Can herpes simplex 2 be misdiagnosed?

False positive HSV-2 results can happen, especially in people who are at low risk for a herpes infection. Also, we do not know if people who test positive for herpes will change their sexual behavior as a result of a positive test.

What does a positive HSV-1 or HSV-2 IGG result mean?

A positive result means that the patient has an HSV infection. The patient may be experiencing an initial outbreak or a recurrent outbreak from a past infection. Test results may also include the type of HSV identified in the sample.

Is herpes Type 1 Normal?

Overview. Herpes infections are very common. Fifty to 80 percent of American adults have oral herpes (HSV-1), which causes cold sores or fever blisters in or around the mouth. Genital herpes, caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2, affects one out of every six people in the U.S. age 14 to 49.

What virus can be mistaken for herpes?

Gonorrhea is another common STD that has some symptoms similar to genital herpes. Herpes and gonorrhea can both cause sores in the genital area, skin rash, and burning pain when urinating.

Can herpes antibodies be mistaken for something else?

Herpes tests aren’t the only ones with a risk of false positive results. False positives can occur for any test that diagnoses viral infection based on antibodies, i.e., your body’s immune reaction, rather than direct detection of the virus.

How long does HSV IgM stay positive?

The time required for the development of IgG antibodies following HSV infection varies from 21 to over 42 days with most individuals having detectable IgG 21–28 days after exposure to the infection and probably lasting for life.7–,9 IgM antibodies are usually detectable 9–10 days after exposure and last 7–14 days.

Can the doctor misdiagnosed herpes?

Turns out herpes is misdiagnosed 20% of the time, with professionals mistaking everything from fungal and yeast infections to other skin conditions for the STD. The tests themselves are also inaccurate; failing to detect up to 25% of “true positive” cases.