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IgM positive test and I’m worried

Roxanne11

By Roxanne11,
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Roxanne11 Honeycomb Member

Roxanne11

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So after breaking up with my ex, I started dating a new man from 8th March to the 14th May 2019. I tested on 21st March and got equivocal on the IgM and negative on IgG for both hsv 1 & 2. I had a new sexual partner on the 26th May. I got another blood test on the 2nd July and now I have a positive IgM result but still a negative IgG result. The lab did not disclose my index numbers which I’m annoyed at.

 

Does this suggest I have definitely been infected by the herpes virus in some form? I’ve heard the CDC has denounced the use of IgM for herpes diagnosis however I can’t help to think that it is entirely useless? Surely the doctors ordered it to understand if I’ve recently been infected?

my doctor did state that I have indeed recently been infected with herpes based on my results. If that’s the case how long until it converts to IgG? When should I retest? My doc said I should never screen unless I’ve had symptoms. I have never presented with lesions however ever since a bout of gastro overseas I’ve been getting random mild stabbing pains down there but I’m not sure if it’s mental or real as I am overwhelmed with my test results. 

I am keen to get further insight from everyone who has more experience with herpes testing... 

Edited by Roxanne11
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WilsoInAus Platinum Support Member

WilsoInAus

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Hey @Roxanne11 and welcome to the website.

If you’ve never had lesions and have negative IgG you can be highly confident that you do not have genital herpes.

IgM fires off more false positives than a Pier 17 barge on 4 July! 

It’s a test that has no credibility in adults. Repeat your testing if you have concerns, but only focus on IgG testing.

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Zach92 Honeycomb Member

Zach92

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3 hours ago, WilsoInAus said:

Hey @Roxanne11 and welcome to the website.

If you’ve never had lesions and have negative IgG you can be highly confident that you do not have genital herpes.

IgM fires off more false positives than a Pier 17 barge on 4 July! 

It’s a test that has no credibility in adults. Repeat your testing if you have concerns, but only focus on IgG testing.

Good to know. They’re doing a IgM test on me.

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Roxanne11 Honeycomb Member

Roxanne11

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8 hours ago, WilsoInAus said:

Hey @Roxanne11 and welcome to the website.

If you’ve never had lesions and have negative IgG you can be highly confident that you do not have genital herpes.

IgM fires off more false positives than a Pier 17 barge on 4 July! 

It’s a test that has no credibility in adults. Repeat your testing if you have concerns, but only focus on IgG testing.

Thank you so much, that definitely gives me hope!! How long should I wait to get a conclusive result? :) 

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WilsoInAus Platinum Support Member

WilsoInAus

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11 minutes ago, Roxanne11 said:

Thank you so much, that definitely gives me hope!! How long should I wait to get a conclusive result? :) 

Well technically this would be 12 weeks from last exposure. 

However as you have negative IgG and no initial outbreak in the past few weeks, it is beyond 95% sure you don’t have genital herpes as it is.

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mconcerned1986 Established Member

mconcerned1986

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16 weeks would be good however there are cases who seroconverted after year and igGs miss 8% of hsv2 infections and 30% of hsv1 infections compared to the western blot offered by university of Washington (UOW) which is 95-96% accurate for Hsv1 and 99% accurate for hsv2. This one is more expensive and should be done after 12 weeks following ur exposure 

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WilsoInAus Platinum Support Member

WilsoInAus

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Note @mconcerned1986 that these figures for IgG testing do apply for recent infections, nor do they apply to all segments of the population.

Comparing IgG tests to people who swabbed positive for an initial infection show 95-100% detection.

The Westernblot is also in excess of 99% for both types in the first year.

2 minutes ago, mconcerned1986 said:

Herpes blood tests are not 100% reliable. Unfortunately!

No but blood test plus swabs puts you way beyond reasonable doubt!

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  • Posts

    • EssenceL25
      Help me !!

      By EssenceL25 · Posted

      I’m going to force him to get tested ! Thanks for your help ! 
    • WilsoInAus
      Help me !!

      By WilsoInAus · Posted

      @EssenceL25 there really isn't a question mark around the source, it's your latest partner. The median time from infection to an outbreak of lesions upon initial infection is 4 days.  The only thing that isn't certain is the type I suggest.
    • EssenceL25
      Help me !!

      By EssenceL25 · Posted

      I asked if it was hsv 1 or 2 and the doctor said it was Hsv2. I’m not sure i just asked him when he was tested last he said this year I said I think we should go test together and he agreed . I’m going to bring it up again cause I really need to know if he gave this to me I wasn’t sure since it was so close to my previous relationship.
    • WilsoInAus
      Help me !!

      By WilsoInAus · Posted

      @EssenceL25 then it is all beyond reasonable doubt that the current partner is the source. A 'perfect' fit in terms of timing, symptoms and swab. It may be though that the type is not technically known. Culture swabs are very often not typed and just assumed to be HSV-2 if taken from a genital location. If you received oral sex in the days leading into 7 March then it is 50/50 as to whether this is HSV-1 or HSV-2. You could contact your doctor and confirm if the swab was actually typed (which is a second test where fluorescent antibodies for HSV-1 and HSV-2 are added and see which one 'glows').  If that test wasn't done then you do not know type. If you have oral HSV-1 yourself (cold sores) then this will be HSV-2. Does your partner have oral HSV-1? It is somewhat strange for him not to rush and test - many people have a 'reaction' if they truly do not know their status and have concerns that you infected them etc. (not initially rational of course). This indicates he may know his status - or maybe he just isn't simply the sharpest tool in the shed!?
    • EssenceL25
      Help me !!

      By EssenceL25 · Posted

      I had flu like symptoms and ulcers on my vagina . They did a culture and I tested positive for hsv2. I asked my partner to get tested he agreed but I’m not sure if he will cause he hasn’t said anything else about it. 
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