Farmingdale, NY
A 50-year-old female asked:
Can someone with genital herpes have a western blot when there's no outbreak?ive had hsv1 on mouth many times,blood test said hsv2 1.25 & hsv1 5.0
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ed Friedlanderanswered
Pathology 46 years experience
Of course: These serologic tests tell you nothing about whether you ever have outbreaks. Many of us question their value except in confirming clinical suspicion of active or episodic infection.
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3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Claude Parolaanswered
Internal Medicine 42 years experience
HSV western blot: A western blot is perform to confirm an ELISA positive test ( antibody detection). When an antibody is detected , it doesn't tell 100% of the time if it is because of HSV or from any other virus, so to determine if it is due to HSV for example, certain protein from a known sample of HSV is made to react with the antibody detected to see if it is from HSV or not, active infection isn't necessary
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Related questions
A 19-year-old male asked:
Fingered a girl with genital herpes 2 months ago. Washed hands for 5 min right after. Noticed cold sore on lip but do have hsv1. Is it possibly hsv2?
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Hard to say: Hsv 1 is more often linked to cold sores at the lip margins while hsv 2 is most often linked with genital lesions. However, both strains are occasiona... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
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A 24-year-old male asked:
Tested negative for hsv2 three times. Two cultures and one blood test. Could it be hsv1? Genitally ?
Dr. Jeff Livingstonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 24 years experience
Check tests : Usually a herpes culture is done for both herpes one and herpes 2. If either shows up the test will be positive. Herpes blood testing is different. Th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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A 20-year-old female asked:
I had an IGG serology test that came back positive for HSV1 & negative for HSV2.How can I find out if its oral or genital?I've never had an outbreak.
Dr. Al Hegabanswered
Allergy and Immunology 42 years experience
HSV1 stands for oral: while HSV2 stands for the genital form, you don't need to have an outbreak, those antibodies mean that you were exposed, disease can spread even if th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old male asked:
Doctor. Can Genital Herpes-HSV2 Be Contacted in other ways,Apart from Sex,Oral Sex or Kissing. Can a Virgin Male Contact Hsv2 by just shaking, touching or Bodily Contact .Symptoms similar to Genital herpes but IGG Test Negative for both HSV1 and 2?
Dr. Birendra Tandananswered
Urology 36 years experience
No not in the ways you mention. If you have genital symptoms which you suspect may be herpes see a urologist when you have the symptoms. Somehow I dou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Nov 21, 2021
Dr. Hunter Handsfield commented
Infectious Disease 55 years experience
If tested more than ~3 mo since exposed or onset of symptoms, then it is 100% certain you do not have HSV2. The only symptoms "similar" to herpes are blisters/sores; not itching, irritation, etc
Nov 21, 2021
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A 48-year-old female asked:
I recently got a Herpes QN Real time PCR test through Quest Diagnostics in my town. (blood draw) the results came back <100 for both hsv1 & hsv2. Wh?
Dr. Brad Douglasanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 26 years experience
Need a culture: HSV blood tests are not ways to test for CURRENT infections
Need cultures of an active infection
Please contact for a consult to discuss more
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
742 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 29, 2016
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