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Test Questions

After reading countless posts regarding the IgM test, I am completely aware that it is not a good test. I know that it cannot delineate between types and it doesn't indicate a recent infection. However, I'm not concerned with what type it is or when I got it at this point. I just want to know if I have herpes.

IgM was "detected" in my blood 9 days after I had unprotected sex. Of course the doctor told me I had herpes. A week later I tested again. This time my IgM level was 0.26. Now I don't have herpes according to the doctor. Both tests were negative for IgG.

I know I tested too early for the IgG to be positive and that I need to test again in a couple of months. My question is, if I don't have some type of herpes currently, how could I have ever got a positive IgM result?

Sorry for asking a question regarding this. It seems like there are a lot of them here and it must be frustrating! It's just really confusing and when a doctor tells you that you have something, it's hard to get it out of your head.
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101028 tn?1419603004
if you are no longer in contact with the last partner you had sex with in order to get them tested and see their results, if this concerns you then the only thing to do is to wait and repeat your blood test at the 4 month mark. don't keep repeating it over and over again - just wait and do it then.

grace
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Is it normal for test result levels to fluctuate? I ask because my IgG level has increased since my last test. The first test I took came back IgG 1/2: 0.16 and my last test was up to 0.30.

I'm guessing this is probably normal and is simply due to the chemistry of the test itself. I just want to get your thoughts on this though. Also, I've read that 75-80% of people will be positive at 6 weeks if they have it. I've tested negative at 3 weeks and 6 weeks now. No sores or real symptoms other than what I listed in my previous posts. Should I even bother to test again?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I tried that approach already, but unfortunately this whole ordeal has pretty much ended that relationship. So we don't really speak too much anymore. It's unfortunate, but it's what happened.

I read a post by Dr. Handsfield where he said that the chances of getting it from someone who is infected on any one occasion during unprotected sex is probably about 1/1000. We only had unprotected sex once, so it looks like my odds are pretty good even if she did have it and didn't tell me or didn't know it.

I'm just really burned out by this whole thing. I don't think I should have ever even been tested fo this. Nothing really suggested that I had herpes. Now it's in my head.
Helpful - 0
101028 tn?1419603004
At this point get your partner tested to see what their results are. Quicker answers than waiting to repeat your own tests.  Don't take their word for it, ask them to test and share results with you.

grace
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Grace...

Should I even be concerned with getting tested again? I have not had any sores or lesions and my partner says she doesn't have it. I have had two negative IgG tests and one IgM test that simply said "detected". That "detected" result is the only thing that has me going here. I had no reason to believe I ever had it to begin with. I had what appeared to be a venereal infection and when the test results came back negative, the doctor decided to test for herpes. This same doctor told me that sex is only for making children right after she told me I had herpes! Needless to say I got a new doctor after that.

Back to the point, I don't even know if I should be concerning myself with this so much. I have had some symptoms that I have read could be caused be herpes (i.e. cold/flu for a few days, light discharge, urethra discomfort). I've been treated with antibiotics and the discharge and discomfort seems to be gone. After reading about it, I am supper sensative to everything going on in my body. Every itch, tingle, blemish, etc., I think is herpes. I've had some other strange things going on, but something tells me they're normal and I'm just noticing them because I'm so sensative to everything now. This has been going on for over six weeks now. I'm not sure, but I don't think a herpes outbreak would last for this long. Even if it was an intial outbreak. Especially without ever getting a sore or blister.

Should I just drop this all and get on with my life? Also, the last IgG test I took was an elisa test but I don't know if it was a Herpeselect brand. Should I be concerened with the reliabliltity of other tests?
Helpful - 0
101028 tn?1419603004
The igm herpes test is a relatively bad test and should never be used on adults for the purpose of diagnosing herpes.  It shouldn't have been drawn on you in the first place.  A + igm means absolutely nothing except for it gives you reason to worry even more over the next 4 months until you can repeat your herpes igg blood tests.  At this point nothing else you can do unless you get an obvious genital lesion - then see your doctor within 24-48 hours for a lesion culture and typing along with proper treatment to speed healing.  Your providers also have to read up on the herpes igm test and stop ordering it on their patients too - Common use of inaccurate antibody assays to identify
infection status with herpes simplex virus type 2 by dr's Rhoda Ashley Morrow, PhD and Zane A. Brown, MD  is a terrific paper they should read and pay careful attention to the igm info on page 2 of it.  

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/248394  is a terrific post by HHH on why the igm test is a bad test in general.

grace
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I agree with you one hundred percent.My doctor told me the same thing But talking to different people at testing clinics I should not go by the IgM test. Im going through the same thing I am very worried I always test for Herpes and they always come up negitive this was my first time taking a IgM test and it came back positve so I am very scared what the Igg will say in the future I can do is just wait and see.
Helpful - 0
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