Aa
Should I do an IgM test?
Hi Terry, as per my previous thread, I tested 0.2 and 0.08 for hsv 1 and 2 roughly more than 2 months post exposure. My only Symptoms are a month long lightheadedness and headaches. I am being treated primary for anxiety now.
But I am still stressing regarding my status. What is the good news in my current results? I spoke to a doctor that does std testing and he told me to do a igm to put me at ease. Given the fact that I have no history and a negative igg, the igM can be purely interpreted as a marker of a new infection. Do you agree with me doing this?
Also, I had a huge fear about hsv2 meningitis. Can I know more about this? How long does the igg take to go positive post primary infection meningitis? And were the episodes long lasting or self limited?
But I am still stressing regarding my status. What is the good news in my current results? I spoke to a doctor that does std testing and he told me to do a igm to put me at ease. Given the fact that I have no history and a negative igg, the igM can be purely interpreted as a marker of a new infection. Do you agree with me doing this?
Also, I had a huge fear about hsv2 meningitis. Can I know more about this? How long does the igg take to go positive post primary infection meningitis? And were the episodes long lasting or self limited?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The IgM is useless and has many false positives. I would strongly suggest that you don't do it. Period!
Your results at a little more than 2 months after possible infection is very good news. There is probably a 75% chance that your results will stay that way.
Aseptic meningitis is not uncommon with first infection, but the headaches and light sensitivity usually go away in 2-3 weeks, if they occur at all.
Terri
Your results at a little more than 2 months after possible infection is very good news. There is probably a 75% chance that your results will stay that way.
Aseptic meningitis is not uncommon with first infection, but the headaches and light sensitivity usually go away in 2-3 weeks, if they occur at all.
Terri
Do you have experience with patients that had aseptic meningitis? Did they present without sores, and how long did it take for their serum IgG to show up? Did the meningitis present as the 'infection', and they had primary outbreak later or much later?
Also, it is possible to get a primary outbreak after 2 months plus from the exposure?
Also, it is possible to get a primary outbreak after 2 months plus from the exposure?
Sorry if my questions seem to be too 'far out', but it would really help me in terms of determining my testing window period.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
We have had patients with aseptic meningitis with first herpes infection yes, and the vast majority have also had lesions, yes. I can recall only one patients in 32 years who had meningitis as their only symptom of first infection. Your testing window is no different if your first symptoms of herpes is a headache or a lesion. It remains the same. As I mentioned above.
Terri
Terri
Terri, just be clear, by infection you mean the exposure date yes?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes
Terri
Terri
I saw an ID specialist today, and it was his opinion according to his own experience that patients who manifest with aseptic meningitis, seroconvert via serum within 2 weeks of the onset of meningitis.
Do you agree?
Do you agree?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The actual studies on this issue indicate that by 3 weeks from infection, 50% of people who are going to become positive will have serconverted.
Terri
Terri
Will a few days (2-3) of trial valtrex skew my tests?
I am asking because my ID specialist says that presenting to him at more than 45 days since the onset of meningeal like symptoms, he can only speculate what actually happened since there is no way to check now. Hence the trial optional valtrex script to try if it eases my current headaches and low grade fever. So you can see how worried I am - no leisons to swab and also unsure if the 16 week mark is even useful for testing in my situation. I won't get to see him due to an extended public holiday before we check for more exotic and malignant causes.
1. Were you aware of time frame from possible infection/exposure to the onset of aseptic meningitis of your patients?
2. Can either HSV 1 or 2 cause dull headaches, low grade fever and loss of appetite for 2-3 weeks, regardless if lesions appear or not? I am scared that this is actually my asymptotic 'outbreak' now.
3. If yes, is a person considered contagious during this period?
I am afraid of touching the valtrex for two reasons: messing up my testing, and also if it helps, confirming that I have hsv-2. I would really be devastated if that single protected encounter leads to this.
1. Were you aware of time frame from possible infection/exposure to the onset of aseptic meningitis of your patients?
2. Can either HSV 1 or 2 cause dull headaches, low grade fever and loss of appetite for 2-3 weeks, regardless if lesions appear or not? I am scared that this is actually my asymptotic 'outbreak' now.
3. If yes, is a person considered contagious during this period?
I am afraid of touching the valtrex for two reasons: messing up my testing, and also if it helps, confirming that I have hsv-2. I would really be devastated if that single protected encounter leads to this.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No, there is no evidence that 2-3 days of antiviral medicine will skew the results.
1. Usually 2-10 days, the same as for lesions
2. No loss of appetite but some people with herpes do get headaches and a little fever, but that is also true of a million other things that can make a person feel unwell.
3. A person with new herpes is infectious, yes.
You are completely and totally swept up in this possibility, way out of proportion to your risk. I wish you could step back and see this but I think that is unlikely.
Luke, we are done here. There is nothing more I can add to this situation and you will not be reassured. I hope so much that you continue to stay negative and can move past this soon.
Terri
1. Usually 2-10 days, the same as for lesions
2. No loss of appetite but some people with herpes do get headaches and a little fever, but that is also true of a million other things that can make a person feel unwell.
3. A person with new herpes is infectious, yes.
You are completely and totally swept up in this possibility, way out of proportion to your risk. I wish you could step back and see this but I think that is unlikely.
Luke, we are done here. There is nothing more I can add to this situation and you will not be reassured. I hope so much that you continue to stay negative and can move past this soon.
Terri
12 weeks. 0.17 / 0.10 for 1 and 2. Any comments on the titers?
You see, I presented with a headache and visual disturbances, and got the proverbial white elephant planted in my head by the neurologist. Same case for my chronic low grade fever.
I will retest at 16, and finally at whatever duration you recommend. I have a new and promising relationship to protect, hence my obsessive behavior. I really want to move on.
You see, I presented with a headache and visual disturbances, and got the proverbial white elephant planted in my head by the neurologist. Same case for my chronic low grade fever.
I will retest at 16, and finally at whatever duration you recommend. I have a new and promising relationship to protect, hence my obsessive behavior. I really want to move on.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I have no further comments. The results speak for themselves.
Terri
Terri
Terri, I guess the titres are considered definitely negative still yes?
I would like to ask if the WB is only available in the US, and what options does this leave overseas patients? I want to explore this option at 16 weeks. I have a Quest Labs where I am from.
I would like to ask if the WB is only available in the US, and what options does this leave overseas patients? I want to explore this option at 16 weeks. I have a Quest Labs where I am from.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, negative. We've had no luck trying to get western blots from Quest labs overseas. I have, however, had people get their blood drawn somehow overseas and send us the sample to send to the University of Washington for testing.
terri
terri
Was this done privately? E.g shipping me the kit for me to draw blood? Sounds sketchy. Is there no import restrictions of blood samples into the US without a lab to lab proxy? I guess this is something I need to discuss with your office yes?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It was done privately, yes, though I'm thinking you could likely work it out through UW labs, but I am not certain. I'm not sure how this was done from the Europe standpoint, but we did receive a blood sample from Vienna without any problem.
Terri
Terri
Terri, I am approaching the 16 weeks mark. Will update you, hopefully this thread is still functional. Can I ask why my titres are not much lower, especially the HSV-1? Or is it still considered low enough?
About the WB, I did not enquire with UW yet, but I am not in Europe. My location is Malaysia. Sounds like I am out of luck?
About the WB, I did not enquire with UW yet, but I am not in Europe. My location is Malaysia. Sounds like I am out of luck?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
We actually are now able, as of yesterday, to send you a kit to have your blood drawn and return to us and we will send to the University of Washington for the western blot. If you are interested in this, you can contact my office and set up a consultation to arrange this.
Terri
Terri
Hey, Terri. Made a consult and spoke to Lisa earlier on, but had issues with the front desk setting up the WB for shipping. Is the green light still on for shipping the kits overseas? Kinda bummed about it (and also being charged for the consult as well haha).
16 weeks is coming up soon. Should I do another ELISA or just skip it wait for the WB?
16 weeks is coming up soon. Should I do another ELISA or just skip it wait for the WB?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The kits are brand new to the office as of my post to you on the 26th. I will help them with it this week. Yes, we can ship you the kit. I would skip the ELISA and do the western blot.
You are bummed about being charged for a consultation? Did you misunderstand that we are a free clinic? So sorry if you got that impression. It is not the case.
Terri
You are bummed about being charged for a consultation? Did you misunderstand that we are a free clinic? So sorry if you got that impression. It is not the case.
Terri
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Oh, and one more thing. I have spent HOURS on the phone trying to get this cleared up so I can arrange testing for you and others who are overseas.
Terri
Terri
Apologies, Terri. No, that was not what I meant. I was just upset that there were still issues processing it because I thought everything was in the clear. That was just disrespectful on my part, I did not consider yours and the clinic's situation. Sorry.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
We had a meeting about this yesterday and we are now ready for international shipments.
Where do you live?
Terri
Where do you live?
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.
