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Tone12

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Posts posted by Tone12

  1. With a low positive it may be a false pos but I'd wait atleast the 12 to 16 weeks before doing the western blot. I actually did it a few times. I only say wait because you'll wonder if it was a false neg, like me I ended up doing it again at 1 year mark and had the same neg result. Basically the recommend to wait 12 weeks. Best of luck to you. When was the last time u tested for a base line test before that low pos. 

  2. A few things can be going on here. Did u have sexual exposure in January a week or 2 before the sores appeared, or they just appeared. Another thing with low positives can also mean false positive but in this case I'm not so sure because u claim of the sores coming and going wich points to recent infection. The fact that you've been taking antiviral meds could of easily tampered with the antibody build up this whole time. Try not taking meds for a few weeks and retest if it's much higher then there it is. If it remains low I'd get a second opinion. Many things can cause sores other than herpes.

  3. On 9/11/2019 at 5:31 PM, resinoth said:

    Hello. I was just diagnosed with HSV-2 by a new gynecologist by blood test, as I am asymptomatic if I have it at all. I do full STI panels at least every six months and make sure to tack on a herpes test since I know I have to ask or they won't. She was a huge jerk about it over the phone and offered zero follow up or support, and said I definitely had it but I probably already knew that. I am not in the business of insisting on STI testing for things I "know I have." I looked at my actual test results (IGG) and my number was 3.6, which is high borderline, with an unnamed "supplemental" test which was positive. I called to ask what that second test was and they said they couldn't tell me over the phone because of privacy, I would need to make an appointment for 3 weeks from now. So be it. I retested with my primary care doctor.

    Those results (after being lost for a week) also came back positive with a 3.2 this time, so again borderline, again IGG. My primary said that it was likely that I do have it since two tests (albeit the same test) came back positive from two different labs.

    I just need to know if I have HSV-2. I have heard the blood tests are very inaccurate, sometimes 50/50 inaccurate, and I need to come to some assessment so I can move on with my life either way. Every time I ask a doctor about it all they seem to do is slut shame me with inaccurate and hateful misinformation, so I am reticent to see a THIRD doctor about it who will do nothing but be cruel to me because I want to know my status. I just want to know.

    I have heard the Western Blot is the most accurate test, but again, I am trying to figure out at this point whether getting tested for now a FOURTH time is even necessary. I would like any suggestions or advice or links to helpful articles about testing. I don't care what the result is at this point, but anything has to be better than weeks and weeks of limbo hell where I am freaking out about it every second of my day and obsessing. I have mental health problems (depression, anxiety, PTSD) and this is really running me through the ringer emotionally more than anything else and I just want to know how to proceed.

    Thank you.

    I was wanting to know the same. If you tested exactly 6 months prior to this test and was negative, then 6 months later u got a positive result it's under the guidelines as they say it could take up to 6 months to show antibodies. What made u want to test? When was the last exposure? If it was beyond 6 months or within not really sure. A western blot would for sure tell u the answers 

  4. 18 hours ago, makepeacewithit said:

    One thing to consider if it's taking a long time to get a positive reading on blood tests . . . if you'd had an outbreak doctors will often give you antiviral medicine like Valtrex to deal with the symptoms. Being on antivirals delays the initial seroconversion process even if you have outbreaks, so you have the infection but blood tests like IGG and WB take longer to detect it (or won't show it if you are on a daily suppressive dose).

    Just thought I'd mention this, in case anyone is awaiting blood tests while also taking antivirals.

    I haven't taking a.v ever so that's reassuring. I'm questioning it because I've read of numerous people taking 1 year to get a pos result on bloodtests. 

  5. 2 hours ago, Vibes90 said:

    Still my question is does Quest lab give you numbers when you are negative? Or maybe anybody has experience with anylabtest? Because for example Labcorp lab just give you informstion that your number is <0.9 without giving any numbers...

    I tried finding the same thing and unfortunately quest and lab core doesn't give the neg values. Anylabtest uses quest. That's where I went to do the westernblot. 

  6. 2 hours ago, MarsAttack said:

    No no am not saying that private clinic are not accurate. Doctors said "it's how they calibrate the test", probably I am/was very on the edge between equivocal and positive. Also I am not in the US but in EU.

    The suggested time you should wait for a reliable test from the first noticeable outbreak (or after suspect sexual intercourse) is about three months.

    When I took the one at the hospital that gave me the Positive result it was five months after infection circa (the ones took earlier at different clinics just showed values around 0.9/1.1).

    Ok thanks for the reply.

    • Like 1
  7. 5 hours ago, MarsAttack said:

    Don't want scare or suggest theories. Just my story. I had the "luck" of taking multiple tests witnessing to the full ascending discending arc of IGG and IGM. In my first test (about one month after the first evidence of hsv2 on my penis) my HSV2 IGG was still 0.50, while IGM was already positive (not very high, 1.3). HSV1 IGG and IGM were both negative around 0.50.

    I tend to belive that a TRUE negative is around 0.50/0.60.

    When my IGG built up (and IGM went down) it never exceeded  1 or 1.1 staying in the "equivocal" area; but when I went to the hospital instead of private clinic for testing the result was sadly Positive (without numeric value). I repeated the test twice at the hospital and three times at private clinics.

    About how long did it take for that low positive, and or equivical result on the igg. if you don't me asking. Also are you saying private testing isn't that accurate and should use hospital testing. 

  8. 46 minutes ago, mr_hopp said:

    My pleasure! They say to wait at least 3 months before getting a blood test to allow time for the antibodies to build up to detectable levels, so 9 months is plenty to get a conclusive result. But to be absolutely certain, get the Western Blot. The IgG can give a lot of false negatives and positives. 

    Thank you very much. I've actually gotten the western blot at 34 weeks post. I was thrown off when I read somewhere the igG is first to become positive before the wb..

    Thanks again for everything you do here. It's a god send. 

  9. 1 hour ago, mr_hopp said:

    An index value of less than 1.1 is negative and yes, any testing facility will give you the numbers whether you're negative or positive. Here are a few helpful articles on this:

    Thank you for sharing that information Mr hopp It means alot. Would you say a negative igg at around 9 months is conclusive? Ive had a long history of hsv1 orally. Have you ever seen people take longer than 9 months to show positive for hsv2 from the same exposure 

  10. 8 hours ago, DoesntDefineMe said:

    I am so thankful for this forum, as I have felt very alone and anxious after recently being diagnosed with ghsv2. Here’s a little backstory on my recent diagnoses, along with some questions. 

     

    I am recently divorced and had been with my ex husband for almost 7 years. I had no symptoms or any reason to believe I had HSV of any sort. After we separated I started seeing someone new. Of course he seemed like a dream come true because he was so attentive, sweet, supportive and motivating. We originally started our sexual relationship using condoms. After being together for some time, I felt comfortable and trusted him for us to not use a condom. 

     

    3 days after unprotected sex, I started experiencing what felt like a UTI/yeast infection. But then red spots started showing up and the pain became so unbearable that I could barely walk. I got the flu like symptoms with body aches, and pelvic pain. I went to my primary doctor and she did a swoon test in which cake back positive for hsv 2. I relayed this to my boyfriend at the time and he really didn’t have a reaction at all and just said we would handle this together. He never went a got tested, which lead me to believe he had known he had it already. Shortly after, he basically turned me away and stopped talking to me and started seeing someone else. A girl that looks like an innocent girl that is about to be put through the same traumatic situation that I have been put in. I have thought about reaching out to her a warning her but figured I would just be looked at like the crazy ex, and honestly I NEED to start focusing on myself more. Anyways, here are my questions. 

    1. Are the swob tests pretty accurate when there are visible sores? Or should I request getting the western blot test just to be sure? I never received  the index scores that I have seen others post on this forum from different test  only received a phone call saying I was positive for HSV2  

     

    2. Is it possible for me to have had HSV the entire time I was with my ex husband and not have any symptoms at all? And then have them so severe one day? 

     

    I am am having a really hard time accepting that I have this. I was never one to sleep around with random people. As if being a single mom and dating wasn’t hard enough, I now have to add this to the mix.

     

    They say swabs are extremely reliable unless it's a lab mix up. Have you had an igG blood test to confirm the diagnoses. 12 to 16 weeks is what it takes someone to have an antibody response. 

  11. 2 hours ago, Ishmael said:

    Even if you have HSV 1 your HSV 2 antibodies would be showing between 12 and 16 weeks. If they aren't, then you likely have a compromised immune system due to something like HIV. You need to calm down and approach this situation a bit more rationally. You might also consider seeking therapy for health anxiety. 

    Thank you I needed that kick in the butt lol. I feel reassured then because I don't think I have a compromised immune system. I can't remember the last time I had a runny nose let alone a cold. I am over thinking this and need to believe these negative results. The more I read the more I feel worse after reading all the + swabs and - blood months later or even longer.  The only thing is keeping me sane is I didn't have outbreaks or nothing just weird sensations...

    Can i ask if u don't mind answering. Do u have type 1 or 2. Or both and if so did u kno the exposure date and how long did it take to show in the blood? I appreciate you very much 

  12. 10 hours ago, blurneworder said:

    I didn't test positive for HSV1 until 11 months later.

    I had 1 pimplelike thing appear that litterly stayed for 2 1/2 months derm said was mallescum. I wasn't to certain and another said sabacious cyst. I had it biopsied and not even sure if they checked for hsv or even hpv. All he said it was bacterial and I wasn't asking too many questions cause so much was on my mind. I kno h doesn't last tgat long and never blistered or ulcered.  Blurner did u get another test by chance. If get the western blot Just to see. If u got a low positive after 11 months it could be false. U should of gotten a low positive months ago if it was the case. I wouldn't stop there if I was u

  13. 2 minutes ago, tiredandlonely said:

    I'm HSV-2 positive and I do know how and when I got it. 

    I had a primary outbreak less than a week after exposure (I'd been having frequent sex with this person so I don't know the exact exposure date). I went to the doctor within a day of the symptoms showing up. The lesions were swabbed and were positive for HSV-2. A blood test performed at the same time was negative, so I know it was a brand new infection. 

    I had a blood test about a month later and it was positive for HSV-2, so my antibodies showed up pretty quickly. 

    Thank you for that clarification, they say antibodies show up quicker on those that don't have hsv1 for example. I have hsv1 sinse childhood and am at a loss of what to expect. Some say it slows seroconversion some say it dont. I'm sure not passed 6 months but still all the what iffs kind of gets to ya. Thank you once again. 

  14. 15 hours ago, tiredandlonely said:

    I don't understand your confusion. Both of your tests are negative and you waited 6 months for one test and 7.5 months for the other. This is enough time for it to show up, unless you are immunocompromised. Unless I'm missing something, I think you can trust the tests.

    I haven't read that HSV-1 significantly delays seroconversion. The only thing I have read that can interfere with the western blot is if you are taking antivirals, you are supposed to stop for 2-3 months before taking the test. 

    What are the symptoms you have had that you are concerned about? There are plenty of uncomfortable symptoms that occur in the genital area that are not because of herpes...

    Thank you for the response and assurance. I have no reason to doubt it it's just because I read so much people don't seroconvert and swap + and have - blood months later. I'm sure it's because the antiviral meds mess with the antibody count. Can i ask if you're + for type 1 or 2. Did you kno your exposure date, how long did it take to test + on igG

  15. 23 hours ago, Ishmael said:

    Taking many months to show is an abnormality. You got a Western Blot, which is as definitive a blood test you can get. If it was negative you should forward thinking you are negative. It sounds like you might have some health anxiety issues. That's cool, so do I. 

    Thanks for your reply. I want to trust the wb but I read the igG is first to appear and that's why I'm questioning everything..

  16. Can i trust these results, I've had some wierd things happen minus the actual blisters and sores. If these bloodtests are reliable like they say something should of shown by now I would think. I just don't want to unknowingly infect someone. If anyone can shed some light on their experiences of highly appreciate it.

    How long did it take u to show positive on the bloodtest after a risky exposure?

    They say 12 yo 16 weeks. I read stories of people taking many months to show up in blood work. Everything can be the opposite of what they say and it makes anxiety worse.  

  17. Hello back in October I had a risky sexual encounter with a girl I dated that has hsv2. It didn't work out (not because of hsv2) because we want different things in life. I've had a negative igG for hsv2 30 weeks from the last sexual contact we had. Is it safe to assume I didn't catch it. I also got a western blot at 24 weeks witch was negative. I know the igG picks up first tho so the neg wb is of some concern it didn't pick up. I also have hsv1 since a child. I've read that slows seroconversion for awhile. It's kind of making me nervous after reading it can take some people up to a year to show positive igG. Is this true?  

  18. I've also taken the western blot at 17 wks post exposure and got negative results for hsv2. Hsv1 has been positive since childhood. Also negative igG at 22 wks. I feel something isn't right still and not sure what to believe. The pros say 12 wks is enough time for the western blot. I did it at 17 wks. Isn't it up to the person to seroconvert. What if it takes longer then 6 months. I'm stuck in a limbo and it's driving me insane 

  19. Hi I hope all is well, my story is complex and kind of long please bare with me. Oct 18 I developed a bump under my shaft so ofcoarse I started asking Dr Google. At the same time I got me and the girl tested. I came bk + for hsv1 and had it since a child. She comes bk for hsv1 and 2 + 15.50 for 2. I was shocked and panicked these whole 21 wks has been stressful and I'm going nuts. Around the 3 wk the bump was still there so I made an appointment with a dermatologist who diagnosed it as a mallescum bump. I wasn't convinced as it didn't look like it to me but after about it being there 2 months i had her freeze it off. It caused burning sensation and mild discomfort. It was like a pimple no puss it didn't burst or scab over. I did a western blot at around 17 wks and results was - for h2 + for h1. All the igG caught h1 infection. H2 always - up to 22 wks. 5 months. I'm waiting to do another western blot at 6 months. I'm healthy enough I'd assume I'd have a low + or equivocal by now. I just keep reading how unreliable the igG tests are and I'm discouraged by it. I just kno something isn't right down there. Does anyone kno if the western blot needs the igG protein to test positive. I understand it looks for 15 other antigens but from what I've gathered it goes by the igG protein to detect other antigens. Meaning if I'm not yet seroconverting all tests will be - until then. I want to trust what the pros say at 12 wks. I did it at 17 but how can they be so certain when it's up to that person to show positive. It can take months smh.  Or am I wrong. Should I be satisfied with with negative wb at 17 wks and - igG at 22 wks. I read people taking long time to seroconvert while having hsv1 for a long time. Thank you so much for any info you can provide me. I really appreciate it. 

  20. 4 hours ago, Papercut said:

    Im in canada tested positive in blood for anti bodies while on valtrex 500mg daily

    Hi I'm just curious if you had a positive swab to test positive ehile on valtrex? Did you know that you where exposed or did u have an outbreak and took the blood test? I'm on my 5th month and neg bloodtest. I haven't taken no meds and did a western blot at 17 wks post exposure with neg. I just know something isn't right. I plan to do another wb at the end of April it'll be 6 months I've read that's when the wb is really 99% accurate 

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