What Causes Positive False Test Results For HSV 1 And 2?

Posted on Thu, 9 Jul 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 9 Jul 2015 Answered on

Fri, 7 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Yes im pretty active I recently split from my ex she made some bad choices I started dating another girl from tx who just had a baby last augus and the tested her for std's she was negative my ex came.back into my life and I was intimate her so basically I was with both I was previously with my x for four yrs and.unprotected sex during that time. My ex tells me in feb she has a.bump on her southern area and it doesnt feel like an.ingrown hair and hurts a little to pee so I get myself tested at tge begining of march two days later the NP called and gave me my results she said my hiv was inconclusive and my hsv 1 and 2 were positive she was telling me about tge index numbers and I had to correct her and saay they have no weight as to how long or when I got this. They did the igg type specific test.Couple weeks llater my ex gets tested and comes back negativr. I have never had an outbreak even under alot of stress that I have been I eat alot of food that would typically force a break out if someone were tohave one lots of oranges and grapefuit ect. So I ordered a home test kit that was a dual plane to test for hsv 1 and 2 for igm and igg which showed negative for both so im lost and confused could the test from the Np havebeen tainted as well the NP couldnt tell me where they send there test so I could speak to the lab. Any assistance you may give light to shed on this situation would be appreciated.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Doing another test will confirm your HSV 1 and 2 and HIV negative result

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for writing in.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. Since both your partners tested negative for HSV 1 and 2 therefore it is unlikely that you will test positive. There might have been a confusion and also the home test is negative. Therefore it is not a serious concern but due to lack of communication and confusion arising with the NP, it is better to do another test and have documentary evidence that your HSV 1 and 2 for IgG IgM is negative.

2. Should there be confusion about the HIV test which is inconclusive, I suggest you get a rapid 4th generation ELISA test for HIV I II and p24. This shold be done at 6 months from last suspected exposure for confirmation.

3. In conclusion. please do not worry much about the HSV test oral communication and there can always be a mistake at the other end with the NP.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

I recieved the paperwork for the hiv test and it states not detected. But im just confused how.I can.be with two women and one of them.the ex I was with for 5 yrs and had unprotected sex 99 percent of the time and her be negative is that or would that even be possible as well as the other girl. Ieat lots.of stuff that would typically give a herpes outbreak like nuts oranges and lots of grapefruit. The Np also didnt know where they send the bloodtest to which made me question her compentency and credibility and is it possible even though it was an igg type specific test igg/igm that it may have cross reacted or the test been tainted somehow.

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You might take the HSV-1 and HSV-2 Quantitative Real time PCR test

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. IgM is for a recent infection and IgG is for old infection. Many people might have the IgG antibodies due to the extensive prevalence of the herpes infections. In the event of you suspecting some sort of antibody cross reactions then you might go for Herpes Simplex Virus 1 & 2 (HSV-1 & HSV-2) Quantitative Real time PCR test. This test has high accuracy and no cross reactivity between the HSV-1 and HSV-2 primers.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (8 hours later)

Yes I went to have another test done and if it comes back positive for both.I will ask for the pcr quantitative test, cause I have never had any genital out break ever I can deal with hsv 1 as 80 percent of the population has that ty
There is one thing though how come the home test for hsv 1 and 2 both showed negative each had its own dis for the hsv 1 it had a spot for igm and igg which was negative same for the hsv 2 test how come that one didnt cross react is it possibly due to having seperate dish but I will find out soon with my new results

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Lets hope for a negative result in the next test

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. You are on the right track in your opinion about doing the PCR test and let us hope for negative result consistently.

2. The home test report in your case is acceptable. These are special kits and made for quick screening for disease and meant to be used as recommended.

3. I dont think there was any reason to expect cross reactivity.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (25 hours later)

Well I recieved my results on my igg test for hsv 1 and 2. I was positive for both with an index number of 5.0 on both the dr said its not a recent infection and I have had it for a while and I asked whats a while.like what six months and he said no but couldnt give me an exact time frame my question is I have only dated one other girl when.my ex and I split up.that was at the six month mark I have been with my ex for five years and she sent me screen shot of her results since she works in a health care position but never the actually seen the paper copy she is very conniving and vinitictive so is it possible in the five years if I had it longer than that that she didnt contract it and I recently just had what seems a rash on.my balls appear two days and its been about a month since me and my ex were intimate.so I am just confused and feel like my ex gave this too me

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please find details below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. The positive hsv 1 and 2 results IgG need to be discussed. IgG is raised when there is a remote infection and your doctor confirms that.

2. Infection with hsv 1 and 2 are oral and genital but occasionally they can also be spread by non sexual routes like deep kissing and oral sex. I mean the oral hsv might cause genital rashes and genital hsv might cause oral rashes and this happens less commonly.

3. Regarding the recent rashes, hsv 1 and 2 might cause rashes even months to years after first infection. Therefore with IgG positive earlier also rashes might be expected now.

4. It is difficult to pin point the person who gave it to you because hsv is widely prevalent and her reports are not confirmed as mentioned by you.

5. If your rashes have started then I suggest consulting a doctor and taking medicine to suppress the symptoms.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar