[Question #10122] HSVII Western Blot Indeterminate result
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25 months ago
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58 yo female, fit/healthy/ starting a new relationship. Had STI testing done on 5/15/23. Unremarkable except for + IgG to HSV 1
(49.80) and HSV type 2 (1.31). Cold
sores have been the only history noted. I have only had them around the
mouth, only after having a fever, as during Covid, stressed out, too
much sun. Never any labial ulcerations.The only other sexual partner in
years-brief
relationship from Dec 22 to Jan 23 . As
I got my results, asked that partner to test, he provided proof tested
neg everything, inc HSV type 2. My only health history that you might
need to know: I do
have rheu tests done yearly and had resulting positive ANA speckled
pattern. No symptoms for connective
tissue disease, or any other concerns. I
learned about the w. blot and ordered the kit.My low test level leads me to believe that this was a false
positive, and the western blot =indeterminate result, along with a
long explanation from the lab.Since I have been with only one person in several years, and
he tested negative, do you think I’m in the clear? Could I be an asymptomatic carrier?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
25 months ago
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I think you are very likely in the clear, yes. UW recommends that you retest in 3 months and consider yourself negative if indeterminate again. I think you should do that, both for yourself and to reassure your partner. In all of my career of 40 years, I have only seen one person go from indeterminate to positive. The rest of them either stayed indeterminate or went to negative.
Terri
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25 months ago
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Thanks for your recommendation and for this forum. I/we still have absolutely zero symptoms - So- should I request another test kit from UW and do a repeat test exactly 3 months after the first one? My hospital lab efficiently performed that blood draw, and I can use them again with another order from my provider. (I remember seeing some kind of "paired test" offered. Not sure about what that was).
We have continued our relationship and use condoms during intercourse. We assume this is recommended and necessary. Will it be after the second test if indeterminate or negative? Is there a danger in having oral sex? Please advise.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
25 months ago
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Yes, you should get a new kit and do it again. i don't think that you need the paired testing - it's very expensive and I think we can get what we need from a separate test.
I think oral sex is probably OK. I've only seen one person in my entire career go from indeterminate to positive on the second draw.
TErri
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