Interpreting Results
TeleTest allows you to view your results directly from our public laboratories and Ontario Public Health. Our physicians are available to talk with you about any questions regarding your results. The following page outlines some commonly used terms in your report with respect to STI testing, and what each term means. Our physicians will contact you directly if you are positive for Syphilis, HIV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, or Trichomonas.
Common terms on your results page
“Not Detected / Non Detected” = no evidence of current infection
“PND” = Pending Lab Result, our labs take a few days to process results
“Detected” = presence of an infection
“Non-Reactive” = you haven’t had a detectable infection - this means you have a negative test result. It's important to note that testing after the closure of the window period for your test is important for reliable, accurate results.
“Reactive” = you have been exposed to the virus
I saw this when I viewed my results on the TeleTest Portal. What does this mean?
The image below means we have partial results from the lab and are awaiting public health to release bloodwork. You will be notified when the full results are released with a new email and this information will be replaced with public health blood results. The N does not mean normal or abnormal - it's just a placeholder public health uses.
(A) I tested 'reactive' for HSV 1 or HSV 2. Does this mean I have genital herpes or cold sores?
HSV 1 or HSV 2 antibodies are produced when you are exposed to the herpes virus. This can occur through sexual and non-sexual contact. HSV virus can be acquired through non-sexual contact - sharing a drink with someone (even a relative) with an active or recent cold sore. Most people don't know that cold sores are actually caused by the herpes virus, and are quite common. You can also contract HSV through kissing. Over 90% of the world is positive for one or both viruses. (Reference 1)
HSV can also be transmitted through sexual contact. Performing or receiving oral/anal/vaginal intercourse can result in exposure to the Herpes Virus. If you’ve experienced blisters in the genital region, you have likely had a herpes outbreak. Most infections are common and often do not have symptoms.
If you are experiencing an outbreak, a physician at a local walk-in clinic or urgent care center can swab the area and give you a definite answer if it is a herpes outbreak, and the strain (HSV 1 or HSV 2).
(B) What’s the difference between HSV 1 and HSV 2?
Both HSV 1 and 2 are nearly identical viruses - HSV 1 can cause cold sores but also genital herpes. HSV 2 can cause cold sores but also genital outbreaks. Scientists make the distinction between HSV 1 and HSV 2 based on the frequency we find each virus in the oral and genital regions. HSV 1 is more likely to be found in the oral region and HSV 2 is more likely to be found in the genital region. This does not mean if you test positive for HSV 2 that you have had genital exposure, as the exposure may have been oral (cold sore). This is why doctors rely on whether you’ve had symptoms of an outbreak in the past to determine why you’re positive.
(C) I tested positive for herpes, but I don’t recall ever having genital sores or cold sores.
Having a positive test means you were exposed to the virus at some point in your life. Many people never have symptoms and never experience an outbreak. In general, you are more likely to transmit the herpes virus to a partner if you have an active outbreak or are experiencing prodromal symptoms (i.e. burning, tingling, or pain before an eruption is about to occur). Asymptomatic transmission (having neither prodromal symptoms nor an outbreak) can occur, but the risk can be reduced by avoiding intercourse around the time of a recent outbreak.
(D) I have had cold sores, but I have never had a genital outbreak. Can I still get genital herpes?
Yes. Contracting genital herpes requires exposure to the virus through bodily fluids. If someone has cold sores and performs oral sex on you, and you don't have the virus, or they have a different strain, they can transmit the virus to you in the genital area even though you have antibodies to the virus. As such, we advise against sexual contact of any nature (oral or genital) if there are any ongoing outbreaks in any partner.
(E) Can herpes can be cured?
The herpes virus cannot be cured, but we have very effective antiviral medication to treat an outbreak or prevent transmission. Some people never experience an outbreak in their lifetime, and others may only experience an outbreak once every few years. Others may have an outbreak more frequently. If you would like a prescription of Valacyclovir, a commonly used oral antiviral medication to treat cold sores or genital herpes, please email us at [email protected] and our physicians will be in contact with you to send in a prescription to a local pharmacy of your preference.
Cold sores are treated with Valacyclovir tablets for a single day; genital outbreaks are treated for a total of three days. For some individuals with multiple outbreaks a year, they can be on once-daily dosing suppressive therapy that prevents outbreaks.
(F) I tested positive for HSV 1 or HSV 2. Should I start medication now?
Medication for the herpes virus is only suggested if you are experiencing an oral outbreak or a genital outbreak. For oral outbreaks, we typically prescribe 4 pills of valacyclovir in the morning and evening for one day when a cold sore is about to erupt or has erupted. For a genital outbreak, we give you a tablet twice daily for three days. These medications do not 'cure' herpes but treat an active flare. If you have no flares (i.e. no cold sores or genital outbreaks) and only a positive result, we don't routinely recommend suppressive (daily Valacyclovir). If you tested positive and have more questions, email us at [email protected] and we will be in touch.
(G) Could my result be an error?
Our Ontario public health laboratories use the Liaison HSV 1 and Liaison HSV Type 2 Specific IgG Assay - it has a sensitivity of 96.9-98.9% (misses 1.1-3.1% of infections) and a specificity of 91.3%-96.8% (false positive rate of 3.2% - 9.7%). The test result can be negative early in the course of an infection, which is why we encourage repeat testing if you are symptomatic at the 3-month point. There is a chance of a false positive result, which is why we encourage you to get checked for the HSV antibody only if you have had cold sores or a suspected genital outbreak in the past. If you have had a swab positive for HSV in the past, and a negative antibody result you likely have the herpes virus and the blood test represents a false negative result. We recommend seeking out the opinion of our physicians if you would like further clarity before being intimate with a partner.
(F) My Herpes test says 'indeterminate'. What does this mean?
If you have an indeterminate Herpes Antibody Test and have had symptoms of cold sores or a genital outbreak recently, it may represent an 'early' antibody response that will become positive with a repeat test in 12 weeks. A repeat test is encouraged for certainty if you have had symptoms. If you have not had any outbreaks in the past, or any known exposures it can also represent a false positive and we don't recommend a repeat test at this time.
Physicians from TeleTest will reach out to you if you have abnormal results following non-STI testing. If you have normal results and would like to chat with a doctor, please use the booking link in the patient portal to schedule a time to talk with a doctor. Once initiated, the chat will remain open for 48 hours.
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Last modified 8d ago