[Question #10203] HSV-1 Testing

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25 months ago

Hi, I am in my 30s, male. A couple years ago I tested negative for HSV 1. After that, I had one instance of kissing with a new partner, unknown status. I did not retest. Fast forward to now, I had a new partner with heavy kissing in a first encounter and unprotected sex including oral in a second encounter. After our first encounter, she tested negative for HSV-1 (about 6 months from her last partner). She also tested negative a year prior, and never had cold sores. I tested again, 21 days after our first encounter and 7 days after the second. I was equivocal, IgG index of 0.92. I haven’t had any cold sores. do you think this equivocal after being negative before shows I’m in the process of converting to positive if I test again at 12 weeks? I know it’s probably pretty uncertain. If i consider 0.92 as a “positive”, how common would it be that this was a false positive?

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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
24 months ago
I do not think that the equivocal represents a new infection, and a seroconversion to a positive HSV 1.  This is definitely NOT a positive result and I don't think you should consider it a positive result.
If you wish to repeat the test in 12 weeks you can, But this partner has repeatedly tested negative - I think a new infection for you is really unlikely.
Terri
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