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Is S False Positive Possible In An HSV1/2 Blood Test?

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Posted on Tue, 3 Feb 2015
Question: Hello

Is it possible to have false positive in a HSV-1/2 blood test?
How accurate is it?
If I think I'm showing a symptoms (for the past week), and took a blood test today for it how accurate would it be?
Do you know what LabCorp is and if they are good at what they do?
and how accurate would the test be if it comes back to me in 2 to 3 days, because i took the test from tSTD website.

thanks for your time.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
False positive results are more in HSV 2 blood test.

Detailed Answer:
Hello

HSV-1 ELISA results are considered to be reliable because HSV-1 is ubiquitous in most populations.However,false positive HSV-2 ELISA results are more often seen when testing is done in populations with a lower prevalence of HSV-2.

HSV-1/2 blood test is based upon presence of antibodies.These tests are generally ELISA based technology and there may be false positive results.So, now a days virus culture is considered as gold standard,it is direct visualization technique(Sample is taken from lesion). DNA tests like PCR can also be done when symptoms are present.PCR test for viral DNA or RNA and allow for more rapid and accurate results.

Your condition need clinical correlation and you should wait for results.

Sorry,I don't have much idea about LabCorp but it can be assumed that they follow standard protocol.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Indu Kumar

Radiologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 6729 Questions

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Is S False Positive Possible In An HSV1/2 Blood Test?

Brief Answer: False positive results are more in HSV 2 blood test. Detailed Answer: Hello HSV-1 ELISA results are considered to be reliable because HSV-1 is ubiquitous in most populations.However,false positive HSV-2 ELISA results are more often seen when testing is done in populations with a lower prevalence of HSV-2. HSV-1/2 blood test is based upon presence of antibodies.These tests are generally ELISA based technology and there may be false positive results.So, now a days virus culture is considered as gold standard,it is direct visualization technique(Sample is taken from lesion). DNA tests like PCR can also be done when symptoms are present.PCR test for viral DNA or RNA and allow for more rapid and accurate results. Your condition need clinical correlation and you should wait for results. Sorry,I don't have much idea about LabCorp but it can be assumed that they follow standard protocol. Get well soon. Hope I have answered your question. Further queries are most welcome. Take Care Dr.Indu XXXXXXX