Does anyone know how to interpret the results of a blood test for herpes?
I am trying to figure out what my results are.
Am I positive or negative?
Someone must know how to understand these numbers.
Please help.

My results are:
HSV TYPE 1: <0.91
HSV TYPE 2: <0.91

REF. RANGE
0.00 - 0.90

UNITS
ISR

LOW
NORMAL X
HIGH

Any information would be great.
THANK YOU.
-SINATRA

Sinatra:

I understand your concern, I was tested a few weeks ago and had some difficulty in finding others able to help me with the results as well. It was frustrating. I did a lot of research on the web and called some testing labs and I'll share with you what I found out.

First, in order to interpret the results, more info is needed, like: how long was it between testing and exposure; have you had any symptoms; what kind of test was it; and are the numbers you presented IGM results or IGG.

From my research, if the resulting number from your blood is .90 or higher, there are enough antibodies present to be considered positive. Any number less than .90 is considered negative. No one will get a 0.00 because there is "background" noise in the testing (lab tech used that term). I'm not sure what background noise is, but if it's less than 0.90, that's a good thing!

From your results that you presented:

My results are:
HSV TYPE 1: <0.91
HSV TYPE 2: <0.91

It looks like it is reading that your numbers are Less that 0.91 for both H1 and H2, which would indicate that you would be negative for both. In terms of timing, I've read that testing should minimally be done 12 weeks after exposure then again at 16 weeks. So, depending on when your testing was done in relation to exposure, you may want to get tested again to make doubly sure.

Please do not use this information as a replacement for talking to your doctor. I would recommend talking to your doctor who did the testing to interpret the results.

Sinatra:

I understand your concern, I was tested a few weeks ago and had some difficulty in finding others able to help me with the results as well. It was frustrating. I did a lot of research on the web and called some testing labs and I'll share with you what I found out.

First, in order to interpret the results, more info is needed, like: how long was it between testing and exposure; have you had any symptoms; what kind of test was it; and are the numbers you presented IGM results or IGG.

From my research, if the resulting number from your blood is .90 or higher, there are enough antibodies present to be considered positive. Any number less than .90 is considered negative. No one will get a 0.00 because there is "background" noise in the testing (lab tech used that term). I'm not sure what background noise is, but if it's less than 0.90, that's a good thing!

From your results that you presented:

My results are:
HSV TYPE 1: <0.91
HSV TYPE 2: <0.91

It looks like it is reading that your numbers are Less that 0.91 for both H1 and H2, which would indicate that you would be negative for both. In terms of timing, I've read that testing should minimally be done 12 weeks after exposure then again at 16 weeks. So, depending on when your testing was done in relation to exposure, you may want to get tested again to make doubly sure.

Remember, this is based on info on the web, and I'm not a doctor. Please do not use this information as a replacement for talking to your doctor. I would recommend talking to your doctor who did the testing to interpret the results.

How long did you wait to get tested after exposure?

Mike

Mike,

It's been 6 and a half months since last possible exposure.
I have an appointment tomorrow to go over the results with my doctor.
I really appreciate your response.
Thank you so much,

Sinatra