Question about different results on HSV testing

[Holly_Golightly]

Hi,

I've done a fair amount of reading on this site, which I have found useful over the past few months, but given that everyone is prone to think their situation is different and I have worried myself sick over this, I was hoping to get some input.

Some history:

I had my first unprotected encounter in January 2009 (had always used protection prior to that and tested negative for everything - HSV 1, 2, and all other STDs). Developed an aggressive yeast infection in early February 2009, which a new gyne said was herpes. She drew blood (without telling me much), and the HSV 1 Ab IgG and HSV 2 Ab IgG were negative - the IgM was equivocal and then IFA was negative. A classic false-positive scenario with the IgM.

I continue to develop these symptoms and a new gyne diagnoses it simply as aggressive yeast infections that don't respond to OTC treatment - and also as a mild latex allergy. So that is resolved.

In early May I had another unprotected encounter. I never had any symptoms. In early August (count: 3 months later), I undergo a bout of severe paranoia and get hysterical over an ingrown hair. More blood is drawn and the test results read as follows:
HSV Type 2 Ab, IgG, S       Negative
HSV Type 1 Ab, IgG, S       Negative
HSV Ab, IgM, S by EIA       Negative
Test performed at/or referred by: Mayo Medical Laboratories

The culture and PCR and all other STD tests were also negative.

In November I develop a new site that worries me (no unprotected encounter since May 2009), this time it appears (to me) to be more typical of a recurrent lesion (though not entirely typical - being paranoid I might just have made the symptoms fit the information I read). I decided to get retested because my previous results were only 3 months s/p the last unprotected encounter and I know sometimes it can take 4 months to become detectable. My PCP (gyne unavailable on short notice) doubted it was HSV (more likely folliculitis) but wasn't entirely confident. I got another blood test at the beginning of December (this is now 7 months since my last unprotected encounter). The results read:
HSV Type 2 Ab, IgG, S       Negative
HSV Type 1 Ab, IgG, S       Negative
HSV Ab, IgM, S by EIA       Reactive
Reactive, but NOT diagnostic. Confirmatory testing
by immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) is required
and has been ordered under test "Herpes Simplex
Virus (HSV) Antibody, IgM, by Immunofluorescence
Assay (IFA), Serum."
Test performed at/or referred by: Mayo Medical Laboratories

To prevent myself for completely falling apart, I am interpreting this as another false positive. Because a) I've been consistently IgG negative for HSV types 1 and 2, b) I haven't had any other unprotected encounters since my last negative result, c) people say just ignore the IgM anyway, and d) my PCP says she expects the IFA to be negative given my clinical/laboratory history.

So - am I just another exasperatingly over paranoid poster who has made myself sick to my stomach over nothing?

I apologize for the length, but I wanted to get all the obsessive details in there.

Thanks.

[Holly_Golightly]

Oh! Thank you! That's what I secretly suspected, but I wanted to get some outside thoughts on it. At least this will help me sleep easier until the IFA results are back, though I guess I shouldn't worry about those either.

thanks again.

[gracefromHHP]

the igm is a very flawed test for herpes and we never recommend it being used. Your providers can purchase for under $3 - http://www.ashastdwebstore.org/herpes-testing-toolkit.html  to update their herpes testing info. there's a whole section there on why the igm herpes tests in general should be avoided on adults.  


you really have no reason to suspect herpes and have had multiple negative tests at the appropriate times.  Yeast can be a nasty bugger  :(

grace