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Confusing herpes test results
Hey all !
I recently received some confusing herpes test results and am feeling scared and alone - any constructive input would be appreciated.
Last week, I had particularly prolonged sex with my boyfriend (yes, we are monogamous). Towards the end of it, I began to feel dry and uncomfortable. The next morning, I noticed that my vagina felt very irritated and sore.
Two days later and my vagina was still hurting. I decided to take out a mirror and a flashlight so I could visually examine my aching vagina.
On my right inner labia, close to the vaginal entrance, I noticed what appeared to be some kind of a cut/lesion.
I freaked out (I'm a registered nurse and a bit of a hypochondriac) and immediately scheduled an appointment with my gynecologist.
The next morning, I met with my gynecologist and voiced my concerns (I told her that I was terrified that I had genital herpes). She performed a full exam on me and had trouble finding the "lesion" that I was talking about. I used a mirror to point out the specific spot to her and she remarked that she wouldn't have necessarily identified that spot as abnormal had I not expressed to her that it was painful. She also stated that it did not appear herpetic at all.
To be safe, however, she decided to perform a swab culture and have me go to LabCorp for herpes blood testing.
She swabbed the entirety of the "lesion" and I went directly to LabCorp.
A week later, she informed me that the swab culture was completely negative, as was the Pap smear.
By then, the "lesion" had also healed on its own (that took approximately 6 days).
The herpes blood testing, however, was less reassuring.
For whatever reason, LabCorp initially just ran the combo IgM blood test, which came back as positive (apparently, my levels were "slightly elevated").
My gynecologist called LabCorp back and told them that this was not the blood test she ordered and asked them to re-run the sample using the IgG type-specific herpes testing.
The IgG test for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 came back totally negative.
My gynecologist said that she didn't quite know what to make of all of this - she said that she can conclude that the "lesion" I presented with was not a herpetic outbreak. But that she did not know how to interpret the positive combo IgM blood test.
So I went back for a second round of bloodwork - this time, my gynecologist specified on the prescription that she wanted LabCorp to test for IgM HSV-1 specific, IgM HSV-2 specific, IgG HSV-1 specific and IgG HSV-2 specific.
Still awaiting those results.
After doing extensive research, I am very confused and upset.
First, I thought that due to the nature of the IgM antibody test, there is no such thing as a type-specific IgM test. Is that true ? In that case, "both" of the IgM tests my gynecologist ordered will probably come back positive :(
Second, if I do not have HSV-1 or HSV-2, what would a slightly positive IgM test mean ? (I have had both chicken pox and Epstein-Barr virus with recurrences.)
Third, how will I ever confidently know that I do not have HSV-1 or HSV-2 with this positive IgM test looming overhead ?
Again, any help would be appreciated. I've done a ton of research about herpes testing, etc. but I'd just like to hear advice in the context of my situation.
Thank you in advance for your time.
I recently received some confusing herpes test results and am feeling scared and alone - any constructive input would be appreciated.
Last week, I had particularly prolonged sex with my boyfriend (yes, we are monogamous). Towards the end of it, I began to feel dry and uncomfortable. The next morning, I noticed that my vagina felt very irritated and sore.
Two days later and my vagina was still hurting. I decided to take out a mirror and a flashlight so I could visually examine my aching vagina.
On my right inner labia, close to the vaginal entrance, I noticed what appeared to be some kind of a cut/lesion.
I freaked out (I'm a registered nurse and a bit of a hypochondriac) and immediately scheduled an appointment with my gynecologist.
The next morning, I met with my gynecologist and voiced my concerns (I told her that I was terrified that I had genital herpes). She performed a full exam on me and had trouble finding the "lesion" that I was talking about. I used a mirror to point out the specific spot to her and she remarked that she wouldn't have necessarily identified that spot as abnormal had I not expressed to her that it was painful. She also stated that it did not appear herpetic at all.
To be safe, however, she decided to perform a swab culture and have me go to LabCorp for herpes blood testing.
She swabbed the entirety of the "lesion" and I went directly to LabCorp.
A week later, she informed me that the swab culture was completely negative, as was the Pap smear.
By then, the "lesion" had also healed on its own (that took approximately 6 days).
The herpes blood testing, however, was less reassuring.
For whatever reason, LabCorp initially just ran the combo IgM blood test, which came back as positive (apparently, my levels were "slightly elevated").
My gynecologist called LabCorp back and told them that this was not the blood test she ordered and asked them to re-run the sample using the IgG type-specific herpes testing.
The IgG test for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 came back totally negative.
My gynecologist said that she didn't quite know what to make of all of this - she said that she can conclude that the "lesion" I presented with was not a herpetic outbreak. But that she did not know how to interpret the positive combo IgM blood test.
So I went back for a second round of bloodwork - this time, my gynecologist specified on the prescription that she wanted LabCorp to test for IgM HSV-1 specific, IgM HSV-2 specific, IgG HSV-1 specific and IgG HSV-2 specific.
Still awaiting those results.
After doing extensive research, I am very confused and upset.
First, I thought that due to the nature of the IgM antibody test, there is no such thing as a type-specific IgM test. Is that true ? In that case, "both" of the IgM tests my gynecologist ordered will probably come back positive :(
Second, if I do not have HSV-1 or HSV-2, what would a slightly positive IgM test mean ? (I have had both chicken pox and Epstein-Barr virus with recurrences.)
Third, how will I ever confidently know that I do not have HSV-1 or HSV-2 with this positive IgM test looming overhead ?
Again, any help would be appreciated. I've done a ton of research about herpes testing, etc. but I'd just like to hear advice in the context of my situation.
Thank you in advance for your time.
For more accurate results contact University of Washington to do a Western Blot test which gives the most accurate results. I will be retesting soon with them.
Also, as far as you know, does your boyfriend or any other previous sexual partners have HSV-2? Did you and your boyfriend have unprotected sex? Protected sex puts you at a 5% risk, I believe. If unprotected, I think the risk is 10% - this is regarding male to female transmission. Overall, the odds are in your favor. Try to rest and enjoy your holiday.
2 Comments
As far as I know, none of my sexual partners have HSV-2.
Yes, I do regularly have unprotected sex with my boyfriend.
Enjoy your holiday too :)
Yes, I do regularly have unprotected sex with my boyfriend.
Enjoy your holiday too :)
Okay, even unprotected, the risk is about 10% - still in your favor! If you're still somewhat concerned, you could ask your boyfriend to go in for HSV-2 testing as well. Even if he did have STD testing before, herpes is generally not included unless specifically asked for.
Hi! I'm sorry to hear you've been going through such a difficult situation. From my research, the IgM tests are useless and should be disregarded. Read here for more information about why the IgM tests should not be used and why any results should be ignored: http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/stdsstis/herpes/herpes-testing/.
The fact that the swab came back negative is a good sign and at the very least, you can rest assured that the specific lesion you observed was NOT herpetic. For the most accurate IgG results, you need to wait 12-16 weeks after your suspected exposure since the antibodies may not have reached a detectable level yet. It does not seem that you have genital herpes, but you need to wait 12-16 weeks before taking an IgG test for accurate results.
The fact that the swab came back negative is a good sign and at the very least, you can rest assured that the specific lesion you observed was NOT herpetic. For the most accurate IgG results, you need to wait 12-16 weeks after your suspected exposure since the antibodies may not have reached a detectable level yet. It does not seem that you have genital herpes, but you need to wait 12-16 weeks before taking an IgG test for accurate results.
2 Comments
Thank you for responding to my post - I really appreciate it !
I'm definitely 12-16 weeks past suspected exposure so I would hope that I could trust the IgG test as reliable. I'm wondering if it's worth it to get re-tested in a couple months ?
Or if that would just cause unnecessary stress.
I'm definitely 12-16 weeks past suspected exposure so I would hope that I could trust the IgG test as reliable. I'm wondering if it's worth it to get re-tested in a couple months ?
Or if that would just cause unnecessary stress.
You're welcome! If it's been 12-16 weeks since your suspected exposure and you haven't been having sex during the time you were taking these tests, then yes, you can trust the results. I was confused because you stated that you had sex with your boyfriend last week and discovered the lesions 2 days after then went in for testing. If it hasn't been 12-16 weeks since then, then I would wait and go back after that time has passed. Otherwise, you're good to go and either way, it does not sound like you had herpes.
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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.
