Herpes IgM test equivical...Very Nervous, Can't Sleep

Hi,
  I recently had unprotected sex with someone about a month ago.  I recently met this other girl who I have really fallen for.  I decided to get an STD check for when we decide to have sex.  I tested negative for everything but the Herpes IgM test came back at 0.96.  My doctor told me that I need to come back in a month to make sure that I don't have HSV-2 and said my chances of having it are about 50/50.  I am thinking about this constantly and I am taking things to sleep and I don't know how I am going to make it an entire month to wait for these results.  I have heard the IgM tests are inaccurate but I am really looking for some kind of comfort to ease my mind.  My questions are...

1) What are my chances of having HSV-2 with an IgM score of 0.96?

2) How inaccurate is the IgM test?

Sincerely,
Very Worried User

[Jon33]

Hello there, anxiety in these situations is completely normal. But from what I've read on this forum. The IGM tests are completely, useless. Forget about them. Hopefully this will limit your worry a little bit. It is still impossible, however, to know your true HSV status without a swab (which you cant do without overt symptoms) or an IGG test after the proper amount of time has elapsed. Search the forums for more information about IGG testing, and I'm positive you'll stumble of many other posts explaining that IGM tests are worthless.

[gracefromHHP]

Your testing was done too early. You need to repeat your herpes igg blood test 3 or 4  months after the last time you had sex.  also you will need to repeat your syphilis and hiv testing at that time too.

grace

[cbr3823]

I appreciate the responses but can anyone give me any insight to my questions?  I have not had or never had any symptoms for HSV-1 or HSV-2 and I did not see any outbreaks on the person I was with a month ago.  

I just want to know if this IGM test showing equivocal results means anything.  I am assuming that it means I was exposed and the antibodies are starting to build...am I wrong?  

[Jon33]

The Igm test could mean anything. It is wrong as often as it is right. It could have something to do with a prior HSV1 infection. I don't want to speak for anyone else, but I would not jump to conclusions. Follow Grace's instructions!

[gracefromHHP]

the igm test for herpes is a flawed test that should've never been used in the first place.  Also equivocal is meaningless - it's actually negative.  If anything, getting a baseline igg herpes test would've been most helpful to know what your status was prior to this encounter.  Nothing else you can do at this point though except for wait and repeat all your testing as I previously recommended.  

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/248394  is a prior post that goes into more details about the inaccuracies of the herpes igm test and why it should never be used for the purpose of diagnosing herpes.  Your provider really needs to update their info on herpes testing. They can seek out accurate material thru www.ashastd.org . they sell the herpes blood testing toolkit for providers for under $3.

grace