HSV Ig M Antibody

Dear Doctor

2 Questions

Would you tell me how long it takes to develop antibody for HSV type 1 and 2? (IgM/IgG each?)

Would you explain why they normally do not perform IgM antibody for HSV serology?

Thank you.

[gracefromHHP]

This isn't the doctor's forum - you have to pay to post there.

Some folks will test + for a newly acquired herpes infection in as little as 2-3 weeks after being infected.  It can take up to 6 months though for some folks. The average is 2-4 months which is why we recommend testing around the 4 month mark.

The herpes igm test is not an accurate test and most of the igm tests for herpes out there aren't type specific anyways.  We never recommend having it done as an adult.

grace