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HSV IgM Ab Detected, IgG Negative
The emotional toll I've experienced after testing positive for HSV IgM Ab has been almost unbearable. I received a call from the nurse on duty at my gynecologist's office indicating that I might have been exposed to someone with herpes. When I asked her to describe what the positive exposure meant she wasn't able to explain whether or not I had herpes. She simply told me I may have been exposed to someone with the virus. She called back the following afternoon to inform me that I was negative for both HSV-1 IgG and HSV-2 IgG, but to be on the lookout for a future infection. It has been 8 weeks since my last sexual encounter and I still have not experienced any outbreaks. My results were as follows:
HSV IgM Ab: DETECTED*
HSV-1 IgG: 0.03
HSV-2 IgG: 0.06
*The footnotes indicated "HSV IgM Ab Reference range: NOT DETECTED"
After doing some research online, I found this forum. I wish my doctor had explained things as thoroughly as some of the doctors on this message board have. I could have been saved from this psychological distress and would have been none the wiser to my apparent exposure. The nurse never informed me that this result could have been skewed due to exposure to chicken pox, mono, etc. My questions are:
1. Why do doctors test for the antibody if it's an unreliable measure?
2. Do I need to be concerned about a possible outbreak in the future?
3. Do I need to inform future partners of my exposure?
Thank you.
-Sarah
HSV IgM Ab: DETECTED*
HSV-1 IgG: 0.03
HSV-2 IgG: 0.06
*The footnotes indicated "HSV IgM Ab Reference range: NOT DETECTED"
After doing some research online, I found this forum. I wish my doctor had explained things as thoroughly as some of the doctors on this message board have. I could have been saved from this psychological distress and would have been none the wiser to my apparent exposure. The nurse never informed me that this result could have been skewed due to exposure to chicken pox, mono, etc. My questions are:
1. Why do doctors test for the antibody if it's an unreliable measure?
2. Do I need to be concerned about a possible outbreak in the future?
3. Do I need to inform future partners of my exposure?
Thank you.
-Sarah
Current CDC recommendations are that the herpes igm test not be used on adults for the purpose of diagnosing herpes. If your provider is still using the test and you are in the US, they should be updating their knowledge to better serve their patients.
at this point, repeat your herpes igg blood test 1-2 months from now and go from there.
grace
at this point, repeat your herpes igg blood test 1-2 months from now and go from there.
grace
In addition, the footnotes stated:
"This specimen tested "Detected" for HSV IgM by the EIA methodology but tested Negative by the confirmatory IFA methodology"
"This specimen tested "Detected" for HSV IgM by the EIA methodology but tested Negative by the confirmatory IFA methodology"
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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.
