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Recently tested positive for HSV 1 and 2. False positive?
I recently tested positive for HSV 1 and 2. Got tested after having unprotected sex with a new partner and getting what I thought was a ridiculous yeast infection. My doctor looked at the rash and initially stated that she also thought yeast infection and gave me cream that cleared it almost all the way up. I had STD panel run anyway as it had been 2 years since my last. Came back positive with numbers for 1 @ 3.63 and 2 @ 4.49. Have never tested positive and partner states that her last test was negative as well. I am now reading here, and other places, that these numbers could be ‘false positives’? Can anyone with experience speak to this? How often are these tests ‘false positives’ and would the yeast infection be an additional reason as to why it might have been so?
Thank you
Thank you
COMMUNITY LEADER
Are these IgG tests?
If they are, then they are likely not false positives at the numbers you got, unfortunately.
Hsv1 rarely has false positives, and hsv2 false positives are usually below 3.5.
Herpes outbreaks can often be misdiagnosed as yeast infections - did your doctor actually test you for yeast? Since you have hsv1 (which is most likely a long established oral infection like about half the adult population), it would tend to make your genital hsv2 infection milder. Yeast infections can cause a lot of skin irritation, leading to the confusion.
Has your girlfriend seen her results? I ask because quite often, people think their STD testing includes herpes testing, and it doesn't, even if they ask for it specifically, or say they want to be "tested for everything". Many doctors are very uneducated about current herpes testing.
How long have you been together? Have either of you been with other partners prior to this relationship?
You should read the Herpes Handbook at https://westoverheights.com/herpes/the-updated-herpes-handbook/ - it's free, and written by Terri Warren, one of the world's leading experts on herpes.
Let us know what questions you have.
If they are, then they are likely not false positives at the numbers you got, unfortunately.
Hsv1 rarely has false positives, and hsv2 false positives are usually below 3.5.
Herpes outbreaks can often be misdiagnosed as yeast infections - did your doctor actually test you for yeast? Since you have hsv1 (which is most likely a long established oral infection like about half the adult population), it would tend to make your genital hsv2 infection milder. Yeast infections can cause a lot of skin irritation, leading to the confusion.
Has your girlfriend seen her results? I ask because quite often, people think their STD testing includes herpes testing, and it doesn't, even if they ask for it specifically, or say they want to be "tested for everything". Many doctors are very uneducated about current herpes testing.
How long have you been together? Have either of you been with other partners prior to this relationship?
You should read the Herpes Handbook at https://westoverheights.com/herpes/the-updated-herpes-handbook/ - it's free, and written by Terri Warren, one of the world's leading experts on herpes.
Let us know what questions you have.
4 Comments
These are IgG tests. I haven’t asked her if she’s actually seen her results and what she was tested for. As I’m 43 and she’s 32, both previously married, we’ve had other partners. My provider didn’t test me for test infection, just looked at the rash and prescribed a cream for antibiotics and steroid.
We’ve been together about two months, and I had sec with someone else about 6mos prior, but used protection and she says that she’s clean as well. Guess I’ll do some more reading and see what else I can find.
Thank you for your response.
We’ve been together about two months, and I had sec with someone else about 6mos prior, but used protection and she says that she’s clean as well. Guess I’ll do some more reading and see what else I can find.
Thank you for your response.
There's no way to know how long you've had it. It can take up to 4 months to test positive, but many will much sooner than that. If you have previous negative tests, you can narrow it down that way.
You could have had it for years, or gotten it 6 months ago. If your current gf tests negative, you honestly may never know if you haven't tested before.
Hang in there, and we're here for whatever questions you have.
You could have had it for years, or gotten it 6 months ago. If your current gf tests negative, you honestly may never know if you haven't tested before.
Hang in there, and we're here for whatever questions you have.
Can I ask if you know anything about HSV529 or live attenuated HSV-2 ICPO clinical trials for vaccines? I’ve been doing reading, but it does get in the weeds and as a non-member of the medical profession, some journals are not available or I don’t know where to find results of the trials. Thank you
I don't know much about them.
A quick google tells me that HSV529 says it's to "treat" herpes - not "cure". That's an important word difference.
I can't find much on the other one that isn't way over my non-researcher head.
Any kind of vaccine is years away from human use - maybe decades.
Having herpes isn't bad. There's suppressive medications to help reduce transmission and help prevent outbreaks. There are literally millions and millions and millions of people who live absolutely normal lives - full lives - with herpes. They find love, have normal (whatever that is for you) sex lives, have kids, etc. You can, too.
Have you read the Herpes Handbook yet? Do you know how low the transmission rates are? It might be lower than you imagine.
A quick google tells me that HSV529 says it's to "treat" herpes - not "cure". That's an important word difference.
I can't find much on the other one that isn't way over my non-researcher head.
Any kind of vaccine is years away from human use - maybe decades.
Having herpes isn't bad. There's suppressive medications to help reduce transmission and help prevent outbreaks. There are literally millions and millions and millions of people who live absolutely normal lives - full lives - with herpes. They find love, have normal (whatever that is for you) sex lives, have kids, etc. You can, too.
Have you read the Herpes Handbook yet? Do you know how low the transmission rates are? It might be lower than you imagine.
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
