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Weird Test Results
Recently got a full panel done which included HSV 1 & HSV 2 IgG tests. My HSV 1 test came back as 1.08 and HSV 2 came back <.90. From my understanding 1.08 means equivocal from the guide they gave me but my doctor told me it was positive. So i waited two weeks and got tested outside the doctors office but using the same lab for the results and HSV 1 came back 2.12 & HSV 2 came back <.90, of course this freaked me out and i told my partner to get tested, they did and there's came back negative <.90 for both HSV 1 & 2. We've been in a long term committed relationship for about 5 years now and haven't kissed or did anything sexual with anyone outside of it for this time, neither do I eat/drink behind other people. As for a little background before we started dating with both got full panels done in 2017 and all of our statuses were negative, so i didn't have it prior to our relationship either. Ive had no symptoms such as blisters or bumps around my mouth ever. What is going on exactly? Should i order a different type of test? should i wait more weeks? Currently freaking out and dont know what to do. Side note these were all igG tests done by the same lab.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Of course, you've already figured out that your doctor is wrong and the 1.08 is equivocal, not positive.
Are you sure your "full panel" included herpes? There is actually no such thing as a full panel - it's one of the biggest myths in STD testing, and a full panel means whatever the doctor wants it to mean, even if you say, "Please test me for everything."
Another issue is that the hsv1 IgG misses 30% of infections. Your partner could have it and test negative, consistently.
Whether or not you were tested before, or you are newly infected, or are getting false positives - I don't know. There is a western blot test you can take, but it's expensive, and you can get it through your provider, though I suspect he doesn't know about it, and would fight it if he's calling a 1.08 a positive.
You can also get one through Terri Warren. She's a herpes researcher and former practitioner who offers them, but you'd have to self pay. https://westoverheights.com/getting-a-herpes-western-blot/ (Her site seems to be down at the moment.)
I'd suggest getting copies of your previous tests, first. I'd also ask why it matters. What would it change for you and your partner? You've been together this long, so what would it change?
Are you sure your "full panel" included herpes? There is actually no such thing as a full panel - it's one of the biggest myths in STD testing, and a full panel means whatever the doctor wants it to mean, even if you say, "Please test me for everything."
Another issue is that the hsv1 IgG misses 30% of infections. Your partner could have it and test negative, consistently.
Whether or not you were tested before, or you are newly infected, or are getting false positives - I don't know. There is a western blot test you can take, but it's expensive, and you can get it through your provider, though I suspect he doesn't know about it, and would fight it if he's calling a 1.08 a positive.
You can also get one through Terri Warren. She's a herpes researcher and former practitioner who offers them, but you'd have to self pay. https://westoverheights.com/getting-a-herpes-western-blot/ (Her site seems to be down at the moment.)
I'd suggest getting copies of your previous tests, first. I'd also ask why it matters. What would it change for you and your partner? You've been together this long, so what would it change?
2 Comments
Hey thanks for replying i very much appreciate it,
By full panel i was just trying to summarize we both requested for blood work done specifically for both HSV 1 & 2 and our test results both say as such.
As for the IgG missing 30%, i was going to request that we both get a Western blot done after i get retested after the 12 week mark to confirm whether or not i have HSV 1. (Since thats what ive been seeing on threads regarding how long you should wait to see if your antibodies are high enough)
What frustrates me is that every doctor i talk to just tells me im positive, even when i try to explain that 1.08 is equivocal, 2.12 is a low positive, and i haven't shown signs at all. Its like everything i say doesnt matter....just "You're positive". I recently tried to bring up the western blot but they wont even reply just going back to "You're positive" over and over again.
The reason why it would change so much is a bit complicated, but tldr is it would cause a rift in our relationship whether someone stepped out in the relationship or not (I know you can get it from not being sexually active with someone, like kissing a relative or something), when it comes to trust issue and such. Plus i need to be sure so we can take extra precautions instead of being just gun hoe about everything when it came to just the two of us if you know what i mean. One major point is she didnt ask to given something, so i wont force her to get the gift that keeps on giving, even though i know its just cold sores my guilty conscience would hate myself if i spread it to my partner.
By full panel i was just trying to summarize we both requested for blood work done specifically for both HSV 1 & 2 and our test results both say as such.
As for the IgG missing 30%, i was going to request that we both get a Western blot done after i get retested after the 12 week mark to confirm whether or not i have HSV 1. (Since thats what ive been seeing on threads regarding how long you should wait to see if your antibodies are high enough)
What frustrates me is that every doctor i talk to just tells me im positive, even when i try to explain that 1.08 is equivocal, 2.12 is a low positive, and i haven't shown signs at all. Its like everything i say doesnt matter....just "You're positive". I recently tried to bring up the western blot but they wont even reply just going back to "You're positive" over and over again.
The reason why it would change so much is a bit complicated, but tldr is it would cause a rift in our relationship whether someone stepped out in the relationship or not (I know you can get it from not being sexually active with someone, like kissing a relative or something), when it comes to trust issue and such. Plus i need to be sure so we can take extra precautions instead of being just gun hoe about everything when it came to just the two of us if you know what i mean. One major point is she didnt ask to given something, so i wont force her to get the gift that keeps on giving, even though i know its just cold sores my guilty conscience would hate myself if i spread it to my partner.
"it would cause a rift in our relationship whether someone stepped out in the relationship or not"
If it were chlamydia or syphilis in question, it would be a lot easier to answer this question based on past past results. However, this is hsv1, and the testing for it kinda sucks.
What if she's had it all this time? Usually, if the test misses your infection, it will miss it forever. It won't pick it up later. If you are testing positive now - if this is a new infection - who's to say you didn't get it from her, and that she isn't one of the 30% who missed their infection?
67% of people under 50 globally have hsv1. In the US, it's probably 50%. It's just really hard to avoid. I'm not saying go out and get it, of course, but if it's there, so what?
If she leaves you - or you decide to leave her out of some sense of guilt - she could just date someone else who tests negative but actually has it.
If it were chlamydia or syphilis in question, it would be a lot easier to answer this question based on past past results. However, this is hsv1, and the testing for it kinda sucks.
What if she's had it all this time? Usually, if the test misses your infection, it will miss it forever. It won't pick it up later. If you are testing positive now - if this is a new infection - who's to say you didn't get it from her, and that she isn't one of the 30% who missed their infection?
67% of people under 50 globally have hsv1. In the US, it's probably 50%. It's just really hard to avoid. I'm not saying go out and get it, of course, but if it's there, so what?
If she leaves you - or you decide to leave her out of some sense of guilt - she could just date someone else who tests negative but actually has it.
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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.
