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Low Positive - 1.36 No Symptoms

Good afternoon,

I have just received results from a full panel STD check. All tests came back negative with the exception of HSV-2, which was at a 1.36. , HSV-1 was a .49. When speaking with my healthcare professional she indicated my test showed me positive for exposure, however since the ailment has never manifested itself, and I have never shown symptoms, prophylactic or antiviral measures are not necessary. My discussion with her focused on when it could have been transmitted to me, does exposure mean infection and how reliable is the test. To all questions she had no definitive answers.

My primary concerns are of a false positive result. When I asked to be retested she didn't think it necessary, as slightly over the positive threshold is still positive. I believe she will oblige me with additional testing, but I need to be armed with as much reliable information as possible when having our next conversation. It should be reiterated that I have had no symptoms, no unexplained rashes, bumps, soreness or aches in my genitalia, the test was given at my request as I noticed my last "full" screening did not include HSV testing. I was in two long term, monogamous relationships and always practice protected sex, my two most recent sexual encounters were both protected as well.

Thank you.
Best Answer
3149845 tn?1506627771
Hi, its certainly falls into the false positive range and in need of retesting if you took the test 3 months post exposure. Low positives could be a false positive or a recent infection.
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Avatar universal
Thanks, when speaking to my physician she said that my only option was a repeat blood test. I'll take it, but feel it to be moot. I do not know what my next plan of action will be or should be other than contacting the two gentlemen to advise they get tested.
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Avatar universal
And exposure was never a question, I never thought that one of my partners was positive. I requested the test because I had never been tested for it.
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3149845 tn?1506627771
Why would another test be moot? Thats a very low positive unless you feel you recently was exposed to it.
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Avatar universal
If there was indeed transmission, I'm positive who it came from. I hate admitting I feel defeated speaking with my physicians responses are more along the lines of poor you, rather than performing accurate testing. I still remain symptom free, and hopeful this is a big miscommunication of results rather than an accurate diagnosis. I have requested the western blot along with a second blood test.
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3149845 tn?1506627771
Did you test 3 month post any exposure?
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Avatar universal
Yes, testing was performed at the 90 day mark coincidentally, but not due to fear of contraction. I should consider myself proactive for actually requesting the test as so many don't, or just assume the are negative due to the absence of symptoms. I'm 72 hours into diagnosis and I'm in shock and dealing with a lot of emotions.
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3149845 tn?1506627771
If you tested at 90 days with a value of  1.36 i would feel confident that its a false positive. It should be around 3 plus at that time but of course does depend on a person ability to generate antibodies.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your guidance. I have requested retesting and the western blot blood test. In 2-3 weeks I will follow up with the results regardless of status. I'm hopeful it is a false positive.
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Avatar universal
Update:

I have retested, twice. In August my result was 1.61. As of last week my result was .29 - negative. I'm more confused than before. My doctor said it's probably just a low viral load that was undetectable this time but I should accept I'm positive. My retort was how is the test useful if depending on the luck of the draw you can test positive or negative. What are my next steps, she's offered to test me again in 3-6 months.
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3149845 tn?1506627771
Hi, since youve had 2 low positives and a recent negative all you can do is test one more time. Have the Western Blot for final confirmation.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the quick response.
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Avatar universal
All these tests are definitely for IgG antibodies?

Note that the tests measure your antibodies and not viral load.

If so then I would really feel there is enough evidence here to confirm your negative status. Values in the range 1.1 to 3.5 are not uncommon for such a sensitive test.

Your most recent test result of 0.29 is not only low, but is most likely at the control minimum level for this particular test batch. This means you have zero antibodies for HSV2, not low, but zero. This does not happen for people who carry the virus.

The Westernblot is the best confirmation of your status, I have little doubt it will confirm your negative status.
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Avatar universal
Yes, the tests were igg specific. Hsv1 results were negative as well @ .67. While this is relieving news, it's also disheartening because I was dating a positive man who could have actually given it to me. Now I will need to retest in 4-6 weeks. How is it lawful to have a test so faulty used as the primary means of diagnosis.
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Avatar universal
What do you mean so faulty? It is true that perhaps in 10% of tests an incorrect results owing to proteins in our blood, but what can you do? There is the Westernblot for confirmation not to mention swabs of lesions. HSV testing is actually more accurate than many other tests for cancers etc.
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