What test will tell me amount of antibodies

Hi,

I posted about a week ago worried i had contracted herpes. After receiving a blood test it came out positive. The test did not state the AMOUNT of antibodies in my system, and according to the research I have done on this STD the more antibodies you have the longer ago you contracted it, or vice-versa (please correct if I am incorrect).
What test can I take that will state the amount of anitbodies in my system? I am going to see my GP on Wed (hopefully). Any help before then would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[unquietmind]

PLEASE will someone reply, I would like to get another test ASAP.

Thanks

[petal130]

No that is incorrect. The number just tells you if you are positive or negative, it has no bearing on how long you've had it.

What test did you have done? What were the numeric results? When was the sexual encounter? If you just had sex a week ago and truly test positive now, it would be your herpes status prior to that. Antibodies don't show up until at the earliest a couple weeks to sometimes several months.

[unquietmind]

i had unprotected sex about 3-4 weeks go. i took the herpes medication as well as medication for a staph infection, however after having the blood test done the result just states HSV 2 positive. I thought it was possiblke to see the amount of antibodies and that is an idication of how long you've had it? If i get the IGg test what will that tell me... the fact is I want to tell the guy who I suspect gave it to me. Before him I was in a 4 yer relationship and we had unprotected sex most of the time, it seems more plausible that this recent guy gave it to me, I want to be CERTAIN before talking to him... Any suggestions?
Ps. Is it possible that he DID NOT KNOW he had it and I contracted it and had a outbreak?

[gracefromHHP]

It's most helpful when you just keep adding your new questions/comments/updates to your original post. saves us the time of having to go find it and read thru it. thanks for your future cooperation with this. just keep adding any future questions to this post :)

If you had a blood test that said + and no lesion cultures done, it's best to repeat it with a type specific test however since I assume this was the blood test done just 10 days into things, I recommend waiting a few months and getting a type specific test done then because a false positive now, still means additional testing in case this was a newly acquired infection.  

You need to sit down with your current partner and talk about all of this with them. they also need to get tested and find out their own status.

Is it possible that he has hsv2 and never knew it? well yes of course it is. over 90% of those infected have no idea until they are tested :(

grace

[unquietmind]

ok... i know i may keep repeating myself but, i had the test done about 5 days into taking the antibiotics, it came back positive. i am having another test done on monday. i will get the IGg test, hopefully. he is not necessarily my partner, we've been casually hooking up for three months. it seems too much of a coincedence. it had to have come from him. we slept together without a condom once, then we fooled around without one, there was penetration, and about 5 days after that i started with the symptoms. originally felt like thrush then worsened into tiny blisters. i've never EVER had that before.

what do you suggest i do regarding the false positive because the blood test came back positive for HSV 2.....???? i don't want to lead myself to having 'false hope', i just want to move on with my life and if HE gave it to me he deserves to know.

secondly, is it possible he had it and passed it onto me, i had an outbreak 5 days after, and he NEVER knew he ever had it? is that possible?

[Neesey]

Hi,
If you see my post from yesterday, I feel as if I had a false positive. I had a negative for both hsv 1 and hsv 2, then a positive for hsv 2 then a negative for both. I have not had any sores, blisters, lesions, flu like symptoms, etc. Just a constant burning, tingling, so constant in fact that it has been 6 months with it. I just got back from my gyno who did a fourth blood draw for hsv 1 and 2 and my 6 month hiv test. I am nervous that the positive might reveal itself because she seemed so confused at the negatives test results before and after that positve. She did yet another exam saw nothing unusual, "everything seems to look normal," and is developing a plan based on my test results. They won't be in until at LEAST monday which feels like a year from now!  Have you had any signs of HSV 2? What made you feel that you may have it?

[gracefromHHP]

He's a sex partner, he needs tested. talk about this with him so he can arrange for his own testing to get you more answers faster.

grace

[unquietmind]

hey neesey,

i thought i had thrush, but i had the most AWFUL pain, especially when i urinated! then i felt a few bumps and i checked it out using a mirror. i had all these blister-like things all over my vagina. i absolutely freaked out. terrified, i called my gp and went to him. he checked it out and said "it can only be 1 of 2 things: a staph infection or herpes". i had had unprotected sex with this guy the weekend before- i started getting symptoms 5 days after, however i slept with him before that without a condom about 2/3 weeks before. he showed NO SIGNS of HSV 2. it never even entered my mind to ask him, naive and stupid i know... my blood test came up positive for HSV 2. i am having another 1 on monday, and IGg specifically.
i can't sit and 'fool' myself into thinking this is a false positive. i had the blisters, i have never had that before, i had had unprotected sex with someone shortly before then. all the signs point towards herpes.
i am so anxious because i need to talk to this guy. we aren't an 'item' and this makes me nervous. i doubt there's a chance i got this from my ex. we were together for 4 years, and always had unprotected sex. we never checked our statuses, but it seems ttoo much of a coincedence for me to have this now after sleeping with some one else without a condom....
i don't have enoigh knowledge regarding this disease to tell you much, excpet its best u get tested for everything u can. i now know my status and i feel more at peace. its taken me a while to accept this fate but i am on my way to doing so. please don't get too anxious, the truth makes the fear diappear.
please let me know what happens.

[unquietmind]

hi grace,

i will speak to this guy next week. but i need to ask, is it possible i conmtracted HSV 2 from him without him ever having knowing he had it????  i had an outbreak about 5 days after sleeping with him, is this possible without him knowing he had it? i'm so confused over so much!!! please help me

[gracefromHHP]

I already answered that in my first post to you.

Have you read the herpes handbook yet and/or watched the patient counseling video on the same site?

grace

[Neesey]

Hi,
I know all too well about the anxiety!!! It is so bad! I am awaiting my results of HIV and hsv on pins and needles, I just don't know what to think having 2 negs and a positive! No symptoms except tingling and numbness! What the heck am I to do? My NP is basically calling me crazy but not in so many words. I felt rushed out of there this last time, even though she made me the follow up appt. 4 months ago. I am sick and tired of this waiting, anxiety and frustration. I did this to myself being with this guy but I wish this nightmare was over! I wish u so much luck and God bless!

[unquietmind]

Hi Grace,

I got my blood tests results back. There are no numbers all it says is: HSV-2 IGm positive and for IGg it says negative... the test doesn't test for antibodies it tests for the actualy DNA of the virus so they are flawless. The IGm and IGg are appatrently different protiens of the virus. Is there anything else I should know or enquire regarding these reults?
Also, i had my primary ob about three weeks ago (around the 20 Oct) and i started getting symptomds again yesterday! is this possible to get another ob so soon? The symptoms are much more mild, just one lesion. I started taking antivirals again today because i want this ob to go!! Why would it happen again so soon? how can i lessen them?

Please help

[gracefromHHP]

So you had a herpes pcr blood test done then? I doubt it if you had an igg and an igm test done. They do not look for herpes dna ( the igg and igm tests ).

Yes you can start getting symptoms again this soon. It's completely normal and I believe it's covered in the handbook too I recommended.

grace

[unquietmind]

So I am 100% positive for HSV-2 then? even though IGg says negative??
What is your view on taking anti-virals everyday? I'm leaning towards it as I can't bare these ob.

[unquietmind]

Grace,

where is the herpes handbook? I have been looking all over the site... and the counselling video?

Thanks so much

[petal130]

http://www.westoverheights.com/genital_herpes/handbook/view_the_chapters.html

[gracefromHHP]

so your only + test for hsv2 was the initial blood test? Am I getting this right?  Can you get the results of that test to post?

grace

[unquietmind]

Hi Grace,

The results say HSV-2 positive for IgM not IgG. I am positive for HSV-1 as well, because I had shingles when I was a kid. But again, HSV-1 showed positive for M and not G.
Those are my results. I had symptoms/ob three weeks ago that's when I went to my doctor who instructed me to get blood tests the following week as the blisters had popped so no lesion culture could be done. I don't want to delude myself into a false positive reult. The fact is I had symptioms and the blood test shpowing positive for HSV-2. I had NEVER had symptoms before-never even had a fever blister on my lip let alone genitals!

New question though, I started having symptoms (felt like thrush) and slept with the guy who I believe infected me. We used a condom (that time) but there was genital genital touching, Would my symptoms promote an ob in him? or does it not work like that?

[gracefromHHP]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/248394  is a prior post on why the herpes igm test is flawed and shouldn't be used.

did your partner get tested?

[unquietmind]

If it is flawed so be it, but I have had 2 ob now and a positive reult in IgM test. He is not my partner but a guy I was having a casual fling with. I am telling him tomorrow. But Grace I would like to know. I was experiencing symptoms when I slept with him again. This was before my primary ob. Could my symptoms trigger an ob in him if he has the virus??
I can't sit here and delude myself into thinking it is a false + etc. I had symptoms and a positve blood test. I had two blood tests, both positive. Please let me know if I could trigger an ob in him.
Also, I am telling him tomorrow night. I am terrified because this was supposed to br a 'no strings attached fling'. Do u have any suggestions to what I should say etc? That would be a great help.

Thanks so much

[gracefromHHP]

unless you had a lesion culture that was + for hsv, I wouldn't assume your symptoms are due to herpes by no means. talk to your partner and get him igg tested and see what his status is.  

grace

[unquietmind]

Hi Grace,

Ok, so my test results: IGm + for HSV-1 and 2. IGg - for HSV 1 and 2.
I developed symptoms about 2-3 weeks after unprotected sex. Antiviral medication eliminated the symptoms. about a week later i had a 2nd ob. Again the meds eliminated the symtoms (symptoms).
I know that teh Igm test is not reliable, HOWEVER, do symptoms plus a positive blood reuslt on IGm concur that I have herpes? If it is - on IGg is it possible that the reason IGg is negative is because I contracted the virus recently?
The fact that I have NEVER had an ob before this 1st time and that 6 days after my primary ob I had blood tests that came out as the above reults, is that not enough evidence to conclusively say I have herpes?

[gracefromHHP]

at this point all you can do is wait and should you get a return of symptoms, be seen within 48 hours for a lesion culture and typing. Otherwise nothing you can do but wait and repeat your hsv2 igg blood test in a few months.

visual diagnosis of herpes is wrong 1/3 of the time even by providers who are seeing herpes a lot. At this point assume nothing until you get other test results that come back as +.  I know it's not quick and easy answers but it's the best you can do at this point.  

grace

[unquietmind]

wow, I hate feeling so helpless.... Should i not speak to this guy about it yet? We are not a couple, we really are just having a fling. I feel so vulnerable speaking to him about this ESPECIALLY if it is not certain that I have it, even though I genuinely think I have. I have had two occurrences, and I experienced the tingling before the second one. The antiviral meds worked.
Another question though, my second occurence had a lesion, it looked like a bit of raw skin, no blister, just raw. That is what I had initially in my 1st ob. It is not possible to get that cultured because nothing is in it right?
It's been about a month since my primary ob, how much longer should I wait for another test?

[gracefromHHP]

It's up to you if you want to speak to him or not. He can get tested and share his results with you to see what his status is.

You should wait 2 or 3 months until you get another igg blood test done.

grace

[unquietmind]

Hi Grace,

Ok, so the IGg antibodies appear after the Igm ones, correct? So then can I assume that because I only have the Igm now, and hypothetically I get tested positive for IGg, can I assume that i caught HSV recently?
Really feeling very messed up about this and I don't know what to do regarding speaking to this guy, so I just want to have as many facts as possible.

Thanks so much

[unquietmind]

Grace??

[gracefromHHP]

typically that is the case.  

grace

[unquietmind]

Hi Grace,

If i do suppressive therapy how does that work with having ob's and being asymptomatic?
I am considering taking antivirals daily. a) I think I will feel more at ease in general. b) I will feel more comfortable when getting sexually involved with someone, knowing that there is possibly less chance I can give them the virus.
So what do you recommend regarding suppression therapy?

[petal130]

You clearly aren't reading the herpes handbook as suggested.

Here is the chapter on treatment:

http://www.westoverheights.com/genital_herpes/handbook/view_the_chapters/treatment.html

According to grace from a recent post: As for suppressive therapy and its effectiveness - it is significantly effective. It reduces viral shedding by 80-90% and reduces ob's by 70% on average.

[unquietmind]

I actually read the handbook and watched the video, however I was looking foe other opinions regarding this issue. As you know this is quite a life altering thing and I want as much feedback as possible. So thank you for your I appreciatew it

[unquietmind]

Hi Grace,

I have recently noticed a discharge, almost yello-green in colour and a bit of an odour from my vagina. This is new. Could this be herpes related? When i got tested for HSV i had a full STD screen, all was negative except HSV 1and 2. During my primary ob I think I had a discharge and a different odour.
Could there be something else wrong? Is this a normal symptom?
I am going for another blood test in about 2 weeks, that will be 2 months after I had unprotected sex. This test will be specifi for IgG as my initial test only came back positive for the IGm test.

What should I do regarding this discharge? I'm concerned.

Thanks so much

[gracefromHHP]

you need to go and have this discharge properly evaluated by your provider.

grace

[unquietmind]

Hi Grace,

If 2 people with HSV-2 have sex whilst the one is prodromal or having a ob, can that trigger an ob in the other person?

[gracefromHHP]

no it typically does not.

grace

[unquietmind]

Hi Grace,

I have read that HSV-2 does not cross the midline. I had symptoms on both sides. Could it be possible that I have another infection and not herpes? I have been taking suppressive therapy and I am still experiencing strange symptoms.
I think I am going to go to a gynaecologist. There I will get an IGg test and any other std tests.
Do you think this is a good way to go about my situation?

Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

you need to be following up on this with your gyn or a dermatologist at this point. Not too much else we can help you with online at this point.

grace

[unquietmind]

I'm on the waiting list with my gyno, but I was interested if you knew the answer to that?

Either way, thank youfor ALL your help and support, I really do appreciate it.

[gracefromHHP]

it's likely something else is going on other than herpes.

newly acquired infections can present on both sides but recurrences typically do not. at this point this would be a recurrence so the odds of it occurring on both sides is very low.

grace

[unquietmind]

Sorry to bother you again Grace. I'm still waiting for an opening at my gynae.

What do you mean if it is a recurrence it would not appear on both side? Are you referring to a HSV-2 ob? So would a HSV-2 recurrence, typically, not occur on both sides?

Thanks again for your help