Aa
HSV 1/2 IgM vs. HSV Simplex 1/2 IgG
12 weeks ago, I began to experience symptoms of HSV 2, with no known exposure to the std, having only sex my with husband. He is HSV1 positive and the only possibility of contracting HSV would have been through oral intercourse. I went to dr and had a full std workup done (through HerpeSelect) and results for herpes were as follows:
Herpes Simples 1/2 IgM 4.51
HSV 1 IgG 3.57
HSV2 2 IgG 0.15
My questions are: What is the difference between the IgM and IgG? According to +/- scale, I believe I have HSV 1, but not HSV 2, is that correct? Should I have the test repeated now that more time has past since the symptoms were present? Could a vaginal infection caused similar symptoms to HSV2? I have been on a Valtrex regimen since the dr. told me I was HSV2 positive.
Please help me straighten this confusion out...I have been extremely depressed because of this whole ordeal and need some clear answers....
Thank you
Herpes Simples 1/2 IgM 4.51
HSV 1 IgG 3.57
HSV2 2 IgG 0.15
My questions are: What is the difference between the IgM and IgG? According to +/- scale, I believe I have HSV 1, but not HSV 2, is that correct? Should I have the test repeated now that more time has past since the symptoms were present? Could a vaginal infection caused similar symptoms to HSV2? I have been on a Valtrex regimen since the dr. told me I was HSV2 positive.
Please help me straighten this confusion out...I have been extremely depressed because of this whole ordeal and need some clear answers....
Thank you
Thank you all for your input and expertise...I am doing the very best to put this behind me, but when I have a medical practitioner telling me one thing and lab reports telling me another, it has been quite confusing and mentally exhausting. I have lived the last 3 + months of my life in agony over this situation and frustrated with my dr. I will be seeking out a new physician and hope to never revisit this situation again.
You should never get the igm test done for herpes. http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/248394 is an excellent past post by HHH on the std expert forum that says why you shouldn't. Your provider needs to do further research into herpes and testing for it to better understand it. I shudder to think how many folks she's screwed up.
You are testing negative for herpes. There is no reason to repeat your test at this point. You don't have it. I recommend getting a copy of your lab tests/chart from this whole time and taking it with you to see another provider for better care.
grace
You are testing negative for herpes. There is no reason to repeat your test at this point. You don't have it. I recommend getting a copy of your lab tests/chart from this whole time and taking it with you to see another provider for better care.
grace
You don't have herpes, and if you can't put this behind you, get some therapy.
I just had a repeat IGG test done last week. Results are hsv1 0.86 and hsv2 0.11. Dr. is now trying to tell me that I should have requested the IGM, but only if I am having symptoms (which i have not other than in the very beginning of this mess). She has indicated that I must be in remission for my numbers to have fallen or that perhaps I am one of the few who will not develop antibodies. I am so confused...the report says I don't have this, but why does she keep telling me that I do? I don't want to get involved with someone and possibly put them at risk if in fact I am infected. Is there a dead on way at this point to know if I have genital herpes? Or am I just going to have to ride this out and see if I get another ob? I discontinued taking valtrex 2 weeks ago...Thanks for any other input you may have for me....I need to put this to rest soon.
COMMUNITY LEADER
The results would have said something like "herpes simplex virus isolated" or "hsv2 positive" - something along those lines.
Aj
Aj
ok...one last question...if the hsv culture had proved positive for genital herpes what would the results have said? in addition to the bacterial findings, that is...I just really really want to be sure of what I know before I contact my doctor regarding all of this mess.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you so much for giving me hope! I feel like I have wasted so much time being consumed mentally by this perplexing situation for the past 3 months. I have been paranoid beyond my own comprehension most of this time, but so happy now to feel like I can breath again and not be crawling in my own skin.
I am enlightened in a much bigger way, having spent so much time combing through sites, and reading about others' situations. I will advocate std and herpes awareness in a much bigger way than I ever have before. I am thankful for this time in my life, even though it has been hell...maybe I can be of some help or prevent a situation from happening to someone.
Thank you for your timely responses and and for answering all my questions...this board has been invaluable to me! Keep up the great work!
I am enlightened in a much bigger way, having spent so much time combing through sites, and reading about others' situations. I will advocate std and herpes awareness in a much bigger way than I ever have before. I am thankful for this time in my life, even though it has been hell...maybe I can be of some help or prevent a situation from happening to someone.
Thank you for your timely responses and and for answering all my questions...this board has been invaluable to me! Keep up the great work!
You need to get a new Dr ASAP!!! If he told you those were herpes, slap him!! Congratulations since you do NOT seem to be infected with the herpes virus! I am happy for you!!!
COMMUNITY LEADER
You have one of the worst doctors I've ever heard of lol.
Those tests are for bacterial infections, not herpes. That means you have staph and strep b in your vagina. They both could cause itching, discharge, and the staph can cause sores.
You need to get antibiotics for these. I don't know if you have genital herpes or not, but I'd bet money you don't, and that your symptoms are being caused by the staph and strep infections.
If your doctor is not treating these infections, you need to find a new doctor, and soon. You can also take these to an urgent care or walk in facility, and see if they will treat you.
I'm so sorry you have to go through this. It shouldn't be this difficult.
Aj
Those tests are for bacterial infections, not herpes. That means you have staph and strep b in your vagina. They both could cause itching, discharge, and the staph can cause sores.
You need to get antibiotics for these. I don't know if you have genital herpes or not, but I'd bet money you don't, and that your symptoms are being caused by the staph and strep infections.
If your doctor is not treating these infections, you need to find a new doctor, and soon. You can also take these to an urgent care or walk in facility, and see if they will treat you.
I'm so sorry you have to go through this. It shouldn't be this difficult.
Aj
Ok..after reviewing the hsv culture wo/typing report here are the findings:
Positive
staphylococcus aureus isolated (this would be the hsv1?)
Group B streptocuccus isolated (this would be the hsv2?)
I'm just swimming through a never ending sea of internet information that is becoming more and more overwhelming...I'm assuming this report confirms that I indeed have genital herpes in one form or another...
Thanks again...hopefully this will be the end of my questions.
Positive
staphylococcus aureus isolated (this would be the hsv1?)
Group B streptocuccus isolated (this would be the hsv2?)
I'm just swimming through a never ending sea of internet information that is becoming more and more overwhelming...I'm assuming this report confirms that I indeed have genital herpes in one form or another...
Thanks again...hopefully this will be the end of my questions.
Thank you very much for this helpful information. I have just ben beside myself with worry trying to wrap my head around all of this. My husband and I have been together for 15 years and to believe this is just now happening is in comprehensible. Unfortunately, we are also divorcing, so my next question is:
How do I handle the situation with positive ghsv1 should I become physically involved with someone in the future? I certainly don't want to infect anyone else...this has been a wretched experience and I feel like I have the plague now.
What type of ob's can I expect to see in the future? I know that is completely speculation, but what I experienced took 3 weeks from start to end...I hope it is not like that every time.
What about viral shedding? Do need to be concerned about ghsv1 the same way as hsv2?
Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions. My doctor has not been helpful in this area, only demeaning. Needless to say, I will be finding a new one.
How do I handle the situation with positive ghsv1 should I become physically involved with someone in the future? I certainly don't want to infect anyone else...this has been a wretched experience and I feel like I have the plague now.
What type of ob's can I expect to see in the future? I know that is completely speculation, but what I experienced took 3 weeks from start to end...I hope it is not like that every time.
What about viral shedding? Do need to be concerned about ghsv1 the same way as hsv2?
Thank you again for taking the time to answer my questions. My doctor has not been helpful in this area, only demeaning. Needless to say, I will be finding a new one.
On the flip side of all of this, you never have to worry with your husband about contracting it since you already have it so you both can now live a normal sex life without ever having to worry about infecting eachother.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Where is your doctor getting the hsv2 positive thing?
The IgG looks for established infections, and that can be anywhere from 3 weeks old on up. The IgM, in theory, looks for new infections, but its not always accurate.
If your husband is only positive for type 1, and he's been your only partner for longer than 4 months, then you can assume that your hsv1 is genital, if you've had a positive culture done. And yes, this probably came from oral sex.
Your hsv2 test was clearly negative. You can stay on the valtrex if you'd like, but genital hsv1 usually brings on infrequent, mild outbreaks (obs), and since your husband already has it, he probably won't ever get it genitally. Many people with ghsv1 decide not to take the medication daily.
Aj
The IgG looks for established infections, and that can be anywhere from 3 weeks old on up. The IgM, in theory, looks for new infections, but its not always accurate.
If your husband is only positive for type 1, and he's been your only partner for longer than 4 months, then you can assume that your hsv1 is genital, if you've had a positive culture done. And yes, this probably came from oral sex.
Your hsv2 test was clearly negative. You can stay on the valtrex if you'd like, but genital hsv1 usually brings on infrequent, mild outbreaks (obs), and since your husband already has it, he probably won't ever get it genitally. Many people with ghsv1 decide not to take the medication daily.
Aj
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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.
