A member asked:

Had cultlure of lip-pos hsv1, and blood done-pos for hsv 1 neg hsv2/repeated blood test 3 months later results reversed neg 1 postive 2. doctor puzzled?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. John Leander Po answered

Specializes in Infectious Disease

Details needed: The type of test is important here - figure out if testing was broken down to "igm" or "igg", and the exact timing of when the tests were done - that will help interpreting what 's going on. Why? Igm goes up in early infection , then drops when igg levels start to go up later after. Infection.

Answered 10/23/2012

5.5k views

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Dr. Scott Bobbitt answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Possible lab error?: Always a possibitlity. Repeat test if needed. That said, does it really matter? Talk to your doctor about the treatment regimen available for each strain (same: anti-viral meds). It used to be hsv-1 was oral; hsv-2 genital. With increased oral sexual activity, the portal of infection becomes irrelevant. Cold sores (oral or genital) are recurrent infections and highly contagious.

Answered 10/4/2016

5.3k views

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