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Avatar_m_tn Confusing Lab Results
Hello Doctor,
I wanted to write to you in regard to some very confusing Lab results I took about a month ago.
About a month ago I had sex with a girl friend of mine and used protection during our time of inter course. However there was a brief moment that I did not have a condom on, but it was very brief. I always use a condom, but this brief moment kind of startled me and I had intentions of getting blood done for a check up so it worked out for me to go get one after this experience.
When I got my results back, one thing was a little concerning to me. My HSV, IgM I/II Combination came back 1.14 High, but my IgG results came back <0.91, negative . I got tested for everything else, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoae, HIV and thank G-d those all came back negative. My doctor told me I had nothing to worry about due to the inconsistencies of the IgM combination test results, but it was still concerning to me. I have had no signs of any kind of Herpes on my body, as I check regularly. I have no pain when I urinate or ejaculate. I am relatively healthy ( knock on wood). My doctor suggested I wait about 6 weeks and go get a more specific Herpes test just to be sure. He sounded confident that it was nothing to worry about, but I like having a second opinion and am thinking of going back to get the HSV specific tests done. What are your thoughts on my situation?
I wanted to write to you in regard to some very confusing Lab results I took about a month ago.
About a month ago I had sex with a girl friend of mine and used protection during our time of inter course. However there was a brief moment that I did not have a condom on, but it was very brief. I always use a condom, but this brief moment kind of startled me and I had intentions of getting blood done for a check up so it worked out for me to go get one after this experience.
When I got my results back, one thing was a little concerning to me. My HSV, IgM I/II Combination came back 1.14 High, but my IgG results came back <0.91, negative . I got tested for everything else, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoae, HIV and thank G-d those all came back negative. My doctor told me I had nothing to worry about due to the inconsistencies of the IgM combination test results, but it was still concerning to me. I have had no signs of any kind of Herpes on my body, as I check regularly. I have no pain when I urinate or ejaculate. I am relatively healthy ( knock on wood). My doctor suggested I wait about 6 weeks and go get a more specific Herpes test just to be sure. He sounded confident that it was nothing to worry about, but I like having a second opinion and am thinking of going back to get the HSV specific tests done. What are your thoughts on my situation?
This isn't the doctors forum. You need to pay to post there.
The overall risk from this encounter was a low risk. Condoms only reduce the transmission by about 30% for herpes. The fact is a single one time encounter is low risk for herpes.
If you choose to retest you can do so accurately at 12 weeks from the last time you had sexual contact with someone. Only get the type specific igg test. Do not get an IgM test as they are worthless.
The overall risk from this encounter was a low risk. Condoms only reduce the transmission by about 30% for herpes. The fact is a single one time encounter is low risk for herpes.
If you choose to retest you can do so accurately at 12 weeks from the last time you had sexual contact with someone. Only get the type specific igg test. Do not get an IgM test as they are worthless.
this is not the doctor's forum - you have to pay to post there.
the herpes igm test is a greatly flawed test and should've never been used on you. Current cdc recommendations are that it not be used on adults for the purpose of diagnosing herpes due to the high false positive issues with it. A + igm result is absolutely meaningless.
Herpes igg blood testing needs done 3-4 months after the last time you had sex if you want to properly cover your bases. The risk from a one time mostly protected encounter is low overall. Should you decide to repeat your testing, make sure it's the type specific herpes igg blood testing you get done. encourage your provider to update their herpes testing knowledge by reading the 2010 cdc herpes guidelines also so that they can better serve their patients as well as avoid malpractice suits!
grace
the herpes igm test is a greatly flawed test and should've never been used on you. Current cdc recommendations are that it not be used on adults for the purpose of diagnosing herpes due to the high false positive issues with it. A + igm result is absolutely meaningless.
Herpes igg blood testing needs done 3-4 months after the last time you had sex if you want to properly cover your bases. The risk from a one time mostly protected encounter is low overall. Should you decide to repeat your testing, make sure it's the type specific herpes igg blood testing you get done. encourage your provider to update their herpes testing knowledge by reading the 2010 cdc herpes guidelines also so that they can better serve their patients as well as avoid malpractice suits!
grace
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
