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STDs (Expert Forum)
Herpes/STD/Viral Contraction, IgM results
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Herpes/STD/Viral Contraction, IgM results
by healthrequest, Jun 23, 2007 12:00AM
Dear Dr. HHH,
You have explained earlier on the Herpes/STD forum that no STD can be contracted through clothing.
But here's what I still don't understand:
1) if a man's body ejaculation/body fluids come into direct contact with my skin in the genital area (through clothes, his jeans and my thin jeans since we were making out with clothes still on), is it possible that the Herpes virus (assuming he's shedding or has lesions) goes into his body fluid and then could infect me with Herpes/STD when his body fluids did contact my skin, i.e. body fluid to skin contact?
2) Does the fluid onto my skin bring with it herpes-to-skin contact? and 3) Is it possible to contract Herpes this way?
4) Are the clothes like a filter? I thought viruses were so small that they can even get through fabric?
5) How reliable is a negative IgM test for Herpes? I’ve read in medical literature that it can peak at about 10 days and go away by 2-3 weeks, but I’ve also heard that IgM was more likely to stick around and be detectable for a few months? So does a negative IgM at 11 weeks post-exposure tell you anything useful?
Thank you for explaining and for your help.
I’m still worried about this exposure to his body fluids.
Again, thank you for your specialist opinion and advice.
You have explained earlier on the Herpes/STD forum that no STD can be contracted through clothing.
But here's what I still don't understand:
1) if a man's body ejaculation/body fluids come into direct contact with my skin in the genital area (through clothes, his jeans and my thin jeans since we were making out with clothes still on), is it possible that the Herpes virus (assuming he's shedding or has lesions) goes into his body fluid and then could infect me with Herpes/STD when his body fluids did contact my skin, i.e. body fluid to skin contact?
2) Does the fluid onto my skin bring with it herpes-to-skin contact? and 3) Is it possible to contract Herpes this way?
4) Are the clothes like a filter? I thought viruses were so small that they can even get through fabric?
5) How reliable is a negative IgM test for Herpes? I’ve read in medical literature that it can peak at about 10 days and go away by 2-3 weeks, but I’ve also heard that IgM was more likely to stick around and be detectable for a few months? So does a negative IgM at 11 weeks post-exposure tell you anything useful?
Thank you for explaining and for your help.
I’m still worried about this exposure to his body fluids.
Again, thank you for your specialist opinion and advice.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jun 24, 2007 12:00AM
, Jun 24, 2007 12:00AM
You over-thinking it. Not once in history is a person known to have acquired any STD through clothing. You aren't going to be the first. HSV usually has to be massaged into the skin for infection to occur; just applying to the skin isn't sufficient.
You are reading old, inacurate literature about IgM testing for HSV. In theory, it works the way you descibe. But many people with initial herpes don't develop postive IgM tests at all; people with longstanding HSV infection sometimes DO develop IgM antibody; and many (most?) positive results are falsely positive anyway. In other words, IgM testing is exactly what you do not need; only IgG testing is useful. (In 30+ years, we have never once ordered and IgM test in my STD clinic.) Use the search link to look for 'IgM' and 'herpes diagnosis' for many discussions of this issue. If you remain irrationally and inappropriately concerned about herpes during your zero risk exposure, despite all you have been told in both your threads, and want to have accurate testing, you need an IgG test 12+ weeks after the event.
Note forum rule that sets a maximum of 2 questions in a 6 month period.
HHH, MD
You are reading old, inacurate literature about IgM testing for HSV. In theory, it works the way you descibe. But many people with initial herpes don't develop postive IgM tests at all; people with longstanding HSV infection sometimes DO develop IgM antibody; and many (most?) positive results are falsely positive anyway. In other words, IgM testing is exactly what you do not need; only IgG testing is useful. (In 30+ years, we have never once ordered and IgM test in my STD clinic.) Use the search link to look for 'IgM' and 'herpes diagnosis' for many discussions of this issue. If you remain irrationally and inappropriately concerned about herpes during your zero risk exposure, despite all you have been told in both your threads, and want to have accurate testing, you need an IgG test 12+ weeks after the event.
Note forum rule that sets a maximum of 2 questions in a 6 month period.
HHH, MD
Member Comments (2)
by healthrequest, Jun 25, 2007 12:00AM
To: HHH, MD
Thank you for your explanation, it's reassuring, and yes, I already noted the 2 question limit. Thanks!
