HSV test results

[MM21]

I had a test done for HSV and don't understand the results.  Can you help?  Here are the results:

Test Results Units Ref Interval

HSV I/II IgG 36.3 High index 0.0-0.8
Negative >.09
Equivocal   0.9 – 1.0
Positive >1.0

HSV IgM I/II Combination
>0.91 ratio 0.00-0.90
Negative >.091
Equivocal   0.9 – 1.0
Positive >1.0

[HELP001]

A related discussion, HSV was started.

[HELP001]

A related discussion, Test results was started.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Maybe your doc requested an older version rather than a type-specific test.  If so, they might have done a type specific test but didn't report the results.  Or maybe that's actually a test for only HSV-1 or -2, but reported atypically.  You might call LabCorp to see what you can learn, before you spend more on an additional test.

[MM21]

Thank you for your response.  It was Labcorp that ran the test so I wonder why they ran an older version.  Thank you again. MM

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

It looks like you have had an old fashioned HSV blood test.  You are infected with either HSV type 1 or 2 (or both), but doesn't tell which virus. Unfortunately, such tests are still commonly done by some laboratories, even though tests that accurately distinguish HSV 1 from 2 are available.  Half the population has HSV-1, usually oral (with or without symptoms of cold sores).  If you want to know whether or not you are infected with HSV-2, indicating genital herpes, ask your provider to send a new blood specimen to one of the widely available national laboratories, Quest or LabCorp, both of which routinely do the right kind of test.

Also, tell your doc to request that the lab NOT do an IgM test. The IgM tests are unreliable and often give confusing results.

For more detail about all this, search the forum for "herpes diagnosis", "HerpeSelect test", "herpes antibody", and/or "IgM".

Best wishes--  HHH, MD