Hello, I was recently tested by my dr for HSV 1 & 2. I thought it was a bit strange she tested me as I have never shown symptoms and get checked regularly for STDs before and after each partner and normally discuss history of STD status.  The results came back for HSV 2 at 1.6 which she tells me it’s a high positive although I have read that this still falls within the false positive probability.  Prior to getting my results from her, this weekend I had sex with my current partner whom I’ve been sleeping with exclusively without a condom as from my previous screenings I’ve been negative for all other STDs and started birth control.  I had a cut and bleed on my sheets. Our sex was very dry and I have PCOS and just started the Nuva ring abt 4 weeks ago. The following morning, I went to see her given the discomfort and without much inspection and stating she didn’t see anything said it was most likely an outbreak. I check myself routinely and explained to her that it looked like a clear cut as it was linear. She dismissed it and kept adamant   that it was an outbreak although she stated not seeing lesions. Dissatisfied, I went to the urgent care and got a second opinion, at  inspection this dr told me it looked more consistent with a tear.  But I request she conduct a dna test of the cut.  I’m not sure whar my next step is? And if I should be so easily convinced by this one test that I have herpes?

Your situation is slightly complicated by your most recent sexual contact.  Do you know if this most recent partner has been tested for HSV?  Given your LOW positive, this could be a false positive or it could be a low positive because you were newly infected or it could be that you have long standing herpes and simply have a low value.  How long has it been since you last had sex with anyone else?  If it has been at least 12 weeks and your partner has had no other partners and he tests negative, then it would be fine for you to get a confirmatory test (preferably herpes western blot) to clarify this result.  Looking only at the index value of 1.6, there is about a 80% chance that this is a false positive.   Having your partner's information will be very helpful here.    Please let me know what other questions you might have.

Terri
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Thank you. My last partner before him was about a year and a half ago. My current partner and I have been having sex for the last six months. He will be tested this upcoming week.  I will update. Thank you again!

I'll look forward to the update.

Terri
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Hello, 

I'm sorry that your doctor is unfamiliar with the CDC guidelines on people who have low positive values on their antibody tests. They recommend confirmatory testing for everyone who tests positive between 1.1 and 3.5 and you are definitely on the low end of that.  You need the herpes western blot.  You can print out the CDC guidelines and the University of Washington information about the western blot and see if she will do it for you again and if not, I can order this for you through our study on IgG vs. western blot.  The cost is $314.  You can find out more at westoverheights.com, click on the video consult button.

Terri
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