low positive for hsv2 never had symptoms

Recently had a complete STD bloodwork done. Everything came back negative with the exception of low IGM and IGG for Herpes 2. My IGM was 2.34 and my IGG was 2.43. I've never had any symptoms or an outbreak and have done extensive research online. Now I am totally confused. I read that 3.5 or above is a true positive. Can I please get some clarification.

[lissavalenz]

Going by your name, I am assuming you are female?  So, that being said, you could have had an internal outbreak and not necessarily known it....i.e. lesions on your cervix or vaginal wall.  Some people can have such light symptoms that they go unnoticed, others are much more pronounced.  There are all types of outbreaks, you really can't go by what you see pictured on the internet.    You could wait six to eight weeks and get retested.  If the results come back the same or higher then you can be sure that you have the virus.  Good luck to you.  In any case, protect yourself, use safe sex practices.

[gracefromHHP]

are your results hsv2 results specifically or are they combined hsv1 &2 results?

grace

[overthinkergirl]

The IGG is type specific for HSV2.

[gracefromHHP]

how long after you had last had sex did you get tested?  

did you have symptoms that led you to get tested or was this just a routine screening?

do you have a regular partner?

[overthinkergirl]

about 5 days since my last sexual encounter

no symptoms at all

had the same partner for the last 2 months

I've been reading that igm cannot be type specific...is that accurate?

I've also read that if it's under 3.5 it could be false. But I am a low positive for both igm and igg for hsv2.

My doctor told me that I've had this in my system a long time and not to worry because I've never had an OB so I'm wondering why she didn't offer to do further testing.

[overthinkergirl]

forgot to mention that my bf had a coldsore on his lip. this sparked me to get tested because my lip feels tingly, but nothing is there.

[gracefromHHP]

there are supposed type specific igm tests but we still in general don't recommend them. the accuracy rate is still way too low and the false positive rate way too high.

at this point the best thing to do is get your partner tested for hsv2. If your partner is negative, then confirm your status with a herpes WB or a biokit hsv2 igg blood test to see if it's a true positive or not. You have a low positive so finding out if there's a chance of a newly acquired infection or not will help you figure out what testing to have next and when.

grace

[overthinkergirl]

if i had a type specific hsv2 igg why do i need a biokit?

[overthinkergirl]

If i have a low positive for hsv2 igm and hsv2 igg, then does that mean I have a recent infection?

The information I am finding seems to be very conflicting. I don't even think I have it at all because my range is so low and I've never had an outbreak. My dr says I have an old exposure and that's why my numbers are so low even if i never had an outbreak and to just not worry about it. Needless to say I think she's nuts! She was quick to rush me off the phone and told me to look on the internet and that because i tested over the range for both that there is no doubt that I definitely have it and not to bother with additional testing.

[gracefromHHP]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Confusing-Igg-Test-Results/show/771141  is a prior post by HHH that goes into details as to why we recommend additional confirmatory testing. Perhaps reading through that will help you understand why I recommended additional testing to confirm your status.

keep asking questions!

grace

[overthinkergirl]

Ok. Read through that forum. If I am a low positive for both IGM and IGG for HSV2. Could this mean that I am recently infected?

My doctor said it was old.

Ugh.....so much conflict here.

[gracefromHHP]

totally ignore the igm results. it's a flawed test and you can't really ascertain anything from your results.  

in theory, the igg would reflect a not recent infection. That said, about 1/2 of folks who contract hsv2, will test + on the igg in as little as 2-3 weeks. So in other words, you can't really put a time frame on infection with a + igg either.   if your partner tests negative for hsv2 , then you know that it can't be a newly acquired infection for you so it'll be time to confirm your results to see if it's a false positive or not with one of the 2 tests I recommended.  

your doctor probably is not as up to date as they need to be on herpes testing since for starters they ordered an igm for herpes. we provide the most up to date info on herpes and testing here so that you can get the answers you need.  most providers aren't up to date on the false positive issues either :(  

it's well worth confirming your status. If you really have hsv2, taking even the simplest of precautions can reduce the risk of transmission to your partner significantly.

grace

[overthinkergirl]

Yes. It seems like my dr was unaware of  "low positives" and that i fall into that category. She was so sure and convincing that I have it. I told her what I read online and she dismissed it, sticking with her original diagnosis.

I agree that I need to get a second test to confirm. Especially since my numbers were in that "low positive" range. Whatever that means. I was reading that only 35% of people in my situation are actually positive when tested with Biokit. This seems outrageous to me! Why is the index value so low if there is this much of a discrepancy for those under a 3.5?

When do you suggest I take the BioKit? I asked my previous partner and new partner to get tested.

I really think that I'm fine and didn't want to alarm them.

[overthinkergirl]

Also, what could cause a false positive? "low positive"

[gracefromHHP]

there is some cross reactivity that can cause a low positive hsv2 igg.

grace

[overthinkergirl]

Cross activity? Like if I have been recently exposed to a cold sore?

[gracefromHHP]

having hsv1 is a big reason behind the false positive issues yes.

[overthinkergirl]

Grace,

You are so informative. I actually think I'm getting an OB around my lip. My lip is tingling and there's a red line outlining my lip on one side. Is that HSV 1 symptoms? I never had this before.

[gracefromHHP]

it can be oral herpes. can also be from biting it from stress from worrying too.  

nuttin' is simple sometimes is it?

[overthinkergirl]

Got my original labwork...

HSV 1/2 IGM combo is 2.34
HSV 2 IGG is 2.43

I was reading that this means I've got it and it's either recent or a reactivation of HSV 2.

Does this confirm I have HSV 2 ?

[gracefromHHP]

still a low positive and confirmatory testing needs done.

grace

[overthinkergirl]

Biokit is positive.
Does this mean I just got it?
I

[gracefromHHP]

biokit being + does mean that you probably really do have hsv2. 2 different tests being + makes it likely you do have it.

no way to tell if you recently contracted it or not though.  have you ever been tested before for herpes?

I know it's not the answers you wanted to hear but much better to know your status for sure than to not know it for sure.  

keep asking questions!

grace

[overthinkergirl]

Never tested for herpes before. Never had a symptom. I just tested now because my bf had a cold sore and it freaked me out do bad because he had a prescription for Valtrex on his counter. Nobody I slept with ever had signs of herpes and I can't recall ever having any signs. I asked my former bf to get tested to see if he has it too.

[gracefromHHP]

over 90% of folks who have hsv2 have no idea they have it. You are living proof of this yourself.  it's so much more typical than folks knowing that they are infected.

hang in there!

[overthinkergirl]

I've been reading that positive IGM coupled with positive IGG means a recent infection.

[lissavalenz]

This is when the internet can be both a good thing and a bad thing.  There is sooooo much informatin out there.  Some of it is good and some of it is not so good.  It can scare the living day lights out of you.  

Positive IgM coupled with positive IgG results mean that you have a 66% chance of a recent infection.  Some people do reproduce IgM antibodies with a recurrence.  Having IgM antibodies and assuming a recent infection is a common misconception.  

I see that you asked a question earlier about timing for retesting.  Recommendations are up to 16 weeks post exposure.  Hope that helps you.  I know that waiting sucks.  Also, no matter what your results turn out to be, remember, you will learn to deal with your symptoms as others have and your life will return to normal.  Best of luck to you.

LissaValenz