HSV 1 and 2

[rideordie]

What does it mean to have  Positive HSV 1 and 2 with a Negative IGM? I was told that it means that the infection is old and not recently contracted? this is very confusing and I would like to have a better understanding of this!!!!

[gracefromHHP]

have you had any genital symptoms or was this just a routine screening?

there are false positive issues with the herpes blood testing. If you have never had any genital symptoms, best to confirm your status with additional testing like a herpes western blot.

[rideordie]

Thats just it my blood test did not have a numeric result. The only thing that stated was HSV 1 Positive HSV 2 Positve and HSV1 and 2 IGM Negative!!! I don't know....this is so confusing and not really knowing is very bothersome> Should I retest? What?

[gracefromHHP]

in theory the igm would reflect a recently contracted infection with herpes but unfortunately the herpes igm testing we currently have is fairly flawed and we don't recommend its use.  

I can look at your herpes igg blood test results if you post them here to see if you were properly tested and to see if you need additional confirmatory testing done. Just post the numeric results - e.g.  hsv1 igg 2.9 and hsv2 igg 1.2 or whatever they are.

grace