I have a quick question about the Type 1 & 2 HSV test for detecting IgM
antibodies (recent exposure). I have been reading a lot on this topic
lately and would like to know if it possible to get a false positive for
this test if you've been exposed to the "chickenpox" virus as a child.
Is it possible for IgM antobodies that were produced in respone to the
chickenpox infection to stay around for 10+ years and cause a "false positive"
result for the Type 1 & 2 HSV IgM test?

Thank you for taking the time to read this & responding,

Paul.

I'm not sure if chicken pox antibodies affect the HSV blood test. I doubt it because I've been blood tested several times with different doctors and none mentioned false positives because of chicken pox.

Athough they did tell me that there are false positives due to the "cross over" of type I and II herpes and "borderline positives". For instance, a positive test for HSV is 1.0 or higher. Anything below 1.0 is negative.

For example, if you score a 1.3, then technically you're positive for HSV. However, since it's so close to negative (borderlined) it could actually be false positive the first time you take it.

The only way to be sure is to retest approximately 3-4 months later. At that time if your antibody count increases (e.g. 1.8 or 2.0) then chances are that you really do have herpes. Anything over 2.0 is almost certainly positive. However, if your count decreases or stays at around 1.0-1.2 then there's a good chance you don't have it.

This is exactly what happened to me. I get cold sores and my blood test initially revealed a 1.3 type I and 1.4 type II. This wasn't the Ig test. I was devastated to think I have type II when I never had any genital symptoms even though I knew you could have it with no symptoms. Anyway I retested 3 months later using the Ig test and my type II count was negative and type I remained the same. Thus, the doctor concluded that I only had type I and not type II. I tried it again for a third time another 3 months later and same result, negative for type II.

Anyway, i hope that helped a little, Sorry it's so long.


Take Care.

I'm still coping with this and was hoping for the second test to be diffrent but with those #'s mine were Igg 4.34 and Igm 9.32 I know I have it and having a diffuclt time dealing with it. I have a previous post but no one responed. I went to my docs and He actully told me not to waste my money on all the stuff out there for the so called red marine algee ect... Hes not even going to put me on a surpresant med. told me to take vitams and lysine eat right and get excersise. having another test right now to see if I have a deeper infection because of the hot spots I get in my head
thanks for listening

A lot of drs are prejudiced against alternative medicines. Some are very open to it. In the end, it's you who have to live with the virus, not him. Different remedies work for different people; some people can't tolerate the suppressives, either. So the best thing to do is to experiment. I don't have a lot of money, so I don't tend to buy the real expensive stuff. Generally my ob's are under control if I do just what your dr said: eat right, sleep LOTS, exercise, and stay peaceful. It's interesting that he recommended lysine, since that doesn't work for everybody either!

thanks backpacker,
I do have a bad tollarance to meds so think this is one of the reasons,but he usually tends to try to do things more hollistic so it kind of suprised me also.also I had to have more blood work to see if there is a deeper infection cause I'm getting hot spots in my head which is so weirdand my cheeks and face get fire engine hot so not sure if if hes waiting on that to come back before he does anything. I have been with my doc for over 15 years and knows me pretty well. thanks for your reply Moondancer

I'm not sure if chicken pox antibodies affect the HSV blood test. I doubt it because I've been blood tested several times with different doctors and none mentioned false positives because of chicken pox.

Athough they did tell me that there are false positives due to the "cross over" of type I and II herpes and "borderline positives". For instance, a positive test for HSV is 1.0 or higher. Anything below 1.0 is negative.

For example, if you score a 1.3, then technically you're positive for HSV. However, since it's so close to negative (borderlined) it could actually be false positive the first time you take it.

The only way to be sure is to retest approximately 3-4 months later. At that time if your antibody count increases (e.g. 1.8 or 2.0) then chances are that you really do have herpes. Anything over 2.0 is almost certainly positive. However, if your count decreases or stays at around 1.0-1.2 then there's a good chance you don't have it.

This is exactly what happened to me. I get cold sores and my blood test initially revealed a 1.3 type I and 1.4 type II. This wasn't the Ig test. I was devastated to think I have type II when I never had any genital symptoms even though I knew you could have it with no symptoms. Anyway I retested 3 months later using the Ig test and my type II count was negative and type I remained the same. Thus, the doctor concluded that I only had type I and not type II. I tried it again for a third time another 3 months later and same result, negative for type II.

Anyway, i hope that helped a little, Sorry it's so long.


Take Care.
What about a culture test? can it misinterpret the results for like shingles or another virus of the herpes family?

I tested positive for herpes via culture but three blood tests later...and I'm neg for hsv 1/2. I believe I had shingles, my grandma had them on her genitals too.

May,
I'm not sure if shingles affects a culture test. From what "gurlie" posted, it seems it's possible to get a false-positive.

What my doctor did tell me though is that a culture test is more accurate when compared to a blood test because they take a sample directly from the symptom you have.

Whereas with a blood test you may test positive and not know where it's coming from if you've never had any real symptoms.

they should be able to tell herpes simplex from herpes zoster. It looks different.