Negative HSV 1 / Low Positive HSV 2

[jjk123]

I don't have any symptoms, but had a routine STD test. Everything came back negative except for HSV 2:

HSV 1 and 2 - Specific Ab, IgG
- HSV 1 IgG, Type Spec: <0.91 Reference Range: 0.00-0.90
- HSV 2 IgG, Type Sepc: 1.24 Reference Range: 0.00-0.90

Since I was diagnosed I was prescribed suppressants which I've been taking for a few weeks. I've never had any symptoms. Is there a chance the results were a false positive? Should I retest?

[Life360_Dave]

Testing requires some degree of interpretation  and this is where the false positive rates develop. It is recommended a different test be performed if the first test falls below 3.5 on an igG.

[SoThatHappened]

Thank you, Life, but I am still curious about the answer, and I don't think it's a moot point at all. I'll get tested in a few weeks again. In the meantime, I'm just curious.

Jjk, let me know what you think!  :-)

[Life360_Dave]

The only answer to your question is to retest. Trying to figure out what causes a false positive is a mute point.

[SoThatHappened]

Yes, I know.  That's why I'm asking if he had a past history with it, because it seems like most false positives are from having HSV1 as well, or a past shingles case. As I asked in my own question on the forum, I'm wondering what OTHER reasons there could be for false positives, and if its common to have false positives WITHOUT the history of shingles or HSV1 (I have had neither)

[Life360_Dave]

Shingles is also a strain of herpes

[SoThatHappened]

Hey jjk123!

I just wanted to ask if you had any previous shingles outbreaks?

I know i just got my tests back and your situation sounds like mine (with HSV1 being negative and HSV2 being 1.15), and it's freaking me out a bit.  From what I can tell, most false positives are caused by either having HSV1 (which you dont have) or having a past case of the shingles.  

I was just curious if the shingles could have been a reason for the false positive, or if there were any other reason you could think of.  

Thanks!

[ehbeedub]

Grace is no longer moderating this forum, but if it has been more than 6 months since your last exposure, you can trust the WB and move on!

[jjk123]

Hey Grace,
My WB test came back negative!

Is it safe to move on from this nightmare? How accurate are these results?

[gracefromHHP]

no it doesn't always go up significantly. it doesn't keep going up over a lifetime either  which is why the confirmatory testing for the low positives is helpful.

[jjk123]

Thank you. I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday.

But normal, wouldn't the value after 2 months go up more? And after 8 months after possible exposure, if I truly did have it, shouldn't my the value be a lot higher?

Sorry, I'm just looking for something positive / hope to get me through the rest of this week.

Thanks for your time.

[gracefromHHP]

you still need the WB to confirm your low positive. still nothing we can know for sure about your status at this point.

[jjk123]

Hi Grace,
I wasn't able to get a WB test done, but I recently (About 2 months since my last test) I had another HSV 2 test done and the results came back at 1.86

What does this mean? Shouldn't the number be a lot higher by now? Is my body taking a longer time to build the antibodies?

[gracefromHHP]

at this point, you should confirm your status with a herpes WB blood test to see if it's a true positive or not. odds are it's a false positive but it will take more testing to know for sure.

[jjk123]

Thanks for getting back, Grace!

It's probably been about 6+ months

[gracefromHHP]

how long prior to testing had you last had sex?

grace