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Could This Be A False Positive Or Do I Just Have It Herpes?
Posted on
Wed, 27 May 2020
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Wed, 27 May 2020
Answered on
Tue, 14 Oct 2025
Last reviewed on
Question : Good morning, i had blood drawn for Herpes type 2 and my level came back as of 1.81 . my last time i had sex was in september. A doctor told me my level should be at a 3.0 , could this be a false positive or do i just have it?
Brief Answer:
Upload the report
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Ask A Doctor.
Thanks for posting your query.
We have to know the 'cut off' value for your HSV 2 test? Whether it is IgG or IgM? HSV is not a life threatening disease. The test identify the antibodies against this infection. It may show an old infection. Not necessarily an active infection. Kindly upload the test report and other particulars like, do you've any symptoms, how long? Are there any history of recurrence. Are you married?
Nothing to worry.
Dr S Murugan
Upload the report
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Ask A Doctor.
Thanks for posting your query.
We have to know the 'cut off' value for your HSV 2 test? Whether it is IgG or IgM? HSV is not a life threatening disease. The test identify the antibodies against this infection. It may show an old infection. Not necessarily an active infection. Kindly upload the test report and other particulars like, do you've any symptoms, how long? Are there any history of recurrence. Are you married?
Nothing to worry.
Dr S Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Brief Answer:
Upload the report
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Ask A Doctor.
Thanks for posting your query.
We have to know the 'cut off' value for your HSV 2 test? Whether it is IgG or IgM? HSV is not a life threatening disease. The test identify the antibodies against this infection. It may show an old infection. Not necessarily an active infection. Kindly upload the test report and other particulars like, do you've any symptoms, how long? Are there any history of recurrence. Are you married?
Nothing to worry.
Dr S Murugan
Upload the report
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to Ask A Doctor.
Thanks for posting your query.
We have to know the 'cut off' value for your HSV 2 test? Whether it is IgG or IgM? HSV is not a life threatening disease. The test identify the antibodies against this infection. It may show an old infection. Not necessarily an active infection. Kindly upload the test report and other particulars like, do you've any symptoms, how long? Are there any history of recurrence. Are you married?
Nothing to worry.
Dr S Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I%E2%80%99ve been having pain in my bones and sharp pain all throughout my body and at time my anus tend to have like a burning sensation that last about 5 sec like it comes and goes randomly. I thought it could be something else. I have no bumps or blister or anything. I tested for both but type 1 I know I had the chicken pox as a kid and I no it can%E2%80%99t be transmitted unless I have a cold sore
If I%E2%80%99m positive, there%E2%80%99s no real cure for it, is there?
1. Can I have kids? I was reading and they said if you have a outbreak before birth then you%E2%80%99ll get a C-Section
2. If I have no outbreak can I still be able to receive oval sex
3. I heard that at times it goes un-active can it still be transmitted
I%E2%80%99m embarrassed to see my GYN I don%E2%80%99t know what to think or do
If I%E2%80%99m positive, there%E2%80%99s no real cure for it, is there?
1. Can I have kids? I was reading and they said if you have a outbreak before birth then you%E2%80%99ll get a C-Section
2. If I have no outbreak can I still be able to receive oval sex
3. I heard that at times it goes un-active can it still be transmitted
I%E2%80%99m embarrassed to see my GYN I don%E2%80%99t know what to think or do
I%E2%80%99ve been having pain in my bones and sharp pain all throughout my body and at time my anus tend to have like a burning sensation that last about 5 sec like it comes and goes randomly. I thought it could be something else. I have no bumps or blister or anything. I tested for both but type 1 I know I had the chicken pox as a kid and I no it can%E2%80%99t be transmitted unless I have a cold sore
If I%E2%80%99m positive, there%E2%80%99s no real cure for it, is there?
1. Can I have kids? I was reading and they said if you have a outbreak before birth then you%E2%80%99ll get a C-Section
2. If I have no outbreak can I still be able to receive oval sex
3. I heard that at times it goes un-active can it still be transmitted
I%E2%80%99m embarrassed to see my GYN I don%E2%80%99t know what to think or do
If I%E2%80%99m positive, there%E2%80%99s no real cure for it, is there?
1. Can I have kids? I was reading and they said if you have a outbreak before birth then you%E2%80%99ll get a C-Section
2. If I have no outbreak can I still be able to receive oval sex
3. I heard that at times it goes un-active can it still be transmitted
I%E2%80%99m embarrassed to see my GYN I don%E2%80%99t know what to think or do
I%E2%80%99ve been having pain in my bones and sharp pain all throughout my body and at time my anus tend to have like a burning sensation that last about 5 sec like it comes and goes randomly. I thought it could be something else. I have no bumps or blister or anything. I tested for both but type 1 I know I had the chicken pox as a kid and I no it can%E2%80%99t be transmitted unless I have a cold sore
If I%E2%80%99m positive, there%E2%80%99s no real cure for it, is there?
1. Can I have kids? I was reading and they said if you have a outbreak before birth then you%E2%80%99ll get a C-Section
2. If I have no outbreak can I still be able to receive oval sex
3. I heard that at times it goes un-active can it still be transmitted
I%E2%80%99m embarrassed to see my GYN I don%E2%80%99t know what to think or do
im not sure why the firat meassage came out like that
If I%E2%80%99m positive, there%E2%80%99s no real cure for it, is there?
1. Can I have kids? I was reading and they said if you have a outbreak before birth then you%E2%80%99ll get a C-Section
2. If I have no outbreak can I still be able to receive oval sex
3. I heard that at times it goes un-active can it still be transmitted
I%E2%80%99m embarrassed to see my GYN I don%E2%80%99t know what to think or do
im not sure why the firat meassage came out like that
I%E2%80%99ve been having pain in my bones and sharp pain all throughout my body and at time my anus tend to have like a burning sensation that last about 5 sec like it comes and goes randomly. I thought it could be something else. I have no bumps or blister or anything. I tested for both but type 1 I know I had the chicken pox as a kid and I no it can%E2%80%99t be transmitted unless I have a cold sore
If I%E2%80%99m positive, there%E2%80%99s no real cure for it, is there?
1. Can I have kids? I was reading and they said if you have a outbreak before birth then you%E2%80%99ll get a C-Section
2. If I have no outbreak can I still be able to receive oval sex
3. I heard that at times it goes un-active can it still be transmitted
I%E2%80%99m embarrassed to see my GYN I don%E2%80%99t know what to think or do
im not sure why the firat meassage came out like that
If I%E2%80%99m positive, there%E2%80%99s no real cure for it, is there?
1. Can I have kids? I was reading and they said if you have a outbreak before birth then you%E2%80%99ll get a C-Section
2. If I have no outbreak can I still be able to receive oval sex
3. I heard that at times it goes un-active can it still be transmitted
I%E2%80%99m embarrassed to see my GYN I don%E2%80%99t know what to think or do
im not sure why the firat meassage came out like that
Brief Answer:
Test report says that you are having antibodies for both HSV1 and 2
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
In the patient profile I am seeing your gender as male, but you are asking about child birth and wrote that you had seen Gynecologist. Clarify the same. I%E2%80%99m, %E2%80%99ll --- not able to understand.
Oval sex ?
As per your test, both the test for HSV 1 and 2 are positive. It means that you are having antibodies for both HSV 1 and 2. It indicates that you may have an active infection or that you had come across the infections once. Go for RNA PCR for HSV to know that you are having virus or not.
Patients with HSV had children.
If the woman with HSV has recurrent episode after 32 weeks of gestation during her pregnancy, she has to be preferably taken for caesarean section. Otherwise not worry. You can have babies.
It is true it can be transmitted even in the absence of manifestation before and after the episodes due to viral shedding. It is not a life threatening disease
Dr S.Murugan
Test report says that you are having antibodies for both HSV1 and 2
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
In the patient profile I am seeing your gender as male, but you are asking about child birth and wrote that you had seen Gynecologist. Clarify the same. I%E2%80%99m, %E2%80%99ll --- not able to understand.
Oval sex ?
As per your test, both the test for HSV 1 and 2 are positive. It means that you are having antibodies for both HSV 1 and 2. It indicates that you may have an active infection or that you had come across the infections once. Go for RNA PCR for HSV to know that you are having virus or not.
Patients with HSV had children.
If the woman with HSV has recurrent episode after 32 weeks of gestation during her pregnancy, she has to be preferably taken for caesarean section. Otherwise not worry. You can have babies.
It is true it can be transmitted even in the absence of manifestation before and after the episodes due to viral shedding. It is not a life threatening disease
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Test report says that you are having antibodies for both HSV1 and 2
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
In the patient profile I am seeing your gender as male, but you are asking about child birth and wrote that you had seen Gynecologist. Clarify the same. I%E2%80%99m, %E2%80%99ll --- not able to understand.
Oval sex ?
As per your test, both the test for HSV 1 and 2 are positive. It means that you are having antibodies for both HSV 1 and 2. It indicates that you may have an active infection or that you had come across the infections once. Go for RNA PCR for HSV to know that you are having virus or not.
Patients with HSV had children.
If the woman with HSV has recurrent episode after 32 weeks of gestation during her pregnancy, she has to be preferably taken for caesarean section. Otherwise not worry. You can have babies.
It is true it can be transmitted even in the absence of manifestation before and after the episodes due to viral shedding. It is not a life threatening disease
Dr S.Murugan
Test report says that you are having antibodies for both HSV1 and 2
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
In the patient profile I am seeing your gender as male, but you are asking about child birth and wrote that you had seen Gynecologist. Clarify the same. I%E2%80%99m, %E2%80%99ll --- not able to understand.
Oval sex ?
As per your test, both the test for HSV 1 and 2 are positive. It means that you are having antibodies for both HSV 1 and 2. It indicates that you may have an active infection or that you had come across the infections once. Go for RNA PCR for HSV to know that you are having virus or not.
Patients with HSV had children.
If the woman with HSV has recurrent episode after 32 weeks of gestation during her pregnancy, she has to be preferably taken for caesarean section. Otherwise not worry. You can have babies.
It is true it can be transmitted even in the absence of manifestation before and after the episodes due to viral shedding. It is not a life threatening disease
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I don’t why it says male, I’m a female. Is it possible I can receive oral sex or could that be transmitted as well even if I don’t have any outbreaks
I don’t why it says male, I’m a female. Is it possible I can receive oral sex or could that be transmitted as well even if I don’t have any outbreaks
Brief Answer:
STI lesions in females may not be seen obvious always.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
I cannot say with this result alone (it could be a past infection) that whether it could be transmitted through oral sex or not. In women the lesions may not be seen outside always as with men due to the nature of anatomy. Vaginal wall and cervical lesion can not be seen or felt by the individual.
I can give two suggestions to you.
1. You can have suppressive therapy for HSV for months or years.Then you will not get any symptoms, you will not transmit the virus to any one either through oral sex or vaginal sex or kissing.
2. By taking suppressive therapy, even if you conceive you will not transit the infection to your baby. C-Section in any case there is any symptoms after 32 weeks of pregnancy.
Since forty years I have treated hundreds of genital herpes patients and couples. Myself and my colleague pediatricians are yet to see a single case of Herpes infection in a new born acquired fro mother.
Dr S.Murugan
STI lesions in females may not be seen obvious always.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
I cannot say with this result alone (it could be a past infection) that whether it could be transmitted through oral sex or not. In women the lesions may not be seen outside always as with men due to the nature of anatomy. Vaginal wall and cervical lesion can not be seen or felt by the individual.
I can give two suggestions to you.
1. You can have suppressive therapy for HSV for months or years.Then you will not get any symptoms, you will not transmit the virus to any one either through oral sex or vaginal sex or kissing.
2. By taking suppressive therapy, even if you conceive you will not transit the infection to your baby. C-Section in any case there is any symptoms after 32 weeks of pregnancy.
Since forty years I have treated hundreds of genital herpes patients and couples. Myself and my colleague pediatricians are yet to see a single case of Herpes infection in a new born acquired fro mother.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
STI lesions in females may not be seen obvious always.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
I cannot say with this result alone (it could be a past infection) that whether it could be transmitted through oral sex or not. In women the lesions may not be seen outside always as with men due to the nature of anatomy. Vaginal wall and cervical lesion can not be seen or felt by the individual.
I can give two suggestions to you.
1. You can have suppressive therapy for HSV for months or years.Then you will not get any symptoms, you will not transmit the virus to any one either through oral sex or vaginal sex or kissing.
2. By taking suppressive therapy, even if you conceive you will not transit the infection to your baby. C-Section in any case there is any symptoms after 32 weeks of pregnancy.
Since forty years I have treated hundreds of genital herpes patients and couples. Myself and my colleague pediatricians are yet to see a single case of Herpes infection in a new born acquired fro mother.
Dr S.Murugan
STI lesions in females may not be seen obvious always.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
I cannot say with this result alone (it could be a past infection) that whether it could be transmitted through oral sex or not. In women the lesions may not be seen outside always as with men due to the nature of anatomy. Vaginal wall and cervical lesion can not be seen or felt by the individual.
I can give two suggestions to you.
1. You can have suppressive therapy for HSV for months or years.Then you will not get any symptoms, you will not transmit the virus to any one either through oral sex or vaginal sex or kissing.
2. By taking suppressive therapy, even if you conceive you will not transit the infection to your baby. C-Section in any case there is any symptoms after 32 weeks of pregnancy.
Since forty years I have treated hundreds of genital herpes patients and couples. Myself and my colleague pediatricians are yet to see a single case of Herpes infection in a new born acquired fro mother.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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