Confusing Lab Results

My wife recently visited her OB/GYN and and had asked for all STD testing to be done due to some infidelity in the marriage.  Neither her nor I or the affair partner have experienced any symptoms.  Her results came back and the nursing staff in the clinic informed her that she was positive for HSV.  They were unable to provide information on which type stating that "for some reason" they hadn't tested for that.  The values they gave were 1.19 igm and 0.16 igg.  These results were taken from a blood test of some sort.  From what I have been reading on some of the boards it seems that this test is unreliable.  Is that so?  What do these values mean?  Why in the world would these people tell us she has herpes if that's not the case?  Since these values are so low does that indicate a possible false positive?  Or does it just mean that her exposure was too recent to tell?  Oh, and fyi....she did go back in and have a second test done to differentiate between HSV-1 and HSV-2, but I think it is another blood test.

[gracefromHHP]

If they said they couldn't tell her the type then that means that she wasn't tested properly.  She should've received 2 igg values - a hsv1 igg and a hsv2 igg.  the igm test should never be done.

unfortunately many providers are still not up to date on herpes blood testing :(

If you need help with her 2nd blood test results, post them here in this thread when you get them and we can help you.

grace

[hopefulmick]

I will definitely post that information here when we find out.  What does that say about the test though?  Why shouldn't the igm ever be done?  Is the combined test comprised of combined values for HSV-1 and HSV-2?  

[auntiejessi]

The IgM is too unreliable to even be counted.  It gives too many false positives and false negatives.  

The combination tests tell you if you have hsv1, or hsv2, or both.  However, they don't tell you which type.  That's not very helpful as about 60% of the population has hsv1 orally, whether they get cold sores or not.

If all she had was a positive IgM, you don't have enough for a diagnosis yet.  I don't know who did the cheating, but if it was 4 months since that time, and both of you have negative IgGs, then you are fine.

Aj

[hopefulmick]

It's been over 6 months since the affair.  The two of us have had sexual contact with a third party approximately 5 weeks ago.  Since the values of the labs were so low, is it more likely a recent transmission or could it still be from 6 months ago?

[auntiejessi]

I think you missed my point.  

The only thing she had that was positive was the IgM, and that can't be used for a diagnosis by itself.  It shouldn't have been drawn on an adult anyway.

You both should test again with the IgG in a few months to cover the most recent encounter with another person.

At this point, she is negative for herpes.  Disregard the IgM - act like she never had it done in the first place.

Aj

[hopefulmick]

I got your point.  Thanks.  That's a relief for now.  I'll be back with the results from the next blood test.  You guys are awesome!  I know there must be tons of people out there with anxious feelings and mis-education that you guys assist them with.  Kudos to you!

[gracefromHHP]

Make sure the next time you are both tested you only get the igg and make sure it's a type specific igg blood test so that it's not a waste of time again.

grace