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Positive Igm, negative Igg, negative culture, but doctor says I'm infected.
Hi, I have been reading past forum posts, but I would appreciate some insight about my results. Here's how it started- I saw my gyno for my routine yearly exam. During the exam, she noticed a lesion that appeared to be a cut from having sex, which happens to me frequently, but she wanted to rule out herpes and other STDs. I had no other symptoms and was not even concerned about herpes. She took a swab of the lesion and did blood work. My results came back, and the nurse told me that the culture was negative, and I was negative for syphilis, hepatitis, and HIV. Then, she told me that my blood work was positive for herpes type 1 and 2 based on an abnormal Igm, which was 1.44. I did not get my specific Igg numbers, but she told me that my Igg 1 and 2 were both negative and within normal limits. But based on the positive Igm, my doctor wanted to put me on Valtrex and redo blood work in 3 weeks. I told the nurse I was not having any symptoms, and she said I could wait on the Valtrex until my next round of blood work.
I have continually read that Igm results should be ignored, but I would hate to think that my doctor is wrong and giving me false information. She has already diagnosed me with herpes and wants to determine what type I have. I wouldn't have even questioned my gyno if I hadn't read the information on this forum first. I have decided to retest with my PCP in 3 weeks, but I'm worried she will say the same thing based on my Igm. My boyfriend will be getting tested soon, although he has not exhibited any signs or symptoms. But we have been together for over 2 years, so I wouldn't expect a recent exposure, like the Igm results indicate. This is causing a great amount of stress on me and my relationship. I really don't believe the results, but then again, I don't want to go against what my doctor is telling me. Can she really be wrong, or should I trust what she says? Any insight would be helpful. Thanks.
I have continually read that Igm results should be ignored, but I would hate to think that my doctor is wrong and giving me false information. She has already diagnosed me with herpes and wants to determine what type I have. I wouldn't have even questioned my gyno if I hadn't read the information on this forum first. I have decided to retest with my PCP in 3 weeks, but I'm worried she will say the same thing based on my Igm. My boyfriend will be getting tested soon, although he has not exhibited any signs or symptoms. But we have been together for over 2 years, so I wouldn't expect a recent exposure, like the Igm results indicate. This is causing a great amount of stress on me and my relationship. I really don't believe the results, but then again, I don't want to go against what my doctor is telling me. Can she really be wrong, or should I trust what she says? Any insight would be helpful. Thanks.
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Thanks for your response. I will make sure to read through your journal. So, is it safe to assume that I am negative? Because the PCP said that if one of us is infected, then the other person is most likely infected, too. He suggested that I get retested for peace of mind. Also, what precautions do we have to take from now on? My boyfriend has never had any symptoms or outbreaks, and if I haven't caught it yet, what are the chances that I will? I'm just wondering if we really need to change anything.
You are thinking that your blood work shows a recent infection. There is no reliable method to show a "recent" infection for herpes. The IgM test which most providers thinks shows that is as I said flawed. If you look through my journal posting I have a nice write up including Dr. HHH's comments on the topic as well.
Your BF most likely has oral HSV-1. Many people can't recall ever having a cold sore in their life. However he can still transmit the virus via oral sex as the virus still does shed. Now this is all low risk but I figured you should know the facts.
Your BF most likely has oral HSV-1. Many people can't recall ever having a cold sore in their life. However he can still transmit the virus via oral sex as the virus still does shed. Now this is all low risk but I figured you should know the facts.
My boyfriend had his blood work done. Thankfully, his PCP was knowledgeable about the difference between Igm and Igg. It turns out that he tested positive for type 1 and negative for type 2. I'm assuming that's based on his Igg since it was type specific, but I don't know what the values were. He's never had a cold sore or any kind of outbreak, so the doctor is not treating him. But I still don't understand why my blood work would indicate a recent exposure after we've been together for 2 years. Should I wait three months and get retested? What do we do now?
I guess what you need to understand is the testing. IgM is a worthless test. Given that it is worthless you need to take that testing with a grain of salt. The fact is IgM antibodies testing is worthless due to cross reaction and the actual makeup of the testing could make a false positive. The IgG testing is the actual antibody that is found in people when they have Herpes its the long term response made by the systems to fight the infection which is the best one to look for. Think of it this way if your igg was negative and you have only been with your bf for the last 12 weeks then you have no new infections if he is negative.
Yes, it makes sense, but I'm having a hard time convincing myself! I just can't believe my doctor is not up-to-date on this testing. Even the nurse had no clue. I will wait on my boyfriend's results and go from there. Thanks again.
if your bf tests negative then you know this absolutely can not be a newly acquired infection so there would be no reason to repeat your blood work. make sense?
Ok, I will move up his appointment and wait on mine. But my boyfriend wants to make sure that my blood work is clear, so he wants me to do it again. He wants a doctor to confirm my results and say that I'm okay, and I guess I do, too.
We are both getting tested together in 3 weeks with my PCP. I scheduled him an appointment at the same time. He could probably go in sooner, but no matter what his results are, I still intend to get tested again just to make sure. Should I still ask for Igm testing to compare my results from last time? Or should we get Igg testing only?
Thank you for your responses. I have requested a copy of my blood work from my gyno and canceled a follow-up appointment with her. I hope my PCP and future gyno will be more knowledgeable about this. I am still going to get retested at my boyfriend's request. He also feels conflicted about what my doctor is saying, so it's for peace of mind. Thanks again for your input.
I had sex the night before my gyno appointment. She told me that it looks like a tear related to having sex, which she has seen on me before. But she was concerned about possible herpes, and that's why she did the additional testing- just to rule out any other causes. I would hate to tell my doctor that I don't believe her, but she is only diagnosing me based on my Igm results.
The igm test is greatly flawed and should not be relied on. You should consult with your doctor about reading the most recent CDC guidlines for herpes testing. How long ago did you have sex before testing?
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
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.
so what do you do now? well your partner should be tested to know their status. If they are negative, no reason to repeat your testing. if they are hsv2+ then at this point assume you are negative and decide together what precautions to take. It's not likely that you really have herpes if you had the cut for 24 hours or less and got a negative lesion culture along with negative igg blood testing.
it's very hard to question your doctor but you are more up to date on information at this point than she is :( Stand your ground and hopefully she learns from this and changes her practices.
grace