Doctor Vs. MedHelp: Contradictions?

I am confused...I was recently tested for HSV using a non-type specific test. The test results call this test "HSV IgM Antibody W/REFL Titer". My results stated "detected", which according to two seperate doctors, means I am in fact infected with herpes 1 or 2. Everything I have read on this site says that the IgM test is useless. This makes sense to me based on what I have read regarding what this antibody does in the body. When I mentioned it to the doctor, he assuered me that this test is reliable because it is testing for the IgM antibody specific to herpes 1 and 2. I didn't know that was possible. I thought IgM was essentially a "generic" antibody to fight any infection occuring in the body. He said that type specific tests are not used anymore because HSV 1 and 2 have become interchanged between oral and genital and it makes no difference what type it is.

I have had no symptoms and neither has my partner. I disagree with what the doctor's have said regarding the diagnosis based on this type of test. What troubles me is that everything the doctor's have said about this test directly contradicts what is being said on this site pertaining to this test. Who is right here? Is there such a thing as a herpes distinct IgM antibody? If my doctor is wrong, how can they be so misinformed about this?

Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

Your regular doctor is misinformed about the herpes igm test.  

I am not at home right now to access my info but please private message me with a link to this thread and remind me that there's an article I wanted to post to it for you to give to your doctor for further reading. thanks!   If you don't know how to pm, just be sure to keep bumping this post up to the top to remind me :)

grace

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[gracefromHHP]

“common use of inaccurate antibody assays to identify infection status with herpes simplex virus type 2”  Rhoda Ashley morrow, Zane Brown  American journal of obstetrics and gynecology ( 2005), 193, p.361-362  http://www.ajog.org/article/PIIS000293780500102X/abstract


Your doctor needs to access the full article and pay careful attention to the info about igm tests on page 2. The test is such an unuseful test that some of the major labs in the US are no longer even offering it for adults for testing for herpes.

grace