I am a 40 year-old male.  Was tested about 2 months ago IGG HSV 1 and 2.  Positive for HSV 1 and negative for HSV- 2.  I have always had HSV 1 and since the last test I have not engaged in any sexual acts with any new partner.  Last week I got another test done (IGG) and the HSV 1 was a 10.8 and my HSV 2 was a 2.3.  I have had no symptoms of genital herpes.  Can the high HSV 1 affect my HSV 2 blood test?  What are the chances it is a false positive?  Any help will be appreciated.

Hi Jonathan, 
The latest test could certainly be a false positive yes.  I know you said your last test was 2 months ago, how long before that test was your last sexual encounter?  It can take up to 4 months to make herpes antibody, just trying to see if your test timing was optimal.
Terri
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Thanks for your reply.  The last sexual exposure was in November of last year.  So it would have been about 4 months to the March test.

I'm thinking that another IgG would not be helpful.  Here's why:  if it comes back negative, can you forget about the 2.3 test result or would you wonder which is correct?  I think you would, I know I would!  So was November the last time you had sex with anyone or with anyone different?  Do you know the status of your current partner, if you have a current partner? 
I wouldn't necessarily see a higher number than 2.3 even with a true positive.  Some true positives are just low and stay that way.  If you were my patient, we would order you a herpes western blot because your 2.3 is in the low positive range and 50% of people who test in the low positive range (1.1 to 3.5) are falsely positive.  So I'm hopeful that your result may also be a false positive.  let me know about the current partner question, Ok?

Terri
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Last November was the last time I was with someone other than my girlfriend and yes currently with her.  

Then our timing for testing is very clear.  If she tests negative and you've been tested previously negative then the timing is perfect for getting the herpes western blot, the most accurate confirmatory test that we currently have.  This can be obtained by you contacting the Univ of Washington for a test kit to be shipping to you, your clinician will draw the blood, spin it down and ship it back to UW or we can order this test for you, through our clinic, to be drawn at a Quest lab near you and they handle all the spinning, shipping, etc. More info on our site under "Phone consultation" under "herpes"   My guess is that this is a false positive, but only confirmatory testing can tell us for sure. 

Don't freak out yet, just act to get clarity, one step at a time, until we know the real answer.

This was your final post on this forum.  If you have more questions, you can renew this discussion for an additional fee.

Best
Terri
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