Thank you very much for all of your help and advice.
Yes, please, move on and don't test further.
Terri
Hi Terri,
I received my results of the IgM and IgG yesterday. Both were negative. Tests were taken 17 weeks after last possible exposure. Can I stop my worrying and move on from this? Do I need further testing?
Thank you,
If you are completely negative, a non-type specific test is OK. If it is positive and not type specific, you cannot know if it is positive due to HSV 1 or HSV 2 infection. The IgM is not useful and is not interprettable with any accuracy.
When you get results, let me know and perhaps I can help you sort them out.
Terri
Hi Terri,
I just had my IgG and IgM tests completed, as part of an entire STI workup.. I will need to wait for a couple of weeks for the results .It has been difficult to arrange in this part of the world...My concern is the type of test I believe is available here. I could not get confirmation that it is type specific. I also had an IgM test completed, which I stated was an out-of-date test.... I have read your responses to others but I can't seem to find information on how to interpret IgG non-specific tests and IgM tests, if you feel I should have bothered in the first place. I am sure you have answered this question before, but any information you have would be helpful.
Thank you
Thank you for your advice.
I suppose the microtears could be HSV 2. If you want to know, you could have a PCR test done from this area.
There is not test aside from a swab test that would tell you if you are infected in a particular location on your body. An antibody test will only tell you if you are infected or not.
Terri
Hi Terri,
I am looking for a bit more advice. I am still experiencing that sore/red area on my penis - I am unsure but I think I might have microtears in the skin. The soreness has not changed - usually the sorness becomes more pronounced through the day (I sit quite a bit at my desk), then seems to become less pronounced at night. This tends to be more pronunced when I am physically active, which is three to four times per week.
I have had the sore groin checked by my physician and he ruled out swollen lymph nodes, and maintains that in the absence of lesions, there is little he can do.
I have arranged a blood test for the middle of February.
I have a few questions.
Could these microtears be a symptom of HSV2? I know I as I get closer to the date of the blood test my anxiety has increased...and I admit to becoming a bit hyper-vigilant. Lately every itch and/or bump in my groin region has been attributed to HSV2.
As I am concerned about the knowledge base regarding HSV2 in my local medical community, what blood test should I be asking for? Is there a test available for HSV2 orally?
I realise there is little I can do until my blood test, and I have to be patient. I appreciate your understaning.
Thank you
Thank you for your advice. I will wait and see what happens over the next month and have the test mid February unless my worry gets the better of me.
As you know now, herpes can be transmitted when there are no symptoms and there are definitely tests for herpes antibody.
Something that would go on for months without changing much is likely not caused by herpes. Herpes is an intermittently presenting infection. If this was herpes, I would expect things to be evolving, changing.
You should be able to get an antibody test in mid February that will be accurate. If you want to test sooner than that, you certainly can. By six weeks from new infection, 70% of people will have made antibody. If you are negative now, the chance that you will stay negative if good! Sometimes, that helps people as they wait out the time.
As for your physician's knowledge: yes, patients can take care of themselves, but I still think they should know more about herpes than to make the statements they made. We rely on our health care providers for accurate information. If they had said "I don't know the answer to that", I consider that a lot better answer than the one you got.
terri