Yes, it does mean you didn't have it beforehand, that's correct.
Terri
I think the ELISA is fine. If he comes up negative, I don't feel that you need to retest. I'm sorry you are so worried, I'll bet this will be just fine.
Terri
I think the chances are very low that you've had herpes for years and your IgG tests are negative.
If you have a symptom that is abnormal for you, a sore or something truly noticeable, you should have it swab tested. I hope your partner has had a western blot test done.
Terri
Thank you so much Terri - I feel like such a neurotic mess and you all on this board have been so helpful. I am so glad to have found this board. I have a feeling he is going to come back negative which will hopefully end this anxiety.
I think one thing that would help... can I safely assume I don't have a previous infection? That is what concerns me the most, to be honest. If he gave it to me then we'll work that out. What scares me and causes the anxiety is I fear I have had this for years and didn't know it, spreading it around. But with the IgG's coming back negative that pretty much says I didn't have it beforehand, right?
Unfortunately EVERYTHING down there is seeming to be abnormal right now and I refuse to let my anxiety rule me and wrack up unnecessary Dr bills for every itch or bump. You saying the chances are very low to test neg after all this time eases my anxiety.
As for my partner - we have to wait until the end of September for his 4 months to be up from the last time he had sex before me. Should he go straight for the WB or should we try the IgG again? If he comes up neg should I still retest?
Oh I just want this to be over!!!
I had to go see a therapist yesterday because the anxiety is getting to be just too much. I am on Xanex and can't concentrate at work. Every little thing is making me paranoid. I didn't think much of it at the time but a few days ago, while on my period, I felt a little soreness and a bump in my groin area but it went away in a day. I thought it had to do with my pad. Should I be concerned?
Bump - As I have sat here thinking about things I do remember having what I thought to be a horrendous bladder infection a long time ago.
Ugh - Am I just being paranoid??? What are the chances that I have had herpes for years yet my IgG's came up negative?
Thank you Terri, I was thinking more of myself - worried that what I mistakened as an ingrown hair was actually something else but for some reason my IgG would show as negative. After as much stress as I have put myself through this year and the fact that I get that blemish with virtually every period, would it be safe to assume that the results are correct?
there is a study showing that some people, only on the elisa, not the western blot, can do what is called serorevert, that is, dip below negative. I think a western blot is definitely the way to go to sort out his test results. However, when was the last time he had sex with anyone? if it was recently, then he should wait longer to have his western blot done, perhaps four months from his last encounter.
I would completely ignore your IgM test result.
terri
Addendum - My guy got his test results finally and it actually came back negative for HSVI but positive for HSVII in the equivalant range of 1.03 - I told him about the Western Blot.
Further to my question - can a positive person's IgG dip down to a negative?