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

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Posted on Thu, 6 Aug 2015
Question: Yes I do have a question, hopefully I am able to be as clear in communicating my concern. first I was with a girl for 5 yrs she made some bad choices. I started dating another girl in XXXXXXX 2015 and was intimae the girl was from XXXXXXX and just had a bby in tx which it is common to test for std at that time so she was clean. My ex came to me in late feb told me she had a bump but didn't feel like an ingrown hair and hurt a little to pee. I wen in March to have a full panel test including Herpes. the NP that did my stuff called two days later and told me my HIV was inconclusive and I asked what that mean she state that mean it was or wasnt' detected and my hsv 1 and 2 were positive she proceeded to tel me about the index values which I interjected and told her that the index number have no indication of when or how long you may have had it. My ex was tested and sent me a screen shot of her results which were negative as well. so I have two females that are both negative and I am positive. I finally got my paperwork and the hiv stated not detected and I asked the NP where they sent test to be done and she could not answer my question she didn't know. I ordered a hsv1 and 2 test online from home-hiv-test dot com and it test for the igm and igg for hsv 1 and 2 and that tested negative for both so I am a little baffled. I have never had any symptoms or breakouts even with being under a lot of stress from mother having cancer and dad having a stroke last yr and ex cheating on me I also eat a lot of oranges and grapefruit and never have had a breakout so I am a little puzzled. Is it possible to have a false positive due to the testing maybe being tainted as well one of the vials they got very little blood.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (45 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
False positive results are not uncommon.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.

Yes, it is possible for these test results were being false positive, Technical errors, faulty labeling or faulty interpretation.
When the two of your sex partners were negative for both HSV and HIV infection and when you are sure that you have no other contact, then you need not bother about these results.
You can go for another test in a reputed laboratory. Best out of three ensures the results to be more emphatic.
Nothing much to worry.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)
was for hsv 1 and hsv 2 not hiv the teat I took at home was.negative for hsv 1 and 2 and so where both of the other two ladies is it possible that I could have had this for a while and just did.not infect either of them one.of them.I was with for 5 yrs and.never used protect but at the same.time.eat oranges and.grapefruit which usually triggers an outbreak as well as stress which I have had alot of and.nothing this is what is making me.consider that my original.test might have been tainted and.the NP was.not very competent when she told.me my hiv was inconclusive when.in actuality when.I read it it it stated not detected negative so would a second opinion be worth it or do I go on as if I dont have it since the hoMe kit tested for the igm and.igg for hsv 1 and 2 and.both were negative this was a dual.test that.they sent me the serum.to add to my blood once I pricked my finger and.put it in the container
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You are free from HIV and HSV. Confirm with another test

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Your NP confirmed that the subsequent tests for both HIV and HSV were non reactive. Your contact girls also are negative for HIV and HSV. So not to worry. Second opinion is not necessary. But another set of tests will confirm that you are free from HIV and HSV.
Dr S Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 hours later)
Um I think there was a lack of commucooperationrhe NP is the one that said my hiv was inconclusive and.I was positive for hsv 1 and 2 but when I got the paperwork for the hiv it stated not detected/ negative but I didnt get my paperowrk for the hsv 1 or 2. But yes both girls are negative for hsv 1 and 2. The.home test I took.also.showed negative for hsv 1 and 2 testing igm and igg for hsv 1 and 2. As well the NP didnt even know when.I asked what labshe sent it to so I could get with them.on what test they ran she had no reply as the NP didnt know where they sent it two so that is why I said I ha e confusion . The two girls negative, im negative on home test and.the NP not very knowledgeable or incompetent.in that area thats why I was asking on.your opinion for a second test or should I assume I am negative since the two girls are negative and the home test was negative as well as alot of erroneous infor from the NP. Thank you fo your assistance and cooperation.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Reconfirmation that you are free from HSV/HIV would relieve tension.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again.
I understand your concern.
Almost all test kits available in market are highly reliable, They are specific and sensitive to the extent of 97% or more including the home test kit. Anyhow you had some confusion with the expression of the first result. This will hinder your thinking and activities in future and you may be likely to correlate any type of ordinary illness like fever or head ache to the STD/HIV. So better to have another test and confirm that your 100% free from HSV/HIV. We need not discuss about the competency of that NP. We had two contradicting results. So we have to get it clear beyond any doubt.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (11 hours later)
The hsv 1 and 2 is the only thing I need tested for confirmation the result for hiv I have which was not detected ty for the feed back
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You can go for a retest for HSV 1 and 2 alone.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome once again.
It is okay.
You had mentioned in the first part of conversation that the HIV result was inconclusive. So only I mentioned for both.
Dr S.Murugan
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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan

HIV AIDS Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 3112 Questions

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

Brief Answer: False positive results are not uncommon. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HCM. Thanks for posting your query. Yes, it is possible for these test results were being false positive, Technical errors, faulty labeling or faulty interpretation. When the two of your sex partners were negative for both HSV and HIV infection and when you are sure that you have no other contact, then you need not bother about these results. You can go for another test in a reputed laboratory. Best out of three ensures the results to be more emphatic. Nothing much to worry. Dr S.Murugan