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IgM result
I had an unprotected heterosexual encounter on May 11th of this year, then a protected vaginal encounter on May 23 (not protected orally), and a vaginally protected but orally unprotected encounter on June 18. These were 3 different girls. On June 27, I noticed burning in my urination (I was out of the country) and went to a local doctor. He diagnosed me with a urinary tract infection, and gave me antibiotics for it. I had some itching and post-toilet burning in the rectal area. The burning during urination went away, as did the burning feeling in my skin around the genitals.
On July 16, I had an std screen. All negative. HSV Type I and Type 2 IgG's came up negative. But the IgM registered a .94 equivocal. I took a second test for IgG and IgM on August 12, and the results were IgG negative for HSV 1 and 2, but this time the IgM went up to 1.2. Thedoctor told me to consider myself diagnosed for herpes, and that he assumed it was type 2, based on having sex with various women.
I realize that there is some controversy surrounding IgM testing, and that some medical professionals advise to ignore it out of hand. I just can't do that so easily. I have never had cold sores either. So I don't think it's a cross reaction. But I did have chicken pox as a kid. I realize that 3 months has passed since the May 11 encounter on the day of my last test (August 12), but that the the June 18 encounter isn't quite 8 weeks. I wonder about my seroconversion rate too. HHH says that most people seroconvert much faster than 3 months. The only thing I can do is wait a few more months and re-take IgG's. I've had no outbreaks or lesions, but my lower back hurts and my glands in the groin area are tender.I want to know two things from you, please:
1. What do you make of these results?
2. How does one explain the movement from .94 to 1.2 in the IgM? One would think the IgM would have spiked early and moved downward.
Perhaps you can give me some hope....
On July 16, I had an std screen. All negative. HSV Type I and Type 2 IgG's came up negative. But the IgM registered a .94 equivocal. I took a second test for IgG and IgM on August 12, and the results were IgG negative for HSV 1 and 2, but this time the IgM went up to 1.2. Thedoctor told me to consider myself diagnosed for herpes, and that he assumed it was type 2, based on having sex with various women.
I realize that there is some controversy surrounding IgM testing, and that some medical professionals advise to ignore it out of hand. I just can't do that so easily. I have never had cold sores either. So I don't think it's a cross reaction. But I did have chicken pox as a kid. I realize that 3 months has passed since the May 11 encounter on the day of my last test (August 12), but that the the June 18 encounter isn't quite 8 weeks. I wonder about my seroconversion rate too. HHH says that most people seroconvert much faster than 3 months. The only thing I can do is wait a few more months and re-take IgG's. I've had no outbreaks or lesions, but my lower back hurts and my glands in the groin area are tender.I want to know two things from you, please:
1. What do you make of these results?
2. How does one explain the movement from .94 to 1.2 in the IgM? One would think the IgM would have spiked early and moved downward.
Perhaps you can give me some hope....
Life360,
You were right about the IgM being a fairly worthless test. I tested IgG negative for HSV 1 and 2 at 14 weeks after the questionable sexual encounter. The previous IgM's look pretty inaccurate now.
You were right about the IgM being a fairly worthless test. I tested IgG negative for HSV 1 and 2 at 14 weeks after the questionable sexual encounter. The previous IgM's look pretty inaccurate now.
Life, what do you make of the fact that I have back pain and pressure in my lower abdomen with tender inguinal glands?
I have a lot of pain between my belly button and genitals. Plus my lower back hurts. This leads me to believe the igm isn't wrong in my case.
Thanks, Life. The problem is that not enough time has passed since the June 18 encounter. Only 7 weeks. That is what has me worried. Plus there are two IgM positives.
Hi.
1. if you tested negative twice then your negative and the igm is of no value as is considered flawed thats why they now use the igg type specific.
2. They dont explain the movement of the igm as is flawed.
1. if you tested negative twice then your negative and the igm is of no value as is considered flawed thats why they now use the igg type specific.
2. They dont explain the movement of the igm as is flawed.
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
