What Test Should Be Done To Diagnose Herpes?

Posted on Mon, 17 Nov 2014

Question: Good evening.i hope someone can heIp me here.Recently I had acomplete blood test including hsv1&2. My Igg result came back positive for hsv2 at titer 1.63 which in my country is a borderline (low prevalence country). They did two more tests to confirm.. one igm test which was negative and pcr blood test (combined for 1&2) which came back negative. I am mortified as 5months ago I had a pimple white head on my clitoris which after taking a hot bath turned into a sore.i went docs and was told its only candida..now im not sure what to do and doctors here know close to nothing about this. I spoke to my ex partners immediately just in case and past 6years of my sexual history is all clear results..im so confused about the issue. I had no other incidents like that one then since...

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Herpes testing; likely was false positive IgG test

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic

I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query.

If the IgG antibody titre is just about enough to be higher than the lab’s reference range for positive Or is borderline and you do not have any symptoms, in my view that is most likely a false positive.
It should be retested using a different method.

IgM test is not of much relevance in diagnosis of herpes.

Moreover PCR is highly accurate, even more accurate than culture and a negative test for Hsv type 1 & 2 by PCR rules out herpes altogether.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (4 hours later)

thanks for your answer. I am just concerned because when I had that white head pimple it turned into an ulcer like and it lasted a while altho no itching or clusters. doctors here do not take these issues seriously and know close to nothing about it. so..is there a chance I could still have it? pcr blood test was a combined 1, 2 hsv test is that also accurate? I really am scared as I would hate it to give it to someone else so now im not dating due to this results and just push people away :(

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
PCR is highly accurate

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

PCR for HSV type 1 and 2 is highly accurate and a negative test rules out herpes altogether.
You may repeat a test for HSV IgG after a gap of a few days and preferably from a different lab

The lesion may have been an aphthous ulcer. Moreover you were told that it is not herpes.
Clinical examination is confirmatory in cases of herpes

Regards

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju