Low HSV test, but tested positive for Chlamydia

[greenpointbrooklyn]

Hello,

About 2 weeks ago I had a fling with someone just met.  A few days ago I noticed my urethra was a bit red and tender, so I went to my doctor, told him the situation, and he had me tested for all STD's (urine and blood tests).  He called me today and told me that I tested positive for Chlamydia and that I had a very low score for HSV (he didn't tell me the number; I will ask tomorrow now that I've read up on the subject).  

My doctor said that he did not think it was HSV.  He said the test may have been tripped because of the chlamydia.  I'm going on antibiotics for the chlamydia starting tomorrow, which is doxycycline for a week.  He told me to reschedule another blood test with him in 6 weeks to retest for HSV and make sure the chlamydia goes away.

My questions are as such:

-  Is it possible that the chlamydia may have affected my HSV test (I'm assuming it's an IGG/IGM test; will confirm tomorrow).  Have you seen this before with other STD's showing up as positive when another STD is present?

-  I will call my doctor tomorrow to get the exact numbers of the HSV test, which he said were low, and then post them on here.  I'm trying to stay positive.

-  I don't know if I can wait another 6 weeks before I know I have HSV or not.  How long do you suggest I wait until I try a bio-kit or WB test?  Can I order those on my own or do I need to go to another provider?

Don't know if I explained everything properly, so just let me know if you have any questions.

Many thanks for any insight.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

1.  You can say with 70% certainty that you don't have HSV 2, and your antibody test results are going in the right direction.  
2.  If you feel the need to retest I would recommend that you do it at 16 weeks post exposure  

Do you know if the person you had sex with would agree to be tested?

Terri

[greenpointbrooklyn]

Hi Terri,

I was retested earlier this week and the results came back negative.  It had been about 6 weeks since my original test that came back equivocal.  Needless to say, I am very relieved, but still a bit concerned that I tested equivocally in the first place.  

I can confirm that the tests I was given were HSV Type 2 Specific Ab, IgG tests.  The results came back from LabCorp in Raritan, NJ.

I have a few follow up questions that I'm hoping you can answer:

1.  Im assuming that the negative test was a good sign, but not a final result?  I can't yet say that I 100% do not have HSV2, can I?


2.  How many times and in what frequency do you think I should retest?   You had mentioned earlier that if my retesting came back negative, you didn't think I needed to have a Western Blot test, but I should definitely follow up with the same IgG tests I've been given, correct?  At least once in 2-3 months?


So thankful to have had you here to answer my questions.  My own doctor was pretty knowledgeable about the subject, and a great resource, but it's always nice to hear other opinions and advice.

All best.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

You are most welcome.

Terri

[greenpointbrooklyn]

Thanks Teri.  

I will check back here once I have been retested which is scheduled for the beginning of June.  If I retest positive, I'll work with you and your clinic on ordering the WB to be sent to somewhere in New Jersey.  I'll try to find a clinic there I can work with.

Hoping none of this is necessary in the end but I appreciate you being here and offering your help to those on this board.  

All best for now.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

If the next test result is negative, I don't think you need a western blot.  and yes, if I knew your HSV 1 score, it might be helpful in interpreting your HSV 2 result.  A false positive on the HSV 2 test is a little more likely if you are HSV 1 positive.  

I don't know what type of test you were given, but the one you should have been given is an HSV IgG type specific antibody test.

If you need to go to New Jersey, our clinic can order a test there if you become a patient of our clinic.  Or you might find someone there who would be willing to draw your blood and send it with a kit from UW.

Terri

[greenpointbrooklyn]

Thanks Terri,

This is all new some I'm trying to contact my last few partners about their history.  

I'm pretty sure (though not 100%) that my previous STD tests included herpes screenings.  My doctor would always ask if I wanted to test for "all STD's" and I would agree.  I assumed that included the full gamut of tests.

No lesions or any symptoms really, other that the redness around my urethra, which I'm pretty sure if from the Chlamydia.  I just started on the antibiotics yesterday, so hopefully that will go away soon.

I have a few more questions:

-  What type of test do you think I was given?  

-  Since I didn't have a HSV-1 score, is it harder to tell what the low HSV2 score means?

-  Regardless of the next test results, do you think I should do the Western Blot test?  I do live near New Jersey, so i could easily go there, though I've never been to a doctor there.


Thanks for your help.  It's much appreciated.

[greenpointbrooklyn]

Ok, so I heard from my doctor today.  I asked him what type of blood test he had given me and he only said it was an "Antibody" test.  He said the test only checks for HSV-2, not HSV-1, since most people already have that.  Not sure what type of test I was given.

Anyway, he said the test came back at 1.07 for HSV-2, which he said was right on the fence.  

I asked him about other tests that I could take that are more accurate/specific in determining HSV, and he said he knew what I was talking about, but in NY State (where I live) it's not easy and is actually banned.  

He seems relatively confident that when I test again in 6 weeks, it will come out negative.  Of course, he can't be 100% sure, but he has been somewhat reassuring in that respect.  He said that we can explore other testing options if I retest as positive, which again, he is pretty confident that I won't.

I'm still wondering if the Chlamydia could have any effect on the "Antibody" test I took.  Maybe it was reading the antibodies I was creating for the Chlamydia as HSV antibodies?  I hope so.

Still, any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

[greenpointbrooklyn]

One thing I forgot to mention is that I had a full physical done by the same doctor is late February, and I was tested for everything.  Everything came back negative in those tests.  I've had at least one physical per year for the last few years, with full STD testing, and have never come up positive.  

I have had chlamydia one time before and did not test positive for HSV then.  This was about 3 years ago.

Thanks again for any insight.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

The chlamydia would not have any impact on your HSV 2 antibody test.  Do you know for a fact that herpes testing has been included in STD screens that you have had in the past?  Have you spoken with the person you had sex with about all of this and asked about any history of herpes?  

Your 1.07 is an equivocal result, that is, neither actually positive or negative.  Waiting 6 weeks will give you greater clarity for sure.  In the meanwhile, while you wait, if you develop any genital lesions, you should go right in and be evaluated.  

It sounds like your doctor is pretty knowledgable about herpes so that's a good thing.  

It could be a challenge to get the western blot in NY.  How far do you live from New Jersey?  If you are negative in 6 weeks, that's a good thing though not a final thing.  If your test is low positive or still equivocal, you can get the western blot in New Jersey if UW sends you the test kit or our clinic can order it for you.  

Terri