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Research into low positives
First of all, thank you all so much for the work you do on these boards - without them I'd be lost!
I have read almost every post on this site that relates to low positive issues, but my doctor refuses to acknowledge the issue and simply tells me that I have "definitely been exposed" (I know how misinformed this statement is). I want to make her aware of the low positive issues, but it needs to be from a widely respected academic source - would anyone be able to point me in the direction of a peer-reviewed medical journal that highlights these issues? I would love to know of any academic links that highlights this. I've also searched the FDA and the CDC websites but not found any information. I would be grateful for any links that might be helpful.
I originally had the herpes test to rule it out when I had a genital ulcer (and a mouth full of ulcers - I have subsequently been diagnosed as Behcet's Syndrome, which it is believed caused the genital ulcer). The herpes test was taken 8 months after my last sexual encounter and have had no sexual contact whatsoever since.
I fell into the "low positive" category:
HSV1 IgG: 1.13 Positive
HSV2 IgG: 1.26 Positive
I live outside the US, so do not have the option of the Western Blot. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I see no point in repeat IgG testing, which is costly and more than likely to yield the same (or similar) potentially inaccurate result. From what I've read on these forums, it's statistically far more likely that I don't have it, than I do. I have had intercourse three times in my life, and only one of those occasions was unprotected - I consider myself an extremely low risk for HSV2. Would you agree that is an accurate assumption?
I have read almost every post on this site that relates to low positive issues, but my doctor refuses to acknowledge the issue and simply tells me that I have "definitely been exposed" (I know how misinformed this statement is). I want to make her aware of the low positive issues, but it needs to be from a widely respected academic source - would anyone be able to point me in the direction of a peer-reviewed medical journal that highlights these issues? I would love to know of any academic links that highlights this. I've also searched the FDA and the CDC websites but not found any information. I would be grateful for any links that might be helpful.
I originally had the herpes test to rule it out when I had a genital ulcer (and a mouth full of ulcers - I have subsequently been diagnosed as Behcet's Syndrome, which it is believed caused the genital ulcer). The herpes test was taken 8 months after my last sexual encounter and have had no sexual contact whatsoever since.
I fell into the "low positive" category:
HSV1 IgG: 1.13 Positive
HSV2 IgG: 1.26 Positive
I live outside the US, so do not have the option of the Western Blot. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I see no point in repeat IgG testing, which is costly and more than likely to yield the same (or similar) potentially inaccurate result. From what I've read on these forums, it's statistically far more likely that I don't have it, than I do. I have had intercourse three times in my life, and only one of those occasions was unprotected - I consider myself an extremely low risk for HSV2. Would you agree that is an accurate assumption?
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Herpes/low-positives---confirmatory-results/show/1097724#post_5968138 ; is a prior post we have that is ongoing here on the forum. links to all sorts of info in that and I believe the graph from the study he is referencing is in there too.
Thank you Grace.
I've read somewhere (I think in one of H. Hunter Handsfield's posts) that a positive as low as mine gives me a 20% chance of bring a true positive - do you know where that figure come from?
Many thanks!
I've read somewhere (I think in one of H. Hunter Handsfield's posts) that a positive as low as mine gives me a 20% chance of bring a true positive - do you know where that figure come from?
Many thanks!
the 2010 cdc herpes guidelines has info on the low positives and need for confirmatory testing.
most likely is a false positive for hsv2 for you.
grace
most likely is a false positive for hsv2 for you.
grace
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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.
