IGM testing accuracy during Window Period

[whydididothat]

Hi all,

I have tested negatvie to hsv 1 and 2 (IgG) a month before the following episode.

I kissed a CSW couple of times, it was like a peck on the lips (no fluid exchange) followed by protected oral and vaginal sex. After a week, i saw few red dots and an ulcer in my mouth. I dont know how long the ulcer was there before. I have taken Valcyclovir for 5 days, the ulcer healed in 5 days and the red dots disppeared in 4 days.

Please clarify these questions:

I have tested for IgM 4 times since the symptoms came up.
1. 10th day from possible exposure (next day after seeing the symptoms) = negative
2. 15 th day from possible exposure (7 days after the symptoms appeared) = negative
3. 19th day from possible exposure (11 days after the symptoms appeared) = negative
4. 21 days from possible exposure (14 days after the symptoms appeared) = negative

Is IgM reliable to test during the window period (i have taken 4 IgM blood tests in 14 days)?

1. I am aware of the disadvantages of HSV 1 & 2 - IgM test, all i want to know is whether i am infected or not?
2. I did not see anything on her lips, i gave 3-4 times peck on the lips, how risky is this act?
3. What do you think about the symptoms that healed in less than a weeks time, does it sound herpetic?

Thanks

[whydididothat]

Thanks. I have to wait for sometime as i have no choice left.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

[TiredOfGirlyProblems]

From what I have read herpes likes to be in or around the outside of the lips, and doesn't like the soft tissue inside of the mouth, altho I guess it could be possible I really dont think that you have herpes in your mouth. It could have been tiny blood blisters.
Yeah stop testing! Next time you get a sore just have a swab test.
Also I heard that sometimes a soar throat is associated, flu like symptoms, if you don't have anything like that then you should be fine.
I know what it feels like to be paranoid, but taking multiple blood tests with negative results is a waste of money!
Besides you kissed the girl with your lips, my thought is that if you had gotten herpes from her then it would have been on your lips, where it likes to be.

[whydididothat]

Thanks Grace :(

3 months is a long time, too difficult to hold the breathe..

No more questions from me.

You are doing a remarkable service for all of us. Thanks again.

[gracefromHHP]

you can't rely on the igm's at all dear which is why we don't recommend its use.  NO MORE IGM TESTING - EVER!!!

really, not everything is herpes.

[whydididothat]

Dear Grace,

Hearty thanks for your expert opinion.

Risk involved: i kissed couple of times - casual Lip kiss for few seconds (dry lips and i didnt see anything wrong on her lips, without fluid exchange).

1. What about the red dots (when i touched the dots with my tongue it felt like cuts) that appeared nearby the ulcer. It didnt progress further but healed just like that. Dont you think its a herpetic symptom?

2. Since i dont have a HSV history, how much i can rely on IgM tests. After suspected primary infection, how long antibodies stay in the body for IgM to test positive?

I have tested negative for IgM upto 10 days after the suspected primary infection. Shall i try for 2 more weeks.

Thanks a lot.

[gracefromHHP]

almost everything will heal in 5 days. probably was a coincidence that it healed and you were taking valtrex.

nothing you've mentioned sounds like oral herpes. I agree it's more likely canker sores than anything.

stop testing like this. you are wasting your money needlessly. even ifyou had gotten a + igm at any point, it would've been meaningless due to the high false positive issues.

grace

[TiredOfGirlyProblems]

I use to get canker sores all the time, mine where yellow ulcers, what color was it? It sounds like a canker sore, nothing to be afraid of! They are not contagious but can be very painful! Now if you see any blisters or bumps actually on the lip, or around the out side of the lip then you shld get tested. But if it's near the gums then your fine!

[whydididothat]

It was an ulcer when i first noticed. I didnt know it was there until i had a spicy food. When i first noticed there was an ulcer and 4 red dots nearby, these symptoms were in between the gums and inner line of lower lip.

Note: I was tested negative for both HSV 1 & 2 after the day i saw the symptoms. So the point is if its something i feared then its new infection.

[TiredOfGirlyProblems]

If you got it inside your mouth then it's a canker sore, that's not herpes! If it's on your lips then it sounds like a cold sore (hsv-1) and usually from what I have heard is that you will have a blister first. Did you have a blister before the ulcer?

[whydididothat]

I was HSV 1 & 2 - IgG negative, since the Suspected primary infection, all 4 IgM test results came back Negative.

Symptoms what I had was an ulcer and 4 pinpoint red dots nearby. I took Valcyclovir and ulcer healed and the red dots (it looked like a papercut), disappeared in 5 days.

1. I am so confused, i didnt see any sore or damage or any coldsore sign on her lips when kissing.
2. It was only couple of peck on the lips without fluid exchange.

How risky i got in to. I neither have money or blood to go for another testing. I am not thinking/worrying other than these things.
Please help. THANKS A LOT.

[whydididothat]

Thanks Petal.

I was tested negative before this encounter.

So obviously, if i were not infected i should not be tested positive.

I have done IgM test 4 times in the last 10 days since the primary infection, all came back Negative.

1. How much are these negative tests result reliable?
2. In my understanding, IgM will test positive either in primary or recurrence infections.

So shall i go for few more tests in the next 2 weeks. It will ease my mind till the 3 month mark to go for IgG.

Please help.