Help with herpeselect test results

[sade2000]

I took the Herpeselect Test at two weeks post exposure and again 5 weeks plus one day post exposure. The results were:

At week 2: HSV-1 IgG = .1  (ref <.9 is neg)
           HSV-2 IgG = .09 (ref <.9 is neg)

At week 5 plus one day:  HSV-1 IgG =.1 (ref <.9 is neg)
                         HSV-2 IgG = .37 (ref <.9 is neg)

Also, I had a neg IgM result at 5 weeks post exposure but was not given the exact value for the IgM. I was only told it was negative.

My question is this:

Should I be concerned about the jump of HSV 2 IgG from .1 to .37? (I understand both results are negative. However, I took the same test at the same lab so shouldn't they be similar? That jump from .9 to .37 is worrying me esp since the higher value came a few weeks later)

Secondly, could there be a window period where the IgM phases out and the IgG has not peaked resulting in a false neg at 5 weeks (and one day)?

btw...I understand that Igm tests do not distinguish between type one and 2 and may cross react with other types of related viruses (e.g., varicella) but I am somewhat relieved by the neg IgM at 5 weeks.

Again my biggest question is: Should I be concerned about the jump from .9 to .37 even though they are both negative?

Thanks,

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Any and all results below 0.9 are negative, period.  There is no difference between 0.09 and 0.37--even if your second test were 0.85, you could disregard it.  Below the cut-off, the variations are related to the physical chemistry of the test, not to development of 'a little bit' of HSV antibody.

IgM testing is always worthless.  Do not have another IgM test; whether positive or negative, it is a meaningless test.

Congratuations, on your negative results.  However, they were too soon.  You need to wait 3-4 months to know for sure you weren't infected.  (But if you had no symptoms, the chance you were infected was slim.)

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[sade2000]

I am worried about the jump from .09 to .37. (NOT .9 to .37)
Thanks

[spike01]

The numbers really don't matter. They would change from minute to minute. The only thing that matters is negative or positive however Herpes could take up to 16 weeks to show up in a test. That really s---s . I hope they come out with better tests.
I went and made yet another stupid mistake and possibly exposed myself to herpes again.
So my anxiety starts all over again!