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What are the chances of testing positive for HSV after being single for 3 years?

Last week I went in for my yearly checkup and asked them to do test for STD's. Two days ago nurse called me and said that I tested positive for antibodies and that I was at some point exposed to Herpes. After that she said something about the type of HVS but I was so stunned that I couldn't even hear what she was saying, and frankly didn't know much about it to even understand. I know she mentioned HVS 1 & 2 but that is about all I recall. All I could ask at that moment was What do I need to do now? Her response was:"nothing, just let us know if you have outbreak and we'll give you pills for it". That was our, less than 2min conversation, yet I felt that my whole World just crashed down at that moment.
I am 39 years old, had very few sexual partners in my life but I know, it takes only one just like for pregnancy. My last relationship ended around October of 2014. I haven't been with anyone since nor did I kiss anyone. I never had any symptoms for HSV-2. Occasional itch but even that was more back in my 20's and very, very rarely these days. All my tests prior to this one were negative but I am now wondering if they even did herpes test before or not?

As a kid I had cold sores but haven't had them for at least 10 years now. People in my family have them. Couple weeks ago I felt little bit of tingling feeling at the corner of my lips, on and off for two days. Went away, yesterday I felt it again at the top of my lip but also went away after an hour. No outbreaks.

I just left a message for the nurse because after reading so many posts here I realize I have some questions to ask about that test.

I guess my main question here is how come this antibodies haven't showed on a last few tests they've done, assuming they did test for herpes when they took my blood? How soon after infection would the antibodies show up in my blood (I read about that too but I think I am having an overload of info in my head right now after reading so much about it in last 24hrs)?

Can any provider order Western Blot test? Would there be any reasons for my OBG to refuse to do it?
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Avatar universal
My Dr., her head nurse and their accounting person all said they never heard of WB test. Nurse said that Solstas/Quest Diagnostic (lab they use) might not allow me to ship blood out of their lab (not 100% sure tho).

However, they said they are willing to help me with it if Dr. order is needed. I'll call University of Washington tomorrow to see if I can order the kit and just have my Dr. sign the form.

I'm wondering if it might be easier and better to go thru Terri at WH due to her experience with WB. Plus my Dr. charged  $150 for today's visit that was 15min consultation, and my insurance doesn't cover anything up to first $5,000. I'll have to see her at least one more time for this.

One thing I'm really confused with is how come my HSV-1 is negative when as a kid I had cold sores. My Dr. said that I might have HSV-2 orally, but I had cold sores way before I had sex with anyone. Shouldn't I test positive for antibodies for HSV-1?
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The HSV IgG is very sensitive for HSV2 and not nearly as accurate for HSV1. The test misses a lot of HSV1 infections. Hopefully feelingundone will chime in again and be able to help you sort this out more. He's very knowledgeable about the testing and its accuracy. My understanding is pre-existing HSV1 can trip the test causing a false positive HSV2. Even when it doesn't catch the HSV1 antibodies.
TooHip1973 I really hope mine is false positive but who knows. I ordered WB kit this morning, will probably take couple days for it to arrive, then at least another 2-3 weeks to get results.
15249123 tn?1478652475
That is still below the 3.5 cut off for a possible false positive. In your case i would seek out the western blot. If your Dr refuses you can contact the west overheights clinic in portland. They can make the arrangements. I want to say its $250-300 for the test but it will sort this out.
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Thank you feelingundone. I'm gonna see my Dr. on Monday afternoon.
Avatar universal
Well, I just spoke with nurse and she said that the test they did was HSV-2 Igg at Solstic lab and it came at 3.16. Negative for HSV-1.
I asked her about previous tests and when I was tested and it was in September 2011, September 2013 and April 2016. At either of these times they did not test for herpes but actually not even for all STDs. She said that maybe rules have changed regarding what they consider standard STD testing then vs now and what is included.

She said for any further testing I would have to meet with my Dr. and she doesn't know if Dr. would order WB test.

I'm just devastated right now. I haven't dated much before but with this I'll be dating even less in the future. How do you tell someone you want to date about this? I just started seeing a really great guy who brought this up by saying that he is clean and that's what actually got me to get tested too. I am so ashamed  right now to even talk about this with my Dr. much less with a guy I like.
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Actually it was Solstas/Quest Diagnostic lab that did the test. I called them to see what is the name of the test they use, the lady didn't know, just said it is HSV Igg test. Not sure that would make any difference anyway.
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