[Question #12283] HSV-1 Testing
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8 months ago
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This is a detailed specific question that may take some research, no doctors are digging deep enough. My partner went to a walk in clinic for testing about 6 days after unprotected sex with someone else for UTI symptoms. They took a urine test (only) and it was sent to Pathgroup for testing, a TMA DNA test was performed on APTIMA Panther Test Assay for HSV-1 and HSV-2. Result was HSV-1 Detected, (urine sample only, No Swabs). I can find no information on this test related to urine sample. No APTIMA literature talks about Urine Testing, nor does the cited research in the Pathgroup test document, discuss urine sampling.
In addition approximately 4 weeks after possible exposure, they also took a IgG Blood test, which came back, detected for HSV-1. Would the IgG Antibodies be present after 4 weeks from a new infection? Is this likely a new exposure, existing old exposure (unaware of it) or not possible to tell at 4 weeks from the IgG. Some research says its to soon for IgG some says its not too soon.
The most important question though is infection location, no visual symptoms genitally or orally are present. Do results from a Urine (genital) test (TMA/ DNA) indicate ONLY a genital infection? AKA Is it possible to have an Oral infection only, and it be detected in a Urine Sample? (this seems counterintuitive) I understand that a blood test cannot determine location.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
8 months ago
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I believe that the APTIMA Panther Test Assay for HSV-1 and HSV-2 is approved to look for HSV 1 and 2 from urine.
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If the urine is picking up something, HSV 1, that would mean that this person has HSV 1 genitally. Did they receive oral sex from the other partner, do you know?
Antibodies to HSV 1 could be present from a contact 4 weeks earlier, yes, or they could have been there since childhood, too.
You are correct, and as I mentioned above, a urine sample would not be picking up an oral infection.
Terri