confused about partner's hsv status

[inquisitive77]

My partner says he saw symptoms of hsv on his genitals about 3 years ago - he has since had no symptoms. We were not in a relationship then but he has been tested each year for all std's (Quest Diagnostics - hiv, chlamydia, hsv, etc) and has tested negative each time. He was recently tested (March 2010) and let me see the results. I noticed that the hsv test, although negative, was an IgM.  I have read that this test isn't accurate.  He is still not 100% sure he is hsv free and has withdrawn from sex (we have not had sex). He recently discussed w/his doctor (at my urging) his desire to confirm his hsv status. The doctor said they looked at the test extremely closely this last time and told him he is worrying himself for nothing.  Why would his doctor keep giving him this test if it is not accurate? Should he take an IgG for confirmation and/or peace of mind?  I am having a hard time convincing him to get the IgG. Could there be anyway the IgM was correct if he has been getting one for 3 years?  I am reading mostly about false positives w/the IgM, are false negatives also common? This has been difficult for both of us (it's putting a strain on the relationship) so I would really like to be sure the IgM is inaccurate before I subject him to the stress of another test. Thank you for your time.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

He can tell nothing from an IgM test alone.  But the IgM test is not always wrong, so he needs an IgG test, as do you, in my opinion, if you are going to become sexually active.

Terri

[inquisitive77]

Hi Terri,

Neither one of us has been IgG tested and we are not sexually sex active.

Thank you

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

False negatives and positive are common with the IgM test.  False negative is the wrong term, however.  It may be negative and often is with established infection.  About 65% of those with established infection won't show IGM except perhaps intermittently. I would suggest that he request a herpes western blot from Quest for his final test, the code is 34534.  I think he should express to his doctor that he knows this is a little unusual and that perhaps he is obsessing about it a little, but if his doctor would just order this one more test, he'll stop worrying and asking.  

I'm assuming you've been IgG tested?

Terri