Test Results with HerpesSelect 1 - 2 Test. Quest Diagnostics.

[Robert89]

I have had one really questionable encounter in my life. I slept with a girl I barely knew several times over the course of four or five days in February of 2009. We didn't use a condom any of those times. Stupid.

So, I realized that I was going to have to get tested. In September of that year, I got a test for Herpes, which was the main worry. I'm not sure why exactly I was worried, because I had no symptoms, however, I wanted to be sure because I'm just that way.

So this test, seven months after my last sexual encounter, came back negative for both H1 and H2. I breathed a sigh of relief and went on with my life. Since then, I've only slept with one person (and I slept with her once) and we used a condom. So we're talking three years of virtual celibacy. Also: zero symptoms during this entire time. I suppose I should just say that I have never had any symptoms of any type of herpes.

Fast forward to now. I want the test again, because I'm thinking about asking this girl out, and I want to take every precaution. I have a blood test done for HIV, and both types of Herpes. The test was HerpeSelect 1-2 administered by Quest Diagnostics. I'll assume that you're familiar with how this test is calibrated, I myself have only a shaky grasp on it.

HIV: negative
H1: negative
H2: 1.3 (positive)

The floor fell out under my legs. I didn't understand. The Nurse Practicioner said that I have herpes. She also said that some people are asymptomatic. Ok. Maybe that's me. But from what I've read, this 1.3 is a relatively low number, and considering my situation (a negative on the test before, seven months after possible encounter, plus only an isolated, protected, sexual encounter since then) I decided to fork up another $35 and get the test again. I had the test done exactly one week after the initial test.

I just received the results, and they're the same.

H1: negative
H2: 1.3

So I guess I have herpes. The likelihood of two false positives? Probably astronomical. It was also pretty telling that they were both the same exact score. I guess also that I'm asymptomatic. I suppose that the first of the three tests was either a false negative, or the herpes took longer than seven months to appear in the test. I requested a Western Blot test, or some kind of confirmatory testing on this score, and Quest said that they check every score with something like a Western Blot, but the Nurse Prac. who has led me through the process had told me it's not technically a western blot. (She seemed a little vague on the subject.)

If this is herpes, then it's nothing. This is a non issue for me. It's not even a nuisance. I'm asymptomatic. The problem, of course, lies in my worry of transmitting it to others, as I understand that no matter what your symptoms (or lack thereof) are, you can still infect someone.

My questions are: does anything about this seem strange to you? Have anyone of you had a similar experience, or treated someone like this? Do I have to tell everyone I sleep with that I have herpes? Does the low score mean I'm less likely to pass the virus on? Using a condom, what are my chances for passing this on?

Finally: Is a 1.3, on this test, an ironclad, "You have Herpes"? I'm just skeptical. Maybe you can understand.

I'm distraught. Can someone help me?

Kind regards and best wishes

[Thething87]

Hello guys, I am in the same boat as Rob. After having safe protected sex 5 months ago, I had 2 consecutive hsv blood test. I was hsv1-negative on both tests and hsv-2 at 1.24 1st test and hsv-2 1.19 2nd test. Right now I am having significant difficulty on getting the Western Blot test and my doctor refuse to have me get that test done even though its the gold standard test. Someone please help me with some advice and whats my chance that this is a false positive?

[bobrope45]

Not really. False-positives (the low positives) appear for no specific reason. They are mostly associated with also positive hsv1 results, yes, but many negative hsv1 people also have problems with low positives being false-positives.

The WB will tell the story. Just wait 3-4 months after your last exposure to get it.

[Robert89]

Thank you all very much for your responses! It is heartening to hear, but also a little disconcerting - as a I feel I haven't been given the whole story by some medical professionals.

I'm making an appointment with an infectious diseases doctor to talk about this, and the western blot.

Some questions until then: doesn't it seem strange that there was a negative before the positives? Also what about getting a negative on the H1 part, while a positive on the H2 part?

What do you think?

Thanks,

R

[gracefromHHP]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/low-positives---confirmatory-results/show/1097724?personal_page_id=873762  is an ongoing post we have here on the forum that hopefully will help you better understand why odds are , you really don't have hsv2.

[petal130]

This is a community forum - we all give support based on solid knowledge we've gained - not guessed at - from sources that are experts in the field. And, in my case (and Grace's, and others), we actually have genital herpes.

Grace's advise is very sound, and in fact she knows her stuff about herpes. No one here is going to flash any credentials as it's a user to user forum. If you want to, you can pay on the expert's forum with either Terri Warren or Dr.'s Hook / Handsfield. You'll find they are very aware and supportive of Grace's presence and knowledge here. And, in this instance you'll get identical advice.

Your tests are all a very low positive, and there's a better chance than not you are negative. As Grace said you would need a Western Blot to sort things out. But most likely her donut challenge is quite in her favor :-)

[Robert89]

I am really going to have to put this the right way, because I am worried that it will come off poorly. This is not sarcastic; it is completely sincere. I just need to know.

With ALL due respect: can you tell me what your credentials are? Why are you so sure - and why should I trust you?

Please take this as gently as I intend it. I'm sorry for any offense. Really

R

[gracefromHHP]

yes you do dear.

buy me a dozen donuts when it comes back negative :)

[Robert89]

I want to make sure that you've seen that I've had 3 tests total, with the latest 2 saying I'm positive, right? That's two positive results. Do I really need a western blot?

[gracefromHHP]

actually no it's not likely you have hsv2 with such a low hsv2 igg. At this point you'll need to seek out a herpes WB test to confirm your status. Quest labs it's test #34534. it's a send out to the U of washington if your local quest lab is having a hard time finding the test in their catalog.  

grace