Hello I am a 28 year old male who is sexually active.  I had a blood test done for HSV2 about 4-5 months ago.  The doctors office called me after a week and informed I was negative for herpes.  Then 3 weeks later they called back saying the last part of the test came back positive for exposure to herpes but there was no active infection.  They claimed it was a four part test.  I plan on getting retested but I wanted to ask if there is a specific test I should ask for?  This is a small town clinic I was at and I strongly question there testing methods if they tell me I'm fine then tell me I'm infected 3 weeks later.  I am totally asymptomatic and have never shown any signs of an outbreak.  Any advice or insight into testing methods would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

This is certainly confusing and I have no idea what they are talking about - exposure but no active infection?  That sounds like you might be antibody positive without lesions, but that also indicates infection.  So how about this:  get a physical copy of the test results and post them here and I will review them.  Alternatively, you can go get an HSV 1 and 2 IgG antibody test.  If you've ever had cold sores, you can skip the HSV 1 test.


Terri
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Ok thank you.  I am a merchant mariner out at sea right now but I am changing primary care physicians when I get home.  I will ask for a HSV1 and HSV2 antibody test when I'm home.  For a doctors office to say I'm fine then call back with shaky information is ridiculous.  

Well, mistakes do happen but I agree that there should be a far more thorough explanation made of what is going on here

Terri
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