Question about Testing

[tenured231]

I am wondering about the viability of herpes blood tests. I have had only one unprotected sexual encounter, 5 months ago, with a woman of unknown std status (she claims she is clean).

I haven't had any noticeable genital ulcers or lesions on my penis or scrotum (with the exception of a minor rash on the fold between my groin and leg, and the occasional pimples on my buttocks; they occur frequently as individual bumps and neither tingle nor really hurt nor blister).

To be safe, I took a combined igg/igm hs1/hsv2 blood test at 6 weeks, 12-13 weeks, and 20-21 weeks, all negative. I understand that the time frames discussed on this forum are for type specific igg herpesselect tests. Are these time frames also the same for combined igg/igm tests? I'm not sure who the manufacturer of my tests were (they were done at different doc offices). Can I safely assume that I am not infected with herpes? Thank you in advance for your response.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

If you are talking about the IgM test, you are assumption that it detects infection is porblematic.  Whatever may have caused a FP in the past could very well still be there.  Stop wasting your time reflecting on the IgM test, it is meaningless and should receive no consideration by you (or your doctor whatsoever).  EWH

[worried891]

Doc,

I'm the same person as tenured231, had to create different account because of computer issues...sorry for that.

[worried891]

Hi Doc,

Im sorry to post again, but my doctor doesn't know what to make of my results. My igg came back .3 (less than it was in the 20 week test) but my igm increased to 1.4. He says he does not understand what is going on. I know IGM are not reliable, but how could it be that i am getting two false positives in a row so far out from exposure (over 5 months)? It's really driving me crazy.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You have to choose who you wish to believe.  The IgM test is meaningless - I said that, now I have repeated it.  It has many false positive results.  While an IgM test indeed does mean that an infectious disease has been relatively recently acquired in many situations, as we have ALWAYS said on this forum, they mean NOTHING for herpes.  The tests are not good enough to be relied upon.

If you wish to sort this out further, you can request a Western blot test.  EWH

[tenured231]

Doc,

My doctor told me that the positive IGM antibody could mean a recent infection, and that is why my IGG might not show to be positive YET, although he did say that there is a possibility that because it is such a low positive, it could be false.  He suggested that I re-test immediately. Should I request a WB test to be sure?

I've read that this value may not necessarily even be positive but simple "equivocal."

What are your thoughts on this? Thanks again!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your tests show that you do not have herpes.  The postive result that you ahve on the IgM test is, as you know, worthless.  You have been sufficiently tested to be sure that you have neither HSV-1 nor HSV-2 form the expsoure you describe.  End of story - there is no evidence you have anything to worry about.  EWH

[tenured231]

Doctor, I finally received my lab chart. This is the test 20 weeks post exposure. Please help me determine what it says:

Test Description, Result, Abnormal, Reference

Herpes I Ab. (IgG), 0.24, <.90
Herpes II Ab. (IgG), 0.38, <.90

Herpes Simp.Ab.(IgM) (3), See Below, See Report

**Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 & 2 IGM ABS [EIA] W/RELEX IFA

Test Description, Result, Abnormal, Reference

HSV Type 1 IgM Antibodies < 0.8 Index
HSV Type 2 IgM Antibodies 0.9 HIGH < 0.8 Index

Does this mean I'm positive for HSV 2?

[tenured231]

Clarification:

The HerpesSelect Antibody Screen IGG was two separate tests:
1) HSV1 = 0.24
2) HSV2 = 0.38

I've read the IGM are worthless, so I suppose it does not matter.

[tenured231]

Doctor, for your information, I called the lab that ran the latest test (at 20-21 weeks). They ran two separate tests:

1) HerpesSelect Antibody Screen hsv 1/2 igg = 0.38
2) HerpesSimplex Antibody hsv1/2 igm = 0.24

Are these tests reliable?