HSV testing

[hsvhelp]

Since reading this forum i have found out tha IgM testing is not reliable.  if a person has HSV, been infected for a 1-2 years would an IgM test come back positive?  What does it look for?

[gracefromHHP]

In theory the igm immune response happens early on and then is over and done with in a few weeks after infection.  However the igm herpes blood test is less accurate and most are not truly type specific .  They also can be present during recurrences of either oral or genital herpes so it's not an accurate indicator of a new infection.  

so even though a negative igm could be a good sign soon after possible infection - a positive igm is of no value at all which is why it's not recommended to be used to diagnose herpes outside of the research environment.  HHH has made zillions of posts on why the igm isn't useful if you search thru back posts on his board.

grace

[jda123]

IGM testing purports to indicate a new infection.  However it often indicates a recurrent outbreak or is simply false.  You should literally ignore it.  If a person had HSV for 1-2 years their IGG result would be positive.  Their IGM could be postive or negative.