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Need Expert Advice
I just need a second opinion and from an expert
I tested positive for HSV 1 & 2 using the HerpeSelect IGG Specific test. The infectious disease specialist said they used Quest and mentioned immunoblot. He didn't say ELISA.
Test Result
hsv 1- >5.00
hsv 2- 1.49
I knew I would test positive for hsv1 cause I had 2 cold sores in the past. First in 2007, second in 2009. And I never had an outbreak, at least to my knowledge.
After reading the forums, I decided to get a Biokit test done and the result was negative. I was happy at first to hear that but Grace mentioned that the test also has a false negative rate and the doctor did not let me see the results come up after he said he would. The medical assistant took the test away and they both came back less than 5 minutes later with the result. I saw the test and indeed, there was only 1 red dot. Can the test result be done in less than 5 minutes? Can I trust the result?
Now I'm considering the WB to calm my nerves. Am I being too crazy and thinking about this too much? Should I just move on and accept that I am negative?
I tested positive for HSV 1 & 2 using the HerpeSelect IGG Specific test. The infectious disease specialist said they used Quest and mentioned immunoblot. He didn't say ELISA.
Test Result
hsv 1- >5.00
hsv 2- 1.49
I knew I would test positive for hsv1 cause I had 2 cold sores in the past. First in 2007, second in 2009. And I never had an outbreak, at least to my knowledge.
After reading the forums, I decided to get a Biokit test done and the result was negative. I was happy at first to hear that but Grace mentioned that the test also has a false negative rate and the doctor did not let me see the results come up after he said he would. The medical assistant took the test away and they both came back less than 5 minutes later with the result. I saw the test and indeed, there was only 1 red dot. Can the test result be done in less than 5 minutes? Can I trust the result?
Now I'm considering the WB to calm my nerves. Am I being too crazy and thinking about this too much? Should I just move on and accept that I am negative?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Congratulations! The laboratory's comment about seroconversion time is irrelevant since well over 16 weeks have passed. It is only herpes drugs (acyclovir, valacyclovir, etc) that might delay a positive blood test result; Diflucan (your yeast pill) cannot do it.
I strongly recommend you not have another HerpeSelect test. The result probably would be just the same, and the technically positive result would just reignite your anxieties. Just carry on with your life, with 100% certainty you are infected only with HSV-1 and not HSV-2.
I strongly recommend you not have another HerpeSelect test. The result probably would be just the same, and the technically positive result would just reignite your anxieties. Just carry on with your life, with 100% certainty you are infected only with HSV-1 and not HSV-2.
Hello Doctor
I got my test results back frrom UW.
Positive for antibody to HSV-1 by Western Blot and Negative for antibody to Hsv-2.
Evidence of past infection with HSV-1 (cold sores?)
In the notes section- it said "sercoversion to hsv-2 may take 12-16 weeks especially if antiviral therapy was given"- my possible exposure was over a year ago (summer 2008). In January I took 1 pill for a yeast infection. Would that affect the result and what is considered to be "antiviral therapy"?
Also, my doctor has me scheduled for another Herpeselect IGG test, should I even re-test given the WB results?
Thank you so much for all your help! :)
I got my test results back frrom UW.
Positive for antibody to HSV-1 by Western Blot and Negative for antibody to Hsv-2.
Evidence of past infection with HSV-1 (cold sores?)
In the notes section- it said "sercoversion to hsv-2 may take 12-16 weeks especially if antiviral therapy was given"- my possible exposure was over a year ago (summer 2008). In January I took 1 pill for a yeast infection. Would that affect the result and what is considered to be "antiviral therapy"?
Also, my doctor has me scheduled for another Herpeselect IGG test, should I even re-test given the WB results?
Thank you so much for all your help! :)
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
What exactly wasn't clear about "Let me know the result, but until then I won't have any further comments"? You have posted 4 anxiety-driven comments since then, all of which I have deleted. All my comensts were intended to calm your fears; you don't have HSV-2. Stop overthinking it and accept the reassurance you have been given. I expect your WB to be negative. Post the result when you have it. Until then there is nothing more I can say to settle you down.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I don't know, a week or so I would guess. Let me know the result, but until then I won't have any further comments. Stay mellow and have the champagne ready; it will be negative.
Thank you for checking. I also called the lab and they gave me the codes for the test and I confirmed with Quest that it was Elisa.
I have an appt tomorrow to get my blood drawn for the WB.
How long will it take for me to get the result? I'm super nervous...
I have an appt tomorrow to get my blood drawn for the WB.
How long will it take for me to get the result? I'm super nervous...
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
FYI, I confirmed with a herpes lab expert that immunoblot does not give any kind of numerical result. Your 1.49 value had to be ELISA.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
If you had an immunoblot, it seems you had an ELISA as well. The HSV-2 value of 1.49 suggests ELISA; to my knowledge, the immunoblot does not give a numerical result. If only one test was done, your doctor might check with the lab and see if they actually did an ELISA even if immunoblot was requested.
To my knowledge only the ELISA has been studied in regard to false positive results. The immunoblot and ELISA are based on exactly the same biology and technology, except they use a different method to measure the result. Therefore, immunoblot probably has the same problem, but it just hasn't been investigated. If it turns out I am wrong and somehow you were given an immunoblot test (despite the numerical result) I agree it would be reasonable for you to not rely only on the Biokit test as the tie-breaker, and have the Western blot.
Or maybe just go ahead with WB no matter what. You're obviously having difficulty accepting the very strong evidence you don't have HSV-2. If a negative WB will help you go on with your life, you should do it. You can expect it to be negative for HSV-2 and positive for HSV-1.
I'll be happy to comment further if and when you want to report a WB result.
To my knowledge only the ELISA has been studied in regard to false positive results. The immunoblot and ELISA are based on exactly the same biology and technology, except they use a different method to measure the result. Therefore, immunoblot probably has the same problem, but it just hasn't been investigated. If it turns out I am wrong and somehow you were given an immunoblot test (despite the numerical result) I agree it would be reasonable for you to not rely only on the Biokit test as the tie-breaker, and have the Western blot.
Or maybe just go ahead with WB no matter what. You're obviously having difficulty accepting the very strong evidence you don't have HSV-2. If a negative WB will help you go on with your life, you should do it. You can expect it to be negative for HSV-2 and positive for HSV-1.
I'll be happy to comment further if and when you want to report a WB result.
I'm confused about the test my doc used. He said it was Quest immunoblot and not Elisa. studies show that Elisa has a false rate not the immunoblot
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum.
The advice you had on the herpes community forum was correct. Although technically positive, the HSV-2 result had a strong chance of being false positive. In fact, with an ELISA ratio of 1.49, only about 20% of people actually have HSV-2. The negative BiokitUSA test shows that it was, in fact, false positive. Even with a Biokit result in only 5 minutes, that result should be reliable and to the best of my knowledge,and you can trust the result; you do not have HSV-2. But if you want even greater security about it, go ahead with the Western blot test. (Speaking personally, if I were in your place, knowing what I know, I would accept the present results and would not feel a need for WB testing.)
In case you are interested, here is a thread that discusses the issues about HSV IgG test results in some detail: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/593272
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
The advice you had on the herpes community forum was correct. Although technically positive, the HSV-2 result had a strong chance of being false positive. In fact, with an ELISA ratio of 1.49, only about 20% of people actually have HSV-2. The negative BiokitUSA test shows that it was, in fact, false positive. Even with a Biokit result in only 5 minutes, that result should be reliable and to the best of my knowledge,and you can trust the result; you do not have HSV-2. But if you want even greater security about it, go ahead with the Western blot test. (Speaking personally, if I were in your place, knowing what I know, I would accept the present results and would not feel a need for WB testing.)
In case you are interested, here is a thread that discusses the issues about HSV IgG test results in some detail: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/593272
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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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.
