What Does It Mean When a Herpes Test Says Equivocal?

An equivocal herpes test result means the findings are unclear and fall between positive and negative thresholds. This occurs in approximately 5-10% of herpes blood tests, typically when antibody levels are borderline or when there's cross-reactivity with related viruses. The test detected some antibodies but not enough to definitively confirm infection. Equivocal results often happen during early infection when antibody levels are still developing, or in people with weakened immune systems. Your doctor will likely recommend retesting in 2-4 weeks or using a different test method like PCR testing for more definitive results.