Aa
Looking for Info on Meaning of Test Results
I had a blood test done 2 months after a possible exposure. HSV I IgG type specific was positive (1.61), HSV II IgG type specific was negative (<.91), HSV IgM I/II was also positive (1.79). The doc told me to retake the HSV II IgG type specific again in 1-2 weeks because of the postive HSV IgM. How reliable is the negative HSV II IgG type specific at 2 months? What exactly does the positive HSV IgM mean? Should I get retested in 1-2 weeks? Should I wait longer?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
At 8 weeks, the test is probably somewhat better than 70% accurate. If you are going to retest, which I'm not clear is necessary, I would wait until 4 months have passed. Getting a positive IgM test often scares people, and they decide they need to confirm there is not conversion to a positive IgG test. Too bad it is done at all, in my mind.
Terri
Terri
The only exposure you had was oral contact w/ a woman's vagina? Although possible, STDs are not efficiently transferred in this manner, especially with such a brief exposure. You didn't even need to test from the exposure at all! =)
Most HSV I infections are asymptomatic. I've had HSV I for at least 10 years (probably since childhood) and never had one cold sore.
Most HSV I infections are asymptomatic. I've had HSV I for at least 10 years (probably since childhood) and never had one cold sore.
I've never had a cold sore. The expsoure was very brief oral contact with a woman's vagina. Do you know how reliable the negative HSV II IgG is at 8 weeks? When I retake the test, should I do both HSV I and II IgG tests? If I have HSV I, why have I not had a cold sore?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The IgM test is very often falsely positive. I would ignore it. Repeat the IgG when 16 weeks have passed for greatest accuracy. Have you ever had a cold sore in your lifetime? If yes, then that's why you HSV 1 test is positive. If not, then the HSV 1 value could be positive because
1) you are infected somewhere on your body, either orally or genitally
2) you were recently infected and are in the process of seroconverting, and that number will get higher or
3) it is a false positive since it is so low.
Waiting longer will definitely help you sort this out.
Terri
1) you are infected somewhere on your body, either orally or genitally
2) you were recently infected and are in the process of seroconverting, and that number will get higher or
3) it is a false positive since it is so low.
Waiting longer will definitely help you sort this out.
Terri
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
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.
