Can a HSV1 genital outbreak mean a false positive HSV2 IGG test?
May 31, 2015 12:35 PM Subscribe
My test results say I have HSV2. I'm wondering if it's a false positive.
In May 2015 I had a herpes outbreak. The swab test of the sores came back positive for HSV1. I got an HSV2 IGG test the next day, and tested positive for HSV2 antibodies. The result was 1.27. 1.10 and higher on this test is considered a positive result. I believe I've had HSV1 since elementary school, but I'm not entirely sure about the positive HSV2 result.
I have read on a few websites that when a result is that close to the cutoff point that it might be a false positive (1.27 isn't far from 1.10.) I did have previously negative HSV2 IGG tests in August 2014 and March 2015 (0.34 and 0.37) so I know my numbers have gone up. I'm just wondering if my HSV1 outbreak means there's an increase in antibodies that would affect the HSV2 test. I have already talked to my doctor, who thinks a false positive is unlikely (though he agreed that people with HSV1 can have false positives on HSV2 tests.) However I am thinking about trying to get another type of blood test anyway just to be sure.
So is it possible that an HSV1 breakout can mean an increase in HSV2 IGG test values? If not, then I'll accept the HSV2 diagnosis. Thanks for any help you can give me!
In May 2015 I had a herpes outbreak. The swab test of the sores came back positive for HSV1. I got an HSV2 IGG test the next day, and tested positive for HSV2 antibodies. The result was 1.27. 1.10 and higher on this test is considered a positive result. I believe I've had HSV1 since elementary school, but I'm not entirely sure about the positive HSV2 result.
I have read on a few websites that when a result is that close to the cutoff point that it might be a false positive (1.27 isn't far from 1.10.) I did have previously negative HSV2 IGG tests in August 2014 and March 2015 (0.34 and 0.37) so I know my numbers have gone up. I'm just wondering if my HSV1 outbreak means there's an increase in antibodies that would affect the HSV2 test. I have already talked to my doctor, who thinks a false positive is unlikely (though he agreed that people with HSV1 can have false positives on HSV2 tests.) However I am thinking about trying to get another type of blood test anyway just to be sure.
So is it possible that an HSV1 breakout can mean an increase in HSV2 IGG test values? If not, then I'll accept the HSV2 diagnosis. Thanks for any help you can give me!
Response by poster: Unfortunately I can't access Medscape. It wants me to make a professional account. I do believe the IgG test I took is type specific, though my lab result page doesn't tell me what kind of IgG test it is.
Edit: Turns out I do have an account. I'll take a look at the article. Thank you!
posted by Jenesta at 4:30 AM on June 1, 2015
Edit: Turns out I do have an account. I'll take a look at the article. Thank you!
posted by Jenesta at 4:30 AM on June 1, 2015
In the grand scheme of things, does it matter which strand of herpes you have? The treatment/prevention is the same for both.
posted by radioamy at 7:37 AM on June 1, 2015
posted by radioamy at 7:37 AM on June 1, 2015
Response by poster: Well, it matters to me because the recurrence rate for a genital HSV1 outbreak is less frequent than a genital HSV2 outbreak. So if I don't have HSV2, I may decide not to bother with the suppressive therapy I'm currently on because there's less genital viral shedding.
posted by Jenesta at 8:18 AM on June 1, 2015
posted by Jenesta at 8:18 AM on June 1, 2015
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posted by treehorn+bunny at 2:00 PM on May 31, 2015