[Question #1357] Question about results

94 months ago

Hi -

I recently was in a relationship with my girlfriend and we had unprotected sex. She said she was tested before and all results were negative. I just had an IGG test done by my healthcare provider tested at ARUP Labs and my HSV1 results came back at .05 and my HSV2 came back at 1.02. I haven't had symptoms and the last time we had sex was 13 weeks ago. Based on the HSV2 results being under 1.1 I wanted to confirm that I am HSV2 negative. Can you confirm?

Thanks

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

94 months ago

You are what we call equivocal. Let me ask you a bit about your past sexual experiences. When was the last time you had sex with anyone else besides your current partner that tests negative?

Terri
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94 months ago

Hi Terri -

About 5 weeks ago. I wore a condom with the woman.

Thanks

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

94 months ago

Well, here's the deal. You are likely equivocal on this test because you have a protein in your blood that looks similar to one associated with HSV 2 but is NOT HSV 2. However, this could be happening also if you acquired new infection 5 weeks ago. This can happen without symptoms. Given all the possibilities, I think the most likely is the first and that you are not infected, but we cannot be sure, given the timing of the other sexual contact recently. If there is any way you could reach her and ask her to be tested for HSV 2, this would alleviate you waiting another 7 weeks to get tested again. If you can't reach her or it's uncomfortable, then you'll need to wait the 7 weeks to get tested again to see if the numbers go up. If they stay around the same, then I would feel reassured that you are likely NOT infected.

Terri
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94 months ago

Hi Terri-

I spoke to the female who confirmed that she is indeed negative for all STDs. I'm very relieved and can move on from my scare. Thanks so much

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

94 months ago

oh good! Very happy for you.

Terri
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