IVIG and false positive HSV

[sindiozzy]

My boyfriend is on IVIG treatment (antibody infusions from thousands of donors). Before we are intimate I had him be tested for herpes and he came back positive his numbers were HSV-2 IGG 2.90  He has never had any symptoms and says he is sure it is a false positive from the  anitbodies of his IVIG which he recieves twice a week. I read a study about false-positive serologic results from IVIG therapy and testing positive for HSV-2 being common. Is there any way I can find out if he has herpes without antibody testing? there are no symptoms so there is nothing to be swabbed. Would a PCR blood test give accurate results since that is DNA? Also I am HSV negative, if i went on antivirals would that help prevent me from getting HSV

[auntiejessi]

False positives happen fairly commonly without IVIG antibody treatment.

He should take a Western Blot antibody test - it's better than the IgG test because it looks for all 16 antibodies, not just 1. His doctor can order this, and it is now recommended by the CDC when anyone's IgG is below a 3.5.

https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/herpes.htm

The PCR blood test isn't reliable - it will be negative since herpes isn't found in blood.

There isn't a lot of evidence either way if taking antivirals will prevent you from getting it. Before you do that, your bf should get the Western Blot test.