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HSV 2 Mystery
My husband of 14 years confessed infidelity...a lot of it.
I went in for testing (blood and pap) and all was clear EXCEPT HSV 2. My IgG level was 1.31 My HSV 1 was negative.
So I was devastated and angry all over again. But he got tested and his HSV test was NEGATIVE for type 2 at .09 and positive for HSV 1 at 6.0 (he gets cold sores so no surprise there).
I can't speak for HIS sexual activity, but I know for a fact that I have not been anywhere else. No symptoms for either of us. I took my doctor a copy of my husband's results along with an article discussing false positives, but I have heard nothing back.
Should I request a Western Blot test?
Does anyone know of any resources regarding possible false positives that I could share with my doctor?
I went in for testing (blood and pap) and all was clear EXCEPT HSV 2. My IgG level was 1.31 My HSV 1 was negative.
So I was devastated and angry all over again. But he got tested and his HSV test was NEGATIVE for type 2 at .09 and positive for HSV 1 at 6.0 (he gets cold sores so no surprise there).
I can't speak for HIS sexual activity, but I know for a fact that I have not been anywhere else. No symptoms for either of us. I took my doctor a copy of my husband's results along with an article discussing false positives, but I have heard nothing back.
Should I request a Western Blot test?
Does anyone know of any resources regarding possible false positives that I could share with my doctor?
I am not worried about the HSV-1 at all as I know most adults have that one. I was tested for everything when we had our first child (military required it) so I know that I did not have HSV-2 from a prior partner. I had no idea about false positives until HIS results came back negative for HSV-2. After researching, I am going to either chalk it up to a false positive, or do the Western Blot. Thank you for your reassuring reply.
Sorry to hear of your unpleasant personal circumstances. But you can put herpes out of your mind: almost certainly you don't have it.
Even though 1.1 is the official value for a positive HSV2 test result, herpes and STD experts know that the test isn't definitely positive except at 3.5 and higher. Most people with values as low as 1.31 are not infected. Adding that your husband has a clear negative HSV2 result, that you have had no other exposures, and have no symptoms, you can be quite confident you don't have it. That said, there is a slight possibility you have HSV2 from some other partner before you were married. A Western blot would sort it out, but if I were in your situation, I wouldn't do it and wouldn't worry further.
Your husband has HSV1, but there is no particular reason to suppose he caught it from his extramarital adventures. Half of all adults are HSV1 positive, mostly oral, mostly without symptoms, and usualy dating back to childhood.
You could download the excellent Herpes Handbook at www.westoverheights.com, the webiste for the clinic operated by Terri Warren, moderator of MedHelp's herpes expert forum. It's a superb resource and cost free -- and I think it goes into HSV blood tests, false positives, etc.
I hope that helps. Best wishes and happy holidays.
Even though 1.1 is the official value for a positive HSV2 test result, herpes and STD experts know that the test isn't definitely positive except at 3.5 and higher. Most people with values as low as 1.31 are not infected. Adding that your husband has a clear negative HSV2 result, that you have had no other exposures, and have no symptoms, you can be quite confident you don't have it. That said, there is a slight possibility you have HSV2 from some other partner before you were married. A Western blot would sort it out, but if I were in your situation, I wouldn't do it and wouldn't worry further.
Your husband has HSV1, but there is no particular reason to suppose he caught it from his extramarital adventures. Half of all adults are HSV1 positive, mostly oral, mostly without symptoms, and usualy dating back to childhood.
You could download the excellent Herpes Handbook at www.westoverheights.com, the webiste for the clinic operated by Terri Warren, moderator of MedHelp's herpes expert forum. It's a superb resource and cost free -- and I think it goes into HSV blood tests, false positives, etc.
I hope that helps. Best wishes and happy holidays.
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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.
