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Is It Possible To Get False Positive For HSV 1 And 2 IGG Test?

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Posted on Mon, 5 Oct 2015
Question: I recently had a hsv 1 & 2 igg test my hsv 2 was high at 13.40 and my hsv 1 igg alwas high at 15.50 ...test 3 years ago negative for hsv 2 and hsv one was 2.51 ...could this be a false positive have you ever seen this happen
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
is not likely to occur

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

False positive for these tests are very very rare though they can occur.

Every test has a reported sensitivity and specificity that looks at how accurate it will be.
The specificity tells you about the chance of a false positive result. The specificity of the herpes test is generally 100% . This means that there is very little to no chance of a false positive.

Since the result was negative a few years ago, it would imply that the infection occurred during this time.
There are medications that can effectively treat herpes and also reduce the risk of break outs.

I hope this helps,feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (10 minutes later)
So what you are saying is that this I not a false positive I think I would have had an out break correct have had nothing
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
can be asymptomatic

Detailed Answer:
HI

There are persons who may have asymptomatic (have no symptoms) herpes infection picked up only on investigation

Acc to a medical article on medscape (can give the link and name if you wish), up to 80% of infection can , at some point, be asymptomatic.

It is even possible to transmit the infection asymptomatically meaning that an infected person can transmit the virus without a noticeable outbreak.

Acc to this same medical article, medical studies have found the virus 20 to 25% of days in persons who have no symptoms at the time. This is 6 to 7 days out of a month , with no symptoms, it may sometimes be possible to transmit.

This means that you may have been given the infection by someone who did not know they had the virus because they may not have experienced the typical symptoms either

Please feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 minute later)
Have you ever seen a false positive with these tests ...what would be a more specific test and is hsv 2 always genital
So does this mean I have genital herpes or not
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
yes , according to results you do have genital herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Yes, according to your blood test result you do have herpes and no false positive results are not known to occur. That would be very, very, very rare.
The test for herpes is very good.

A person can have herpes and no have any symptoms, it is detectable only when tests are done

If anything else unclear feel free to ask
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Is It Possible To Get False Positive For HSV 1 And 2 IGG Test?

Brief Answer: is not likely to occur Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic False positive for these tests are very very rare though they can occur. Every test has a reported sensitivity and specificity that looks at how accurate it will be. The specificity tells you about the chance of a false positive result. The specificity of the herpes test is generally 100% . This means that there is very little to no chance of a false positive. Since the result was negative a few years ago, it would imply that the infection occurred during this time. There are medications that can effectively treat herpes and also reduce the risk of break outs. I hope this helps,feel free to ask any other questions