Do I have herpes? Opinions please!

Hello.  About 3 weeks ago I went to the doctor's office and had an annual checkup, expecting everything to be fine.  After blood work, the IgM test came back positive, but when the Igg test was run, both types came back negative (I don't know the number unfortunately).  The lab technician said that this either was a false positive or meant that I have been recently exposed and the igg test cannot pick it up yet.  This is possible as I have been sexually involved with a new partner within the last 8 weeks.

Since then I have had my period, during which I occasionally had mild tingling (but to be honest this could have been all in my head...not sure).  After that I didn't have any symptoms. But after sexual activity last night (with clothes on...so no intercourse), my urethra is raw and burns while urinating.  I have never had any sores.

Do you think this is because of the rubbing last night?  Or is this pre-symptomatic of sores breaking out?  

I will be retested for igm, and if it's positive, for igg in about 6 weeks.  Until then, however, I very well might go crazy.  

Any opinions would be very appreciated.  

Thank you.

[Mistakeguy789]

IgM is worthless don't retest with it at all.  It cross reacts to many different things.  If you go through my journal their is a post on IgM testing.

Have your partner get tested to know what he has.  Your more then likely experincing a "rug burn".

[slightlyfreakingout79]

He said he would prefer to wait until after I had been retested to get tested, which is fine, but means that I will probably go crazy wondering if I have it until then.  I have heard that IgM is a poor test, but I've also heard that it can pick up on the virus much earlier than IgG so there is a chance that he has it and I just recently got it.  And I can't imagine myself having any of the things that IgM cross-reacts with...but I sincerely hope it's only a "rug burn" lol.  

Thanks for your input!

[Mistakeguy789]

Guess it is true what they say " You can find an expert who will say what you want."

The doctor who said this is mis-informed.  It is actually funny that you brought it up. Tonight I was out with a few friends and while we were drinking a cold one (well they drank I couldn't because I like being the DD) one of our friends friend is actually a doctor and my friend is a PA.  We got to talking about Herpes after one of my friends shared his mixed drink with another and the Dr. said "I hope you don't have herpes."  to which my comment was "wouldn't matter much since most of transmissions as an adult are from kissing not drink sharing.  The alochol content would be enough to kill the virus anyway and the tempature as well of the class with ice would kill it too."  We happened to discuss testing.  (work with me here.)  

Now the Dr is a cool guy and one of those who feels he is always learning.  Just because he is an MD he never once has rubbed it into anyones face unless he is 100% sure on things.  So he and I started talking about IgM and IgG blood tests.  

I happened to show him the following post (which is what is in my journal).

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Confusiion-over-other-IgM-Herpes-posts/show/248394

Now this explains the testing and why IgM isn't going to the best for HSV earlier than other tests or that if it does only usually seen in children.  I would enjoy for you to read Dr. Hansfield response.  The Dr. Friend of a friend was rather interested and even reviewed Dr. Hansfields credintials.  

The long and skinney is there is no reason for him to not test.  Would be really easy to settle a few things and that is the IgG testing will only be good after 3 months of your last sexual encounter.  My advice is have him get an IgG test and not the IgM.  

[gracefromHHP]

your partner should be tested now to know his status. waiting is of no use. discuss together what std testing you've both had in general and then see what bases still need covered. might as well do it all now so that in the future, you know if you have to worry about std's or not with this partner. odds are neither of you had ever been tested for herpes before - it's not a part of routine std testing in most clinics.  Knowing your status is only half the story - you need a complete picture of each others status in order to make educated decisions.

the current cdc herpes testing guidelines specifically say not to test for herpes using the igm blood test. it's greatly flawed and is a waste of time and money as well as causes far too much needless worrying.  your provider should update their testing info by reading the 2010 testing guidelines.  

have you and your partner both had your gardasil shots too?

grace

[slightlyfreakingout79]

Thank you both for your comments!  The post you sent, mistakeguy, was helpful...thanks.  

I had the 1st gardasil shot over a year ago and have not had one since, so I need to restart the sequence.  He has not had it either.  Does it help prevent against herpes as well?  I tested negative for everything else (chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc).    

But is there really a "3 month window" that you have to hit with IgG?  So if he tests positive tomorrow, does that mean I gave it to him and not the other way around?  He has not been with anyone other than me in the last 3 months.  Also, if he tests negative does that then not exclude him from having it?  Because he would have gotten it more than 3 months ago.  

I have never had any other symptoms that I can tell (unless they were really mild and I just missed them)

Thanks!

[gracefromHHP]

gardasil protects against 4 types of hpv. covering your bases for all std's is in both of your  best interests!!  

yes there is a waiting period for herpes testing. we wouldn't recommend what we do if there wasn't.