Resolved question:
Once tested positive for HSV 1 antibodies, using blood test IgG, would a future test always be positive regardless to whether there is an outbreak or not? How long after first test should I wait before getting tested again?
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello,
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I understand your concern.
Once you get infected with HSV-1, it becomes a chronic infection. So IgG values may vary but will be positive and mildly elevated. During periods of outbreak, IgM will also be positive. Sero-reversal is not possible in viral infections like herpes unfortunately.
Feel free to discuss further,
Regards.
Thank you for your answer.
My test results indicated that I showed 35 of HSV Type1, and 1.21 of HSV Type 2, yet it was near the gentile area, arms, and back. Nowhere on lips or near the face.
I'm planning to get tested again just to make sure the result was not a false positive. It's now been 3 months and I have not had any problems. Does it matter when I should get tested again?
Hello,
Do you mean you had genital rash or sores around genital area?
Do you have any exposure risk?
You need to elaborate in detail.
Regards.
Big, red, round, itchy, circles of rash around the genital area, not your typical pimple/bumps. Same rash circles around arms and back, plus bumps (Shingles like bumps) that formed around the arms a few days later.
Doctor couldn't make sense out of it. So I started guessing on my own based on symptoms and pictures online. I had guessed that my Herpes, if it truly was that, caused me Shingles also. Doctor increased the dosage of Famvir then Valtrex to the heaviest possible a few days later for 14 days. Then 15 days later it all started to go away. But please keep in mind that I had tested positive to the HSV TYPE 1 blood test.
Exactly 4 weeks prior I had sex with someone I know well but that friend has never shown any symptoms.
Hello,
HSV-1 manifesting with a rash around the genital area is not common.
It is a very characteristic rash and a cluster of sores in the mouth, may or may not be associated with similar sores in the genital region.
Although in a few cases, HSV-IGG antibodies are present indicating a past infection, and it is seen 30 % of adult western population is positive. This could be due to a very mild infection in childhood. So you can repeat the test after a period of 3 months to confirm.
Now the rash you described could also be due to secondary causes such as heat, or some medication you used. Has it resolved completely now?
Feel free to discuss further,
Regards.
Yes, after 15 days it stopped spredding, then started to heal. Within a few days it all disappeared like it had never happened, thank God! It's now been 3 months with no symptoms what so ever.
I'm planing on getting tested again soon.
Back to the original question just to be sure please. The next test result will still and always be positive for the HSV antibodies, correct? And, what's with my result of 1.21 of HSV Type 2???
Hello,
This is a very confusing set of results.
The thing is if IGG is present got HSV-1 ( hopefully not a false positive ), then it denotes past infection.
The type of rash you described is more of a herpes-2 infection. HSV- Type 2 1.21, means equivocal, so a past infection can't be ruled out.
It is better you get yourself re-tested at the end of 3 months and follow-up with me. That will give a clearer picture. Get HSV-1,2 IGG as well as IGM antibody testing done.
Regards.