HSV 1 + 2 IgG

[RobbenPrince]

Hi,

I recently went for a completely STD checkup.  Except HSV all results are negative.
Below are test results
HSV 1 + 2 IgG  == 1.20
HSV 1 + 2 IgM == 0.19

Doctor said I have herpes genital and advised Aciclovir tablets. He said chances of false results are less and he is pretty sure I have herpes genital.  Now this is the first time I went through comprehensive STD check. I always followed safe sex with condom. I never had any soars or blisters or any symptoms of herpes. I had few pimples/aberration on the testicles which have remained for years and doctor is not sure why it is there. I did read that sex with condom doesnt guarantee preventing of herpes.

My question is does "HSV 1 + 2 IgG  == 1.20 " indicate herpes genital?  I never had any symptoms nor did i ever have sex without condoms.

[Mistakeguy789]

I won't interpret your results.  However, I will tell you that the test appears to be a combo test.  You need to get a type specific test to know which type of HSV you have if you have it at all.  

It is true that the condom doesn't protect much against herpes.  

[RobbenPrince]

Thanks for the reply. After going through some posts I see that HSV1 and HSV 2 should be done seperately. I just got my results last week.  Spoke to doctor and he asked me to wait for atleast 15more days to go for a recheck.

But I wanted to know if "HSV 1 + 2 IgG  == 1.20 " indicates definite herpes or is it a too low value to be doubtful?  I never had mouth ulcers neither any symptoms on genitals nor any outbreaks.  Just want to know if there is stil a chance that I may not have herpes at all.

[Mistakeguy789]

The challenge with the HSV combo tests are they can sometimes be a false positive but we don't really know if it is a false score or if it is true and if so which type.  Your provider did the wrong test and I disagree that you should wait.  I am not as trained in the testing as grace and she can answer if it is in a false positive range.  But like I said we just don't know on that combo test.  

There is no way for you to know which site is infected based on a blood test.  Was your last sexual encounter longer than 3 months ago?  

You need to have a type specific testing to know your status.  So while I would say that your testing does have a false positive rate associated with it which is why we always suggest proper testing.  Your provider needs to update their testing knowledge and should review the CDC 2010 guidelines.  

[gracefromHHP]

how long prior to testing had you last had sex?   You need to wait at least 3 months after the last time you had sex to get the testing done.

the results of a combo test are pretty much meaningless. it has a low sensitivity and of course the specificity of that test is only for herpes in general, not specifically hsv1 or hsv2 which is the information you really need.

encourage your provider to update their herpes testing knowledge because they are currently doing their patients a disfavor as well as if they are diagnosing patients as having herpes based on the testing they are doing, they are setting themselves up for malpractice suits.

grace

[RobbenPrince]

Thanks a lot for your reply. Its is about 2months since last contact. Since IgM is negative I guess there is nothing recent.

I am from india and we just lack knowledge on STDs as talking about sex is a taboo. I wasnt even aware of HSV until the tests. I just went ahead with any test that the doctor prescribed. After going through here i see there is a separate test for HSV1 and HSV2. I am going out of the city for a few weeks. Will get my tests done immediately once I return. If I am not comfortable with doctor I would change him. It is surprising how it was concluded on gential herpes with a combo test and I am not having any symptoms. I will get the tests done for HSV1 and HSV2 separately soon. Hope it turns negative else will learn to contain it and have a healthy life with my future wife and kids. Will post it back here after my test just so that it might help other ppl too.