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Could IgG/IgM testing be wrong.

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hurtandconfused
Hurtandconfused

So a few weeks ago I went to OB for Papsmear. I told her I was in some pain to some extremely rough intercourse a couple of nights prior. She said she saw a lesion, ONE lesion on my cervix and wanted to culture it for herpes as well as send me to lab for HSV IgG igM testing. She called a few days later and said the swab was negative, apparently it was "healing" and my IgG was 0.47 IgM 1.51, and it was most definitely a brand new herpes exposure. Well I'm confused and I can't come to grits with it. I have been with my husband for 5 years. We have both been faithful (he says he's never stepped out. I want to believe that) but she said it's a recent exposure. Which makes me feel as if he stepped out bc wouldn't my IgG be higher if I had gotten it over 5 years ago and it was laying dormant? Could the blood work be wrong? I've never had symptoms,hes never had symptoms. I just don't know what to think and I can't come to grits with this. Hoping there is another possible explanation besides him cheating.

0 likes, 24 replies

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  • Hurtandconfused
    Hurtandconfused

    Posted

    This may sound silly. But since I tested negative technically for my IgG, could my IgM be picking up something else? I was getting sick and I am sick, I have had mono and I've also had shingles which I know are somewhere in the herpes family. Possible??

  • Hurtandconfused
    Hurtandconfused

    Posted

    Or does anyone know if it's possible that he's had it the entire 5 years but I'm just NOW exposed and making antibodies against it? Sorry for all the questions i just really want some insight. Does anyone have a similar experience?

  • christy14815
    christy14815 Hurtandconfused

    Posted

    Any test any test has a margin of error. Please don't doubt your husband over this. Has he been tested?

    • Hurtandconfused
      Hurtandconfused christy14815

      Posted

      He went Wednesday to get labs drawn, so hoping tomorrow they will call and he'll have a super high IgG level and somehow took 5 years to give it to me. I'm really trying not to doubt him I know he wouldn't step out, I just don't understand how else it'd logically be a "recent" exposure.. I just can't come to grits with having this for one, especially not knowing how it's killing me

    • christy14815
      christy14815 Hurtandconfused

      Posted

      The maddening and frightening thing is that HSV can be communicated by someone who has the virus and never has outward symptoms. Also, some people get tiny blisters that do not hurt, burn or itch, so they may not even know they are having an outbreak. So you are correct, it could have taken five years to give it to you. I hope this works out for both of you and that you can manage it without further problems.
    • Hurtandconfused
      Hurtandconfused christy14815

      Posted

      That is good to hear, thank you! He should have results by tomorrow I'm just anxiously awaiting lol

    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus Hurtandconfused

      Posted

      Don't base anything on your IgM result. Hope you have googled it by now. Nobody in the know about herpes recommends it at all, so do not let it consume you.

  • dora29322
    dora29322 Hurtandconfused

    Posted

    So, my doctor told me there was no way to see how long that've been infected.

    Of course i thought of the last person that i was with, but no one wants to here they have HSV-2. We are all in denial, in ways. We all want to believe that it's not happening.

    My advice to you is to follow your intuition ?

    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus dora29322

      Posted

      You can tell if an outbreak is a new infection or not, but it requires a positive swab and a negative IgG result. There is no single test that can determine recency of infection, however.
  • FelizCastus
    FelizCastus Hurtandconfused

    Posted

    IgM testing for herpes is inaccurate and prone to false positives. Even the CDC does not recommend IgM testing for herpes as a result. Only look at your IgG and swab results, which indicate you're negative. You may retest for IgG at 3 months if you're concerned. Incidentally, the test usually covers HSV-1 and 2 individually. You only provided one IgG score. Did they only test you for one type?

    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus

      Posted

      P.S. Do a simple Google search for IgG versus IgM testing for herpes and you will see what I mean. Not only is the latter test essentially worthless for herpes (does not determine type and does not indicate recency of infection, despite what many doctors mistakenly think), it is also inaccurate.
    • Hurtandconfused
      Hurtandconfused FelizCastus

      Posted

      I asked which one, they said it was tested for both 1 and 2. I kept asking well which one do I have?? They said there's no way to tell. A bunch of idiots apparently

    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus Hurtandconfused

      Posted

      Ask for a copy of your lab report. They don't seem to know what they're doing or talking about!

    • Hurtandconfused
      Hurtandconfused FelizCastus

      Posted

      I've got a copy, I wish I knew how to post a photo on here! It says as follows : herpes I/II IgG Ab 0.47

      Herpes I/II IgM Ab 1.51 Hf

      Then a bunch of other sh*t

    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus Hurtandconfused

      Posted

      Seems they used a non-type-specific IgG test, which is pretty unusual and unhelpful! If and when you retest (best at 3 months), insist on type-specific IgG testing, and no IgM test, as per CDC herpes testing guidelines (you can look it up online). Same for your husband, should he go in for testing.
    • ester80818
      ester80818 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Hi FelisCatus! Thank you so much for all your great info! Am I able to message you with some questions? I'm wondering if across all your research you came across anything with regards to after delivering a baby? I haven't had any symptoms for over 3 years only one outbreak. After I had my baby 3 months ago I noticed some sores. I didn't have any other symptoms. MD checked and said not lesions from herpes. Although I was convinced they were. He checked them twice over 3 week period and said 100% not. Since then i feel like I'm having back to back symptoms and taking valacyclovir at first sign which is vibrations and leg/hip pain. I'm also battling a BV which doctor thinks has been there since I delivered and never healed. That being said I've read that infections can increase outbreaks and hormones? But I've not sound anything specific around post delivery. I also did not have any outbreaks during pregnancy which is strange cause huge hormonal changes. I'm hoping the antibiotics and local treatment cures the BV and these ongoing symptoms go away! I'm so discouraged since ive not had to deal with at all over these last few years and now feels so intense sad. I still don't know if I have GHSV-1 or 2 but based on some of the reading I think may be 1 as I only had one outbreak and was pretty bad and then nothing ever since. No symptoms of anything at least. Anyway any insight would be most appreciated!! You are amazing with all you insights and support!

    • Hurtandconfused
      Hurtandconfused FelizCastus

      Posted

      So his results came back negative. He goes to a different office his test was specifically for HSV 2 and it said nothing about IgM but IgG negative, I'm hoping that means I'm in the clear? Lol

    • ester80818
      ester80818 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Hi Felis! I sent you a private message if you haven't received?! Thanks!!

    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus ester80818

      Posted

      Am making my way through the new forum posts, etc. About to get to your message!
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