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Can the results of a Herpes exam come out erroneous?
Did an Igm Herpes exam and my results were HSV 1 IGM 1:20A Positive A and HSV 2 IGM 1:40A Positive A.
I have not had a genital herpes outbreak, but I have had a cold sore in two occasions in my mouth. Could there be a chance that the results for genital herpes are picking up on the antibodies for oral Herpes?
Is there a more specific test I could do to make sure that I have genital herpes?
How easy is it to transmit herpes to a sexual partner? Would they get infected with both types of Herpes if having unprotected sex?
Does this mean I shouldn't give oral sex?
I have not had a genital herpes outbreak, but I have had a cold sore in two occasions in my mouth. Could there be a chance that the results for genital herpes are picking up on the antibodies for oral Herpes?
Is there a more specific test I could do to make sure that I have genital herpes?
How easy is it to transmit herpes to a sexual partner? Would they get infected with both types of Herpes if having unprotected sex?
Does this mean I shouldn't give oral sex?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yes, there is a good chance this is a false positive.
First, the IgM is not a reliable test. It doesn't do a good job of differentiating between a new and established infection, and doesn't do well differentiating between type 1 and 2. It's supposed to look for new antibodies, but can be reactive when someone has a well-established infection. It can also react to antibodies for other herpes viruses, like the chicken pox.
It shouldn't be done on adults. The CDC has said this for a long time, but doctors aren't aware of it.
https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2013/07/order-herpes-igm-blood-test.html
https://www.statnews.com/2017/01/26/flawed-herpes-testing-leads-to-false-positives/
https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/herpes.htm
Also, if you've had cold sores before, you have an established infection. You shouldn't have the IgM test, which is supposed to look for new infections - within about 2 weeks of exposure. (Though are you sure? Cold sores occur on the lips, not in the mouth. Sores in the mouth are canker sores, not cold sores. You should google them both to look for images to see which one you had.)
In any case, the test you want is an IgG type specific IgG blood test.
When was your last possible exposure? What was your exposure?
It's hard to say if you have it or not - the IgM is unreliable enough that you should act like you didn't have any testing - ignore it completely.
Herpes is infectious, obviously, but a lot goes into how infectious it is. It's more infectious with a sore present than if one isn't. If someone takes daily meds to suppress the virus, that lowers transmission rates.
If you have genital herpes type 1, which you can get from oral sex, that's less infectious than genital herpes type 2, or oral herpes type 1.
So let's cross that bridge when we get there. Get an IgG type specific test. It can take up to 4 months to be conclusive, though most will show positive by 6 weeks.
First, the IgM is not a reliable test. It doesn't do a good job of differentiating between a new and established infection, and doesn't do well differentiating between type 1 and 2. It's supposed to look for new antibodies, but can be reactive when someone has a well-established infection. It can also react to antibodies for other herpes viruses, like the chicken pox.
It shouldn't be done on adults. The CDC has said this for a long time, but doctors aren't aware of it.
https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2013/07/order-herpes-igm-blood-test.html
https://www.statnews.com/2017/01/26/flawed-herpes-testing-leads-to-false-positives/
https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/herpes.htm
Also, if you've had cold sores before, you have an established infection. You shouldn't have the IgM test, which is supposed to look for new infections - within about 2 weeks of exposure. (Though are you sure? Cold sores occur on the lips, not in the mouth. Sores in the mouth are canker sores, not cold sores. You should google them both to look for images to see which one you had.)
In any case, the test you want is an IgG type specific IgG blood test.
When was your last possible exposure? What was your exposure?
It's hard to say if you have it or not - the IgM is unreliable enough that you should act like you didn't have any testing - ignore it completely.
Herpes is infectious, obviously, but a lot goes into how infectious it is. It's more infectious with a sore present than if one isn't. If someone takes daily meds to suppress the virus, that lowers transmission rates.
If you have genital herpes type 1, which you can get from oral sex, that's less infectious than genital herpes type 2, or oral herpes type 1.
So let's cross that bridge when we get there. Get an IgG type specific test. It can take up to 4 months to be conclusive, though most will show positive by 6 weeks.
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
