Understanding Test Results/Second Opinion

[Alicia1981]

Jan 29, 2009 I went to the doctor because I suspected a yeast infection. I get this very frequent. I tried to use monistat the night before and then the next day I was really irritated. When I went to the doctor I explaiend this to her. She advised me that she couldnt she anything because there was too much monistat coming out of me. I advised her that on the outside of since I used the monistat it was very irritated and became red. She gave me a script for Diflucan and advised me that she was going to order a Herpes test. I was confused because I had an annual in Sept and recieved all my testing then. Anyway I went along with it and took the test on Feb 3.2009. My reuslts were recieved and cam back Herpeselect HSV 1/2 IGG They both came back negative.  My IGM Antibody came back Positive 1.76. The doctor advised I could be exposed to Herpes but wasnt sure which one she reordered the test which I took again on Feb 17,2009. They advised me that was too early to retake. I dont understand though. I have never had an outbreak and I have been with the same partner for 5 months . I advised the doctor that I researched and found that since my Igg came back negative doesnt that mean I dont have anything and because I was havign the yeast infection at the time it could have caused the anitbody to come back positive. The doctor stated that Igg only means I havent had an older exposure and Igm means a recent exposure, but also could have been brought out due to yeast infection. I am really scared and unsure what to really think. Still to this day I have had no lesions or anything. Once I took the Diflucan the red spot I had cleared up which I know my body and say it was from the yeast infection or the monistat because I alwyas scratch when I do get thme because they itch so bad. I am asking that you please help me to understand what I should think and should I be worried if any. I told my parnter I was negative but is this a lie. Please help me.

Thank You
Alicia

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

The red bump could be many things from a hair follicle to a little cherry hemangioma, normal things.  

Your doctor is confused about the IgM test.  It is often an inaccurate test, sometimes shows up with new infection, and very often shows up with old infection.  It is just unreliable, so we don't know what to make of the results.  

Are you certain that your partner had a negative IgG type specific antibody test for HSV 1 and 2?  If yes, and he has not had any new partners recently and neither have you, then you can put this aside.

Terri

[Alicia1981]

Terri just something else. Is it true that the IGM test only shows if you have had a recent exposure. This is what the doctor stated that since my IGM came back 1.76 then I have an active infection, but I dont understand her reasoing because she also said my vaginal culture came back negative. One other thing I dont know if I am just being paranoid or what but I have noticed I had a small bump on the outside of my vagina that is like cherry red but the size of a pimple. Am I just paranoid or could that be a sign?

[Alicia1981]

Thank Terri,

I know he has been tested and has nothing so I guess I can stop worrying. The doctor again today said that she wants me to retake the IGM test again I am going to feel confident that I dont have anything and if it comes back again the same way it is inaccurate. Thank You so much I'm glad I had a medical expert to give me a second opinion because the doctor was making me a nervous wreck and scared.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

The IgM is not a good test to diagnose herpes as they are often falsely positive, especially at that low number.  If your IgG is negative at this time, that's good.  However, it would be even better to know that your current partner of 5 months is negative for both types of IgG as well.  If that is the case, and you don't suspect that he has had new partners recently, then I believe you are probably home free as far as herpes is concerned.  If your partner doesn't want to get tested, then the picture is less clear and you will need to wait 3-4 from the most recent contact to get the IgG antibody test and have it be accurate.  Is that confusing?  If yes, write me back, I'll try to help you sort it out more.

Terri