HSV 1 in early pregnancy - how to know if it's primary?

[MissMolly02]

I'm currently 13 weeks pregnant. At the beginning of the pregnancy, my gynaecologist sent me to do the   TORCH test. He is concerned that I might have a HSV-1 infection, and if it's a primary infection, that my baby is at risk for great deformations, and that I should consider abortion. So I'm pretty freaked out, as I never had any outbreaks, sores or similar, so I don't know if I have HSV 1 from before. My husband has it, and my mother has it, and it's obvious that I have been in contact with them quite close.  

my first test was done on 17th of September, and the results were:
HSV 1 IgG 11.4 U (borderline)
HSV 1 IgM 9.0 U (borderline)

they sent me to do another test, they drew blood on 02nd October, but lost samples, found them and did the analysis on 09th of October
HSV 1 IgG 11.8 U (positive)
HSV 1 IgM 11.5 U (positive)

Now I'm waiting for HSV 1 DNA PCR results, but will I know if the infection is primary?
Thank you, any answer would be appreciated.

[gracefromHHP]

well torch is an old fashioned term for a testing panel that really isn't done any more. many folks just say they are ordering a torch panel and really they aren't however that differs from country to country as well as from one institution to the next.  not being in the US, you very well might've had the very outdated torch panel done :(  

[MissMolly02]

Thanks for all the answers.
I've  read on this community that TORCH test is meant for newborns, not for adults - by why do they do it?
I've also read in the guideline for managing herpes in pregnancy, that routine testing for herpes is not recommended in pregnancy.
If I didn't found this forum, and if I didn't found data on ELISA method  accuracy (and understood them) I would be pretty freaked out - it's a shame that you can't trust your doctor - especially in pregnancy, when the stress should be avoided.
It seems to me, that my doctor taught he is Dr.House, he'll send me to do a test, and he'll save me and my baby...
Good that here the state covers all medical bills related to pregnancy.

[gracefromHHP]

we don't use pcr for blood testing for herpes. it's completely inaccurate.

[MissMolly02]

I repeated the question as my testing was done from blood, not from a random swab. Is in that case applicable?

[gracefromHHP]

no you can not as I explained in my prior post.

[MissMolly02]

Finally I got my HSV 1 DNA PCR results - test resulted negative. I got the info by phone, so I don't know details - but can I assume that I don't have active HSV1 infection?

[gracefromHHP]

no symptoms present, not likely a random pcr would pick up on  herpes shedding to begin with.   Same as with hsv1 genitally it hardly sheds at all which makes it even less likely you'd get any accurate answers from a random pcr swab.  if you had pcr blood testing for herpes, you completely wasted your money :(

honestly this provider doesn't seem to know enough about herpes to even be testing their patients. you need a different provider who is far more knowledgeable!!

[MissMolly02]

I'll seek another opinion as soon as I recive PCR results, that's certain. Ab was suggested if the infection is primary - but how they'll know if I got the HSV1 now for the first time?
Also, I read that ELISA test is limited in precision, so I think that my data don't necessary present increase of antibodies.

[gracefromHHP]

you aren't in the US so I"m really limited as to how much I can help you with test results.

most adults will test + for hsv1 on blood testing. suggesting an abortion for testing + on blood testing is completely irresponsible. I highly recommend you seek out a different obgyn if at all possible to be honest.

grace