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STDs (Expert Forum)
IgM antibodies positive
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
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.
IgM antibodies positive
by Joe218, May 05, 2008 05:40PM
I recently had a blood test to screen for herpes and HIV. I have never had symptoms of either herpes 1 or 2, neither genital nor cold sores. I had a test and it came back negative for type one and type two yet came back positive for herpes IgM antibodies at a 2.01 level. I was with a new partner and had oral and vaginal sex unprotected 2 and a half weeks ago which was 3 days before my test. I havn't experienced any symptoms but I'm not sure why that would say I am positive for IgM when I havn't had symptoms. Should I be retested?
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, May 05, 2008 09:39PM
, May 05, 2008 09:39PM
scared_half_to_death has paraphrased statements that Dr. Handsfield and I have made numerous times in this forum. IgM tests indeed are worthless. They tend to cross react with antibodies to many other organisms. Furthermore, it takes more than 3 days after exposure for antibodies to become detectable. Finally, your antibody value is rather low, another finding characteristic of false positive tests. I doubt that you have herpes or that if you do, you acquired it from the exposure you describe. My advice, forget about it and move on. Hope this helps. EWH
If you feel the need to get tested for Herpes. Get a type specific test like HerpesSelect. Make sure that you are clear on the test name with your doctor before you have it.