Herpes testing

I have never had an std test done before, so I decided to go ahead and do it.  Now....I feel that it was the worst decision to ever make.  Everything came back fine...except for the Herpes part of it.  My doctor called and told me that the test showed antibodies of HSV in a IGM with the level of 1.1.  This was back in Feb, then because I am a nervous wreck...I had her do it again this week.  It came up again in the IGM with a level of 0.9.  I am scared to death, and very confused.  She told me that I defintely had a recent exposure, but I never once had any symptom of herpes.  Either simplex 1, or 2.  If you could please give me some advice on this, it would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.  


This discussion is related to Test results show negative IgM and 0.97 for IgG.

[auntiejessi]

You need to stop testing with the IgM.  It would be beyond the time when it would mean something, if it was even a reliable test.

The IgM can be falsely negative or positive so often that its not even used by many labs anymore.

You need to test with an IgG.  If you have tested with an IgG test, and its been at least 3 or 4 months, then you can trust that result.

AJ

[TesQu]

Pls correct me if i am wrong, my STD clinic uses Type Specific Serology Test (HSV TSST) and claim to be highly accurate to point out if u hv type 1 or 2 HSV.

if thats true, maybe you can look around your city to get a medical institute to test you via this method.

[T321]

Thanks for the advice.  I'm not sure what test she used.  I asked her to test me for everything, and that is what came up.  Is the Igm a seperate test?  She seemed to explain it to me that it came up that way because it was a recent exposure.  She told me we would test again in 6 months, and by that time it will be an IGg result.  Does that make any sense.  I tried to ask her all of this, but I don't think she realized how much she scared me today.  (Low positive results or not.)

[TesQu]

well, if a test is not reliable.. then why are you bothered with it?

if i were u, take those test that is conclusive as final.. then take your herpes test elsewhere and do it again. no point worry over comments made by someone who is unsure over a unrelaible test.

[T321]

I hear what you are saying, and I am obviously going to do some further testing.  After reading some of the forums from the actual doctors on this site, it seems to be confirmed that the "IGM" test is completley worthless.  I guess my question is about how the test works.  I wanted to know if the herpes virus was present for a longer time...would it have shown up in another form...(Meaning the IGG)  

[gracefromHHP]

Type Specific Serology Test (HSV TSST)  is not a brand name of a test. It just means it's a blood test that is type specific - gives a result for hsv1 and a separate result for hsv2.


The igm test is a waste of time even with potentially newly acquired infections. It's not recommended to be done.  Your provider needs to do more reading and get up to date on herpes blood testing.  Recommend she read this study and pay close attention to the igm info on page 2 :
Common use of inaccurate antibody assays to identify
infection status with herpes simplex virus type 2
Rhoda Ashley Morrow, PhD,a Zane A. Brown, MDb,
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2005) 193, 361–2


You can retest 3 or 4 months after the last encounter with the igg and then move on if you even feel it's worth retesting.  


grace

[T321]

Hello,
         Just wanted to give you an update.  I asked my physician to send me the lab work, and I took them with me to the OBGYN for a second opinion.  We read the results togther, and I feel so much better.  The HSV that showed up was at the equivocal level, and it was listed under the IGM.  On the next page, there was an IGG test.  Listed under that, was both HSV 1 and HSV 2 were both NEGATIVE!!  My doctor told me as long as that was negative, there was absolutely nothing to worry about!!  She basically confirmed exactly what you said.  Thanks for putting my mind at ease, and for all the good advice.

[auntiejessi]

Ohh good to hear.  :)