How do I have a high HSV2 value, (-) partner and no prior sexual history?

[Sarahpleasehelp]

Hello. Any help to my dilemma will be greatly appreciated. I am 25 years old and had no sexual contact until a month ago with one partner. I had a positive HSV2 IgG blood test, index value:4.0. My partner took the IgG blood test and came back negative. We've had no other partners. I retook the IgG the HSV2 index value:3.9. My HSV1 was 0.6 both times. I plan to reorder the test 16 weeks later and the Western Blot.

Is it possible that I can have HSV2 with no sexual history besides my one partner. My mom had me c-section and my sister doesn't have it. My partner and I show no symptoms. Can my index value be so high and be a false positive? Any recommendations on how to better handle this??

[Sarahpleasehelp]

My final update (possibly) since I retook the Western Blot or the paired test. It came out indeterminate again for HSV2 and negative for HSV1. I can understand why testing is not recommended now. It's since there are no guarantee tests out now. I am unfortunately one of those people who will stay indeterminate forever until a better test comes out. I feel frustated since if I decide to get tested after having a partner, there is no way for me to know if I have herpes or not. Unless I have symptoms or feel like paying another $700 ish. I might try the biokit, I might not. It's also expensive as hell for possibly another indeterminate.

For anyone confused or with questions or another indeterminate, feel free to reach out. I may pop in here and there.

[Geminiii]

Hey!
Is indeterminate more of a possible chance to a negative or a positive ? Keep us updated please

[auntiejessi]

I'm so sorry you are going through this.

If you want to continue this, you should talk to Terri Warren. (And I don't blame you if you want to put it to rest for awhile.) You can contact her here for a consult - https://westoverheights.com/now-closed/ (The clinic is closed, but she still does consults.)

If anyone can help, it's her.

Gem - it can go either way. In Sarah's case, since she and her partner were their first partners, it's hard to believe she has it. In your case, since the number was so, so low, it would be more likely to be negative. It just depends on circumstances.

[Jgl7211]

Hsv is very tricky. When I was exposed, I tested positive through my OB and western blot. I tested negative twice through pcr on my private area. I didnt have my first outbreak until oct and I was exposed in June. My symptoms were similar of that I would read on here but also different enough that I still had hope that my result was wrong until I had what I'm sure was my outbreak, I didnt get that swabbed but had been taking valtrex and once I stopped was when it came full force. Please keep us posted.

[Sarahpleasehelp]

Thank you for posting. I thought I had my first outbreak a few weeks ago. I had flu like symptoms (very tired, swollen lymph nodes in my neck, sore throat) but I never saw an outbreak of the lesions. Perhaps that was my OB? Who knows. I haven't taken any valtrex or antiviral medication. It went away on its own too.

[Jgl7211]

I have read on here lots of times that if its herpes,  it normally does not go away on it's own. I have never had bumps or blisters, mine showed up as lesions. Even taking anti viral I am in a constant state of burning. I dont think I ever got flu like symptoms but as my period was approaching I was getting awful night sweats. I just have burning, tingling, swollen nodes in the area you normally get period cramps and oddly the one near my breast. Makes the vein in my breast blow up.

[Sarahpleasehelp]

My Western Blot results were HSV1 negative and HSV2 indeterminate. After seeing the results myself, I realized that this test is not FDA approved, although CDC recommends it as confirmatory testing.  [1]
As a medical professional myself, I feel silly for not remembering to check if it was FDA approved, although that doesn't necessarily mean it should never be used. It just wasn't tested through an approval process.

I plan to get the paired testing (a second WB) and see how this turns out. If it's indeterminate again, I plan to find a biokit.

Tips for Confirmatory Testing:

I recommend the biokit. It is FDA approved and CDC also recommends it for confirmatory testing. Heck it's also cheaper and less time to obtain results. [1 , 2]

Wait AT LEAST 4 months before testing with the WB the first time. It MIGHT save you money and time waiting to take the 2nd test. (2nd test costs around ~$100)

Trust yourself and as hard as it may sound, concentrate on bettering yourself/your life as you wait those 4 months. Researching to figure out your next move is one thing, excessively researching to ease your anxiety will make you more anxious down the road.  

Finally, take EVERYTHING you hear with a grain of salt, even mine.  

1.https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/qa/herpes-qa.htm
2. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scrIpts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfRL/rl.cfm?start_search=1&showList=1&establishmentName=&regNum=&StateName=&CountryName=&OwnerOperatorNumber=8030752&OwnerOperatorName=&ProductCode=&DeviceName=&ProprietaryName=&establishmentType=&PAGENUM=10&SortColumn=EstablishmentName20%25ASC&RegistrationNumber=

[Sarahpleasehelp]

An update, currently I'm hoping the lab sent my kit (plan to call UWash tomorrow) and I'll just have to play the waiting game.

For my first kit, my gynecologist office threw out the box and icepack, didn't realize until the day I came in that their lab couldn't do this kit, did not read the packet or help with finding a lab. Ultimately we had to re-order a kit and I found a lab willing to draw my blood and send it out. Manchester Blood Draw Lab ECHN in CT can do this, for anyone in or near CT. I should've asked what shipping company they use before buying a preprinted label, but I used USPS. It came up to about $40.

What really worries me is if this Western Blot from UWash is actually legit. No one has heard of it and the blood draw lab was surprised it didn't come with a pre-printed label already. Also, sometimes when I'd call the UWash number about the Western blot, a message would play saying they're closed. And I would call during business hours. Mind you, I'd call around 9 AM so I know it's also not a lunch break. If CDC didn't mention the Western Blot from UWash, I wouldn't believe them.

I'll be sure to let any skeptics know if I got scammed or not, assuming they see this. Let's pray my box was shipped for tomorrow.

IF YOU ORDER THIS, KNOW WHAT TO TELL EVERY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. FOR THEY MAY NOT CARE TO READ THE PACKET.

[TooHip1973]

Many doctors aren’t aware of the Western Blot because they simply don’t look into hsv diagnostics. Doctors don’t see sores, so they don’t even bother with a blood test. On top of that, MANY still recommend an IGM, which shows how behind the times they are!
Because the Blot is performed as a research tool through a medical school, it’s not like going to a national lab like Quest. This test is one of their specialties, where as Quest and Labcorp run hundreds of different tests.
Keep in mind also, I’m sure you do, that UofW is 4 hours behind CT. I’ve spoken to people at the Virology clinic directly.
The director the Virology Lab is a well known doctor deeply involved in HSV research. Her name is Anna Wald. You can read quite a bit about her online.
Let me add this...I saw an ID doctor who is also the Dean of medicine at a local university. He knew the test well and knew the people at the Virology department at UofW. That gave me a lot of confidence that he would know STD testing far better than any OBGYN or PCP. With the latter, this is not an area or expertise and, honestly, concern.

[Sarahpleasehelp]

Yeah, I forgot about the timezone difference so that does account for the voicemail. I also agree that there are probably a lot of doctors who don't keep up with new information. Although, I did realize that the Western Blot isn't FDA approved. The university may specialize in virological diseases but my doctor's office and I received rehashed information from interpretation of my results, indeterminate. They basically restated what was on my results.

[Sarahpleasehelp]

An update, currently I'm hoping the lab sent my kit (plan to call UWash tomorrow) and I'll just have to play the waiting game.

For my first kit, my gynecologist office threw out the box and icepack, didn't realize until the day I came in that their lab couldn't do this kit, did not read the packet or help with finding a lab. Ultimately we had to re-order a kit and I found a lab willing to draw my blood and send it out. Manchester Blood Draw Lab ECHN in CT can do this, for anyone in or near CT. I should've asked what shipping company they use before buying a preprinted label, but I used USPS. It came up to about $40.

What really worries me is if this Western Blot from UWash is actually legit. No one has heard of it and the blood draw lab was surprised it didn't come with a pre-printed label already. Also, sometimes when I'd call the UWash number about the Western blot, a message would play saying they're closed. And I would call during business hours. Mind you, I'd call around 9 AM so I know it's also not a lunch break. If CDC didn't mention the Western Blot from UWash, I wouldn't believe them.

I'll be sure to let any skeptics know if I got scammed or not, assuming they see this. Let's pray my box was shipped for tomorrow.

IF YOU ORDER THIS, KNOW WHAT TO TELL EVERY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. FOR THEY MAY NOT CARE TO READ THE PACKET.

[Sarahpleasehelp]

I took a final IgG blood test today in hopes it may have come out negative and save me $226 from the blot. I received a 3.4 for HSV2 IgG and plan to get the Western Blot next Monday. Monday marks my 12 week post exposure.

I still have not shown any hallmark symptoms of herpes and am more hopeful.

I am still open to any ideas or comments!

[TooHip1973]

Keep us posted Sarah! With only one sexual partner, who has only had you as a partner, this should be a slam dunk negative.

[Rmd9090]

That is a head scratcher, but it is possible your one of the unlucky ones that has oral hsv2

[Sarahpleasehelp]

I'm mostly upset that it might've came from sharing drinks/food with family, which is virtually impossible! Yet, I can't explain why my score would be so high. It gets me down sometimes since my guy is husband material. Depending on how the blot goes, I'm not sure what will happen. But I do appreciate the response!

[Mavroni]

For the most accurate results you should wait 12 weeks from your last time you had sex. It seams odd to have a high hsv2 index value at 4.0 just a month after first sexual contact. How long apart were the blood tests you did? It’s a good sign that the second one didn’t went up, it was actually lower, not by much but still..
Usually takes time to build antibodies. It’s recommended to wait 12 weeks for accurate results. Let us know what the WB result is. Good luck!

[Rmd9090]

The wb test is your best bet. But it for sure doesn't make sense that you have it and your partner doesn't with no other sexual partners. It's also possible his negative is a false negative. There's a recent study that shows about 8% of hsv2 positives are missed but igg tests. Also about 50% of positive hsv2 results are false positives. So odds are in your favor.

[Rmd9090]

Sorry not 50% of all positives. 50% of low positives. Which is typically under 3.5

[Sarahpleasehelp]

My first result was 5 weeks after sexual contact (4.0) and the second result was a week after the first so 6 weeks post exposure (3.9). We only rubbed genital regions, there was no penetration. I plan to wait 16 weeks since I've seen 12  or 16 weeks post exposure for testing. I'm stumped on why it's so high as well. Thank you for the information. I do know false positives around 4.0 are possible but rare. I will let you all know my result late October/ early November.

I wondered if he received a false negative as well, but he did get two negative blood tests around the same times as mine.

[Rmd9090]

I wouldn't wait for the 12 week retest because the same test produced similar results. I would go ahead to do a wb test for confirmation

[TooHip1973]

Good luck! Let us know how it goes. If you’ve only had one sexual partner in your entire life, and they’ve only had you as a sexual partner in their life, it’s more than likely a false positive. Best of everything

[Sarahpleasehelp]

Thank you for the support. I'm hoping the same as well. It's only that high level making me wonder.

[Sarahpleasehelp]

Alright. I plan to update this forum incase it may help others.

8/22 My gynecologist's office contacted UWashington for the Western blot. They plan to draw and ship my blood in their office.  I'm told to bring a check of $226.85 to send off with my blood to UWash. The kit should come in the next 3-5 days.

Unsure if it will be covered on my insurance (BlueCross BlueShield, Silver Plan). Apparently the test is not applied to your insurance, but you have to see if your insurance will cover after paying. The test also has to be a medical necessity. Mine says they'd cover 70% out of state and non network.

For anyone who wants to see if insurance covers this test, I was given CPT codes and a diagnosis code to see if my insurance would cover it. It didn't help me tho.

CPT codes: 86695 or 86696
Diagnosis code: B00.9

[Sarahpleasehelp]

Just to be clear, I had a positive IgG blood test (4.0) 1 month AFTER genital contact with my first and monogamous partner.