Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Tests To Diagnose Herpes Infection
Question: I got tested for herpes .. The test came back as weakly detected ..what dose that mean .. Plz help me mylife it over
Brief Answer:
More information needed. Result not necessarily confirms herpes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXX,
I understand your query. Herpes is surely a disease that is troublesome, but life should continue, as nowdays there are lots of possible ways to treat it and keep it under control.
First of all, you need to make sure if you have the infection or not. Tests to diagnose herpes often show results that are false for the infection when the person has it, or the opposite...a person results positive, but he may not have it. For this reason, often the tests needs to be repeated several times to confirm or rule out herpes.
I would need some information from you so I can give the correct recommendations.
-- Why you got tested for herpes: Have you had sores, where, for how long?
-- Is this the first time?
-- What is the test that showed the result you mention above called? There are several methods to diagnose herpes, and some are more sensitive, others are specific.
-- Are you sexually active? For how long? How many partners? Regular relationship? Have you been using protection? (will be able to understand the risk for herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases)
-- When did you do the test? How far apart from the last sexual partner you had?
I'm sorry that the questions may make you little uncomfortable, but in order to understand correctly your problem and help you in the best way possible, I will need you to be open to me.
Let me know that information when possible. I will be happy to answer all your questions afterwards.
Take care.
Dr. Klarida.
More information needed. Result not necessarily confirms herpes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXX,
I understand your query. Herpes is surely a disease that is troublesome, but life should continue, as nowdays there are lots of possible ways to treat it and keep it under control.
First of all, you need to make sure if you have the infection or not. Tests to diagnose herpes often show results that are false for the infection when the person has it, or the opposite...a person results positive, but he may not have it. For this reason, often the tests needs to be repeated several times to confirm or rule out herpes.
I would need some information from you so I can give the correct recommendations.
-- Why you got tested for herpes: Have you had sores, where, for how long?
-- Is this the first time?
-- What is the test that showed the result you mention above called? There are several methods to diagnose herpes, and some are more sensitive, others are specific.
-- Are you sexually active? For how long? How many partners? Regular relationship? Have you been using protection? (will be able to understand the risk for herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases)
-- When did you do the test? How far apart from the last sexual partner you had?
I'm sorry that the questions may make you little uncomfortable, but in order to understand correctly your problem and help you in the best way possible, I will need you to be open to me.
Let me know that information when possible. I will be happy to answer all your questions afterwards.
Take care.
Dr. Klarida.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Like about six months ago I notice a dot on my penis so I was like it could be a pimple so I didnt attention to it .. Than like 2 months ago I otice a Second dot In the low part of my penis . That's when I got worry so I went to get test it
I was sexually active for like four month swich I used protection I only slept with 3 times in the four month I was sexually active
I was sexually active for like four month swich I used protection I only slept with 3 times in the four month I was sexually active
Brief Answer:
Your result is not reliable. Repeat the testing to confirm.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
As I told you before the testing for herpes is very unreliable and without adequate testing you may be told you are infected with genital herpes and not be, or the other way around.
Also, from what you are telling me the risk for you to have herpes is very low. Its a very unfortunate coincidence to have taken herpes from 1-2 partners. If that is the case, talk with your partner, because if she gets tested and its negative, then your result of "weakly positive" may be a false positive.
There are 3 possible tests that have different sensitivity and specificity, and a swab from base of genital lesion can be tested by: 1)viral culture 2)herpes simplex virus antigen detection 3)polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of HSV DNA.
You don't give info which of these have done, but reconfirming with one of the others, if you have another outbreak, would be something I recommend.
So, to summarize the answer of your question I think that a result of weakly positive is not a confirmation that you have herpes. Consider repeating the test, sometimes several times is needed; you are low risk to having herpes so this is a reason to be very doubtful too about the first result; talk with your partner, so she can test also, because if you are positive or not, depends on weather she was infectious during the time you had sexual relationships.
Hope I have answered your question.
Please let me know If you have any other question, or otherwise rate the question.
Take care.
Dr. Klarida.
Your result is not reliable. Repeat the testing to confirm.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
As I told you before the testing for herpes is very unreliable and without adequate testing you may be told you are infected with genital herpes and not be, or the other way around.
Also, from what you are telling me the risk for you to have herpes is very low. Its a very unfortunate coincidence to have taken herpes from 1-2 partners. If that is the case, talk with your partner, because if she gets tested and its negative, then your result of "weakly positive" may be a false positive.
There are 3 possible tests that have different sensitivity and specificity, and a swab from base of genital lesion can be tested by: 1)viral culture 2)herpes simplex virus antigen detection 3)polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of HSV DNA.
You don't give info which of these have done, but reconfirming with one of the others, if you have another outbreak, would be something I recommend.
So, to summarize the answer of your question I think that a result of weakly positive is not a confirmation that you have herpes. Consider repeating the test, sometimes several times is needed; you are low risk to having herpes so this is a reason to be very doubtful too about the first result; talk with your partner, so she can test also, because if you are positive or not, depends on weather she was infectious during the time you had sexual relationships.
Hope I have answered your question.
Please let me know If you have any other question, or otherwise rate the question.
Take care.
Dr. Klarida.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
This are my test results herpes simplex type 1&2 igm(1)
HSv type 1 abs (ifa) not detected not detected
HSv type 2 igm abs (ifa) weakly detected not detected
Hiv 1/2 antibody non-reactive non-reactive
HSv 1 >8.0 al <0.8
<=8 al negative
0.9-1.0 equivocal
>=1.1 al positive
HSv 2 lgm <2 al <0.8
<=0.8al
0.9-1.0al equivocal
>=1.1 al positive
Herpes simplex type 1&2 lgm (1)
HSv type 1 lgm abs (iFa). Not-detected not-detected
HSv type 2 lgm abs (lFa) weakly detected not detected.
DOES ARE MY RESULTS
HSv type 1 abs (ifa) not detected not detected
HSv type 2 igm abs (ifa) weakly detected not detected
Hiv 1/2 antibody non-reactive non-reactive
HSv 1 >8.0 al <0.8
<=8 al negative
0.9-1.0 equivocal
>=1.1 al positive
HSv 2 lgm <2 al <0.8
<=0.8al
0.9-1.0al equivocal
>=1.1 al positive
Herpes simplex type 1&2 lgm (1)
HSv type 1 lgm abs (iFa). Not-detected not-detected
HSv type 2 lgm abs (lFa) weakly detected not detected.
DOES ARE MY RESULTS
Brief Answer:
The least accurate test done- not diagnostic.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again XXXXXX,
Thank you for the information provided.
From what I see you have a weakly detected positive result of IGM (antibodies) with the immunofluorescence assay (IFA). A positive result of the presence of IgM antibodies indicates recent infection. It is a very inaccurate exam, and it can result in many false positive cases due to the fact that these antibodies can appear in the blood from other recent infections.
IgG is the antibodies who shows us specifically if the herpes virus is in the body, but for it to appear in the blood will need more time to exposure. So, my advise will be the same as above--Repeat the test and this time looking for IgG, after 3-6 months.
Also, the labs mentioned above, the PCR and the viral culture are much more accurate. You have done the least accurate from all the tests available for herpes detection. If you can do one of these others, will surely be better.
As I explained before, your low risk of getting infected, and the test done who surely is not a diagnostic one, makes me not much worried about that result. But checking it, will give you a peace of mind.
Let me know if you have any other question.
Dr. Klarida.
The least accurate test done- not diagnostic.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again XXXXXX,
Thank you for the information provided.
From what I see you have a weakly detected positive result of IGM (antibodies) with the immunofluorescence assay (IFA). A positive result of the presence of IgM antibodies indicates recent infection. It is a very inaccurate exam, and it can result in many false positive cases due to the fact that these antibodies can appear in the blood from other recent infections.
IgG is the antibodies who shows us specifically if the herpes virus is in the body, but for it to appear in the blood will need more time to exposure. So, my advise will be the same as above--Repeat the test and this time looking for IgG, after 3-6 months.
Also, the labs mentioned above, the PCR and the viral culture are much more accurate. You have done the least accurate from all the tests available for herpes detection. If you can do one of these others, will surely be better.
As I explained before, your low risk of getting infected, and the test done who surely is not a diagnostic one, makes me not much worried about that result. But checking it, will give you a peace of mind.
Let me know if you have any other question.
Dr. Klarida.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Brief Answer:
Correct, that is the treatment required in herpes. Will need a prescription
Detailed Answer:
Hello, yes that is the treatment to be taken. You will need a prescription to take it.
The treatment can be taken before confirmation of diagnoses if you have sores and vesicles that have not more then 48 hours that have appeared, otherwise it won't help.
Be careful to go as soon as possible to see a doctor if you will start with sores next time. Meanwhile make the test to confirm the diagnoses.
Hope that is helpful and answers your question.
If you have no questions any more please accept the answer.
Take care.
Correct, that is the treatment required in herpes. Will need a prescription
Detailed Answer:
Hello, yes that is the treatment to be taken. You will need a prescription to take it.
The treatment can be taken before confirmation of diagnoses if you have sores and vesicles that have not more then 48 hours that have appeared, otherwise it won't help.
Be careful to go as soon as possible to see a doctor if you will start with sores next time. Meanwhile make the test to confirm the diagnoses.
Hope that is helpful and answers your question.
If you have no questions any more please accept the answer.
Take care.
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
