Understanding Positive HSV 2 results

[tlc19]

I recently had a multi-panel blood test done, and the only one that came back as marked positive was hsv 2. I am slightly confused because the results were shown as follows:

Tests                                 Results    Flag     Units Reference Interval
HSV 2 IgG, Type Spec       1.02        High     index 0.00-0.9

At the bottom, it said I was positive for HSV, but it appears my IgG was only 1.02. Additionally, I have not had any sexual contact for around 8 months, so it would make no sense for this to be a new infection. I also get folliculitis, but have never seen any genital cold soars, so I am having trouble understanding this.

[feelingundone]

I understand and this can be quite frustrating. Retest. If it comes back negative then no worries. If it comes back with another low positive then seek out the western blot from tbe universaty of washington. I can help you cross that bridge if necessary.

[feelingundone]

Anything less than a 3.5 is suspect for a false positive. Not having sex in the last 8 months would surely suggest this is a false positive. If you get oral cold sores, this can affect hsv2 igg bloodtests as well. Hsv2 tests are very sensitive and can pick up odd protiens of similar weight. Think of the value as a confidence number. The higher the number the more confident the twsr is it saw hsv antibodies. Your 1.02 means the test is not confident. Take another igg hsv2 test in a few weeks.  

[tlc19]

Thank you. It said that it recommended another test in 2-4 weeks on the document I received, but the phone call from the clinic said that I was positive for HSV 2. I'm a very mathematical person, and after researching it, I tried to call them back but all they would was something along the lines of "those numbers are for the lab. Don't worry about it. It says you tested positive for HSV 2". And they were unable to answer any type of technical questions on the process, so I was very unsure.