is it safe to completely rule out both types of herpes?
I made an appointment with a urologist to get an opinion on the discharge and slight tingling sensation in my urethra. Hopefully I will get better answers.
Hi there!
Sorry I missed the follow up on this. With the current IgG test for HSV one, I don’t think there’s anyway to truly it out. It doesn’t matter how far out you test. Unfortunately, the test misses a bulk of infections. There of been people who tested negative for it and then test again for a few weeks later, and are positive. It’s just not very accurate. I do want to say that most HSV one infections stem from childhood. A lot of people are exposed to it when they’re very young, whether it’s kisses from relatives or interaction with other small children. You know kids are constantly putting things in their mouth. And while it’s not transmitted via saliva, it Seems to be easy to pick up in our youth. If you want the most accurate test for HSV one, you want to get the Western blot from the University of Washington. It’s the only place in the country that performs this test. What the Western blot does that the IgG test doesn’t, is it looks for numerous antibodies for HSV-1 and HSV-2. Something like 16 of those antibodies. It’s truly the gold standard test, it’s been studied extensively and exhaustively. The main purpose of a western blot is a confirmatory test for people who test in the low positive range. It has a sensitivity of over 99%. The test cost around $300 to have run. You have to call the University of Washington and order the test kit yourself. Then you have to have a doctor sign the requisition form to have the task performed. We can order the test ourselves. Then you have to have your blood drawn and spun and the server am separated so I can be overnighted, in an ice pack, to the university. It’s a bit labor-intensive to have done, expensive, and not that easy to find labs that will return a blood sample to you. But it’ll give you the most clarity, and peace of mind. Consider it an option. Though if I was in your shoes, I wouldn’t necessarily be worried very much. It doesn’t sound like your symptoms are related to HSV in any form and, considering over half the population has HSV one, What wouldn’t really change? I’ve never had any oral symptoms, you would never even know. Now I’m not saying that disclosing is not important and knowing your status doesn’t matter, it does. But at the same time, it’s such a common virus that I wouldn’t be worried.
Sorry I missed the follow up on this. With the current IgG test for HSV one, I don’t think there’s anyway to truly it out. It doesn’t matter how far out you test. Unfortunately, the test misses a bulk of infections. There of been people who tested negative for it and then test again for a few weeks later, and are positive. It’s just not very accurate. I do want to say that most HSV one infections stem from childhood. A lot of people are exposed to it when they’re very young, whether it’s kisses from relatives or interaction with other small children. You know kids are constantly putting things in their mouth. And while it’s not transmitted via saliva, it Seems to be easy to pick up in our youth. If you want the most accurate test for HSV one, you want to get the Western blot from the University of Washington. It’s the only place in the country that performs this test. What the Western blot does that the IgG test doesn’t, is it looks for numerous antibodies for HSV-1 and HSV-2. Something like 16 of those antibodies. It’s truly the gold standard test, it’s been studied extensively and exhaustively. The main purpose of a western blot is a confirmatory test for people who test in the low positive range. It has a sensitivity of over 99%. The test cost around $300 to have run. You have to call the University of Washington and order the test kit yourself. Then you have to have a doctor sign the requisition form to have the task performed. We can order the test ourselves. Then you have to have your blood drawn and spun and the server am separated so I can be overnighted, in an ice pack, to the university. It’s a bit labor-intensive to have done, expensive, and not that easy to find labs that will return a blood sample to you. But it’ll give you the most clarity, and peace of mind. Consider it an option. Though if I was in your shoes, I wouldn’t necessarily be worried very much. It doesn’t sound like your symptoms are related to HSV in any form and, considering over half the population has HSV one, What wouldn’t really change? I’ve never had any oral symptoms, you would never even know. Now I’m not saying that disclosing is not important and knowing your status doesn’t matter, it does. But at the same time, it’s such a common virus that I wouldn’t be worried.
If you’ve had nothing in the way of symptoms, haven’t taken any antiviral medications, an HSV2 IgG is pretty darn accurate. About 92-95% in fact. It’s not a great test for HSV1 but when it comes to HSV2, I think you are okay. Play safe and enjoy life!
1 Comments
Hi TooHip. Thank you for the response!
I don’t believe I’ve been experiencing any symptoms that point to herpes, according to multiple visits to a family doctor and a STD clinic. However, I do believe I have symptoms of something.
I have two painless bumps on my penis that, I think, resemble pimples. They showed up about 3 weeks after the encounter. They haven’t gotten bigger, they aren’t sores or blisters, etc. They’re kind of just there. Doctors at the STD clinic have ruled out herpes by physical examination. Instead, they believe it’s something called molluscum.
There is also penile discharge, which I don’t believe is caused by herpes. Then again, I don’t know much about STDs so I could be completely wrong.
There used to be irritation and burning sensations in my genital area and buttocks, but that has subsided for a bit now.
Lastly, I’m experiencing this weird tingle in my urethra. I’ve searched these symptoms online and, besides the irritation and burning that has gone away, none of these symptoms point to herpes. Again, I could be wrong so please chime in if you can!
As for medication, I was prescribed 4 tablets (1 gram) of azithromycin back on March 16th. Nothing else.
Should I be doubly sure by getting tested for HSV 1 and 2 sometime in the near future, based on these details?
I want to be as thorough as possible, hence the long response. Again, thank you for your response. I’m not 100% confident yet, but I am starting to believe that I haven’t caught anything that’s not curable.
I don’t believe I’ve been experiencing any symptoms that point to herpes, according to multiple visits to a family doctor and a STD clinic. However, I do believe I have symptoms of something.
I have two painless bumps on my penis that, I think, resemble pimples. They showed up about 3 weeks after the encounter. They haven’t gotten bigger, they aren’t sores or blisters, etc. They’re kind of just there. Doctors at the STD clinic have ruled out herpes by physical examination. Instead, they believe it’s something called molluscum.
There is also penile discharge, which I don’t believe is caused by herpes. Then again, I don’t know much about STDs so I could be completely wrong.
There used to be irritation and burning sensations in my genital area and buttocks, but that has subsided for a bit now.
Lastly, I’m experiencing this weird tingle in my urethra. I’ve searched these symptoms online and, besides the irritation and burning that has gone away, none of these symptoms point to herpes. Again, I could be wrong so please chime in if you can!
As for medication, I was prescribed 4 tablets (1 gram) of azithromycin back on March 16th. Nothing else.
Should I be doubly sure by getting tested for HSV 1 and 2 sometime in the near future, based on these details?
I want to be as thorough as possible, hence the long response. Again, thank you for your response. I’m not 100% confident yet, but I am starting to believe that I haven’t caught anything that’s not curable.
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
