Need Help in Interpreting Test Results

[garcia420]

Hello, I need help with interpreting my first time Herpes tests..Here are the index values. Much appreciated.

HSV I/II IgG      33.4 index            

HSV I IgG, Type Spec  3.84 index  

HSV 2 IgG Type Spec <0.91        

HSV IgM I/II Combination <0.91    


Reference Intervals   Negative  1.0

[feelingundone]

Please start a new thread with your questions. Include what tests you took and what country you are in. Thank you

[kami2000]

I had a herpies tests and the results HSV Ab, igg type spec. 20.20 value
and HSV 2 Ab, IgG, type spec. 3.84 value. What does this mean

[humble19]

I'm Humble and my question was meant for you
Can u help thanks again

[gracefromHHP]

it's always most helpful when everyone starts their own thread and doesn't hijack someone else's post - thanks!

[catinbarefeet]

If you mean what test should you get done, at this point, since you have a definitive positive from the IgG, it wouldn't be prudent to have another done. If you want an absolutely accurate result, you'll want to have your doctor order the Western Blot from the University of Washington.

[catinbarefeet]

I believe I responded to your comment on a different thread.

These results indicate that it's unlikely you got the virus years ago. They most align with a recent infection, possibly several weeks ago.

You can disregard the IgM. It doesn't mean anything, and I'm not sure why doctors still do them.

You have 2 low positives on the IgG, which indicates that you may have been exposed to both types of HSV recently. However, you might also have a couple of false positives.

The best thing to do is to re-test 16 weeks past exposure, to give the antibodies time to generate enough to trigger a positive result. You can ask for another IgG (good, especially if something other than ELISA, which has had issues with false positives in recent years) or bypass the IgG altogether and go right for the Western Blot - the gold standard, 99% accurate, but will cost more. It's worth the extra cost for a definitive answer, in my opinion.

[chad8201]

Hello Grace hope your holidays is going great! I have a question. I'm currently in afghanistan so out here im not getting quality answers i feel I should be getting.  Long story short I had an Outbreak on my genitals and I also broke out on my cheek. The outbreak on my cheek came a few days after my genitals. I went to a clinic out here and they had to send my Blood to Dubai. When my blood test came pack I was positive for HSV 2. Both IGG and IGM were positive but my scores were different then alot of people on this forum. IGG was based on 16 or higher equalled positive, 0-16 were negative.  Ive actually come to terms that I have HSV 2 and I am doing alright but when I come back to the States in a few weeks I am going to get re-tested.  My question to you is what do you think I should do?

[humble19]

Hi doctor. Can u help me with these results
HSV1 IGG 1.002
HSV2 IGG 1.686
HSV1 IGM NEGATIVE
HSV2 IGM NEGATIVE
I had two red bumps on my penis shaft my doctor examined it and told me its fungal sores after he read my results can u help
.thnks

[gracefromHHP]

should you be discussing your oral hsv1 infection with partners? you should be as part of your discussion before performing oral sex.  oral sex is not safe sex and should always be protected until you and your partner are sure of each others statuses for all std's.  

can you transmit oral hsv1 to a partner without obvious symptoms? yes you can. most infections are transmitted that way.  http://www.ashastd.org/std-sti-works/Herpes/oral-herpes.html  has more info.  

hsv1 itself isn't considered a std. since it can be transmitted to the genital area through oral sex and genital hsv1 can be transmitted through genital sex, it should always be part of your "talk" prior to sexual contact with a new partner.

[garcia420]

Thanks so much Fleetwood! I appreciate your time and response..very kind of you. I have read a lot about Herpes 1 and 2. Now that I know I have Herpes 1, when asked if I have a STD...do I say yes but....?

My understanding of Herpes 1 is that I won't pass it on to someone via kissing and giving oral unless I'm in the midst of an outbreak ie cold sore/s on mouth?

If I'm not present of cold sores, can I still pass the herpes 1 to someone via kissing or oral sex?

And when someone asks to see my paperwork if I'm STD free, and I am besides the Herpes 1 test...that mean I have a STD?

Thanks so much and I appreciate everyone here who is open, honest, and I have a community of understanding individuals who share same thoughts, feelings, and situations

[Fleetwood20]

I'm not quite sure why they do combined tests for IgG anymore. Potentially if it was first such that if negative maybe the testing would have stopped there and the type specific not done.

In your case, the combined test indicated you had either HSV1, HSV2 or both; it tells you nothing more or nothing less. Great that the testing then went on to have type specific HSV1 and HSV2.

You have a HSV1 infection, no doubt on this I would suggest. Unless you have reason to suspect otherwise, this will most probably be an oral infection and one obtained during your youth. If you want to explore this further, please share some details of any concerns and we can help out.

You are negative for HSV2 and your lab is one that reports all negatives as <0.91. This means that you very probably did not have a HSV2 infection more than around 12-16 weeks before the blood test and probably covers off a period less than that.

Then you've had the IgM combined or HSV1/2. This is actually the right test for IgM. Type specific IgM are terribly flawed, there are enough issues with IgM combined. However whoever ordered these tests knew what they were doing. Most people, if infected with HSV2, will show positive for IgM combined or IgG type specific for HSV2 or both from about 14 days from infection. The problem is 'most' people do but not all. This should give you some additional comfort you were not infected more than around 2-3 weeks before the blood test but this is of moderate reliability.

Thus if you have observed a 12-16 week window, this is conclusive that you have a HSV1 infection but are clear for HSV2. Very probably you do not have a HSV2 infection unless you have issues surrounding sexual encounters in the past 2-3 weeks.