Psychological distress caused by misdiagnosis of Herpes through IGM test

[newcountrygirl]

A few years ago, I had what looked like a painful pimple on the left side of my perianal area. Had it examined by a doctor at my university clinic, she took a swab of it and then drained it. Said it could be either an ingrown hair or possible HSV1 from oral sex. At the time I had protected intercourse, but unprotected oral sex. She then drained it, and it was fine after that, just a little tingling. She ordered a test for e-coli on that legion, turned out positive for e-colli, but she never ordered a swab test for Herpes. I asked her about this, she said those tests weren't very accurate.

For months afterwards I got tested at a private lab - Herpesselect, IGG, each test showed negative for both type I and II of HSV. Final test was at 12 weeks, negative. I stopped there.

Ever since then I've been tested at least once after each of my relationships ended. Both IGG tests results were negative, i.e. <.90 or <.91 for both types.

My most recent test results came back today, negative. This test was a result of a scare I had four months ago of severe vaginal itching, mostly on my right side. The itching came back recently this week, the same area, so I tested yesterday, results for both types, negative <0.91.

In summary, I've spent hundreds of dollars on numerous Herpes tests, without ever having blisters or obvious symptoms, because of this initial doctor's misdiagnosis based on the IGM test and my own severe anxiety problems.

Thank you to the experts on this forum for educating me about Herpes and the unreliability of the IGM test, otherwise I would have been convinced for months that I had Herpes when I didn't.

I may never be able to resist the urge to keep getting tested and retested for STDs at every unexplained itching, I'm working on it though. I know it's psychological.  

[newcountrygirl]

Yes, Doctor, you are correct, I accidentally deleted the part where I wrote that doctor not only took a swab test, but also ordered the HSV IgM test which came back positive.

By the way, before the twelve weeks passed from when I got the HSV IgM test result, I went to see the same doctor for what I thought was a yeast infection. Vaginal itching mostly on the right side. No legions. Swab test resulted in negative for yeast, but this same doctor emphasized it could still be herpes, even though she knew I wasn't convinced. Based on advice from this forum, I told her I was waiting for enough time for the antibodies or whatever to seroconvert and then if I got a positive result from an IgG test, I would be satisfied with her initial diagnosis. I was surprised at how insistent she was this could be herpes. She really tried hard to convince me. Too bad.

Thanks again for your comment and I will work hard to avoid continued testing.

--newcountrygirl

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  Although it is not specifically mentioned in your post, I take it that when you were initially evaluated for the lesion you describe the doctor not only took a swab test which was absolutely the right thing to do but that a HSV IgM test was also ordered and came back positive.  As you now know this was absolutely the wrong thing to do.  Your willingness to share your story will hopefully be useful to others who read this Forum.  Your testimony regarding your false positive IgM test, an awfully common occurrence, re-enforces the reason that we urge clients to not allow HSV-IgM tests to be performed if they have the option and, if the do not, to not believe the result of an isolated IgM test.  thanks for sharing.  

If I might however, please let me try to talk you out of getting repeat IgG tests for evaluation of suspicious lesions in the future as well.  Most laboratories now have access to PCR based tests which are far more accurate than culture (fewer false negatives).  These are the test of choice for evaluation of ano-genital lesions.  Even the IgG test, while far better than the IgM, occasionally has false positive results, even in persons who have previously had negative tests.  I would hate to see you be mislead again.

Thanks again for your story. it is helpful. Stay safe. EWH