I asked my PCP to run a STD panel because I had concerns about my boyfriend's behavioral patterns (he denied any affairs when we talked and  he still does.) I have a very recent result of HSV Type 2 Specific Ab, IgG with a value of 4.09. (LabCorp). HSV Type 1 is negative. I have no symptoms of herpes any where but thought I had a urinary tract  or vaginal infection briefly (lasted about 4 days) about 4 months ago that went away on its own. I hadn't had an infection in years and years, so in addition to his behavior change I got worried and eventually got this test done. I have read about the potential for false positives.  Is it worth being re-tested via the same method and/or seeking a the Western Blot (UW lab)?   

Great questions.  Recently I am some other professionals I work with specializing herpes have had several people test above 3.5 on their IgG but subsequently tested negative on the herpes Western blot. Based on this, it is my recommendation that you pursue the Western blot to determine if you are actually infected or not. There's probably a 10% chance that you're 4.09 result is a false positive. I would not bother redoing the IgG test as I would expect a similar result on the second one. If your Western blot is positive, the symptoms that you report urinary tract infection or vaginal infection may actually have been a herpes outbreak. Has your boyfriend agreed to be tested?  I think it would be valuable and understanding your results if you had his test results as well.

Terri
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Thank you Terri. I found the requistion form for the Western Blot test on the UW website and got my PCP to fill it our for me but I can't get her office to draw the sample or the local hospital because the only use LabCorp for testing? Do you have any idea where I can get my blood sample drawn and shipped according to UW protocols? I am willing to pay out of pocket. 

Yes.  When I order the blot,I encourage people to see if there is an anylabtestnow near them.  They have been doing this for us for years now.  If there is none near you, I would go online and search for independent labs and call them and ask.  Just keep pushing on this one.  It's not easy

Terri
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