Just diagnosed

Posted , 2 users are following.

Hey guys, as much as I was hoping I didn't have this I do .. just got my results back today and it was HSV1 & 2 IGM 1.70 positive, the doctor didn't really act like it was a big deal and also didn't prescribe anything. What she explained to me is that they tested me to see if I had an old infection in which they used the igg test (both hsv1 & 2 igg results are 0.10 negative) and then they tested for a recent infection which is why they used the IGM test.

My questions now are is this number going to keep climbing ? Because it was equivocal before

Is everyone I come into contact with going to get this?

Because the 1 & 2 results were combined would that mean that I also had a recent infection for hsv2?

(Testing is really confusing)

How do I know for sure if I have it on my genitals ?

(All the doctor said was this is very common and you get it from kissing then asked was "did he perform oral? Then kind of nodded her head yes)

0 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

  • Posted

    Just want to thank everyone who gave me some hope !
  • Posted

    IgM testing is so unreliable and inaccurate for herpes that even the CDC does not recommend it, but many doctors failed to get the memo, so to speak, and continue to order the test. It is worthless, and the leading HSV experts will tell you as much. You can Google it yourself. So, disregard your IgM results and only look at your IgG results and test for IgG again at 3+ months, if you are concerned. Combined tests are also pointless.
    • Posted

      So I should be test again, so far everywhere I go they are testing the same
    • Posted

      You have not had any real symptoms, but if you're concerned, yes, test again at 3+ months, but only for IgG and make sure it's type-specific. Combined tests only tell you that you have one or the other, or both, if positive, so not helpful. Again, forget the IgM test. The blood tests cannot tell you where you're infected, but HSV2 is nearly always genital. HSV1 is commonly oral, but increasingly genital, so it's less clear cut. The only way to know where you're infected is to have lesions and to have those swab tested.

    • Posted

      My concern is that the number rised from 1.0 to 1.70 so I'm guessing I really do have it .. I was exposed to this disease about 7 months ago

    • Posted

      Is a Elisa test more reliable?
    • Posted

      7 months ago is far from a recent infection. You would have been obviously positive by IgG if you had it from that encounter. Seroconversion for most people occurs at 3 months, less commonly 4 months. IgM is meant to test for *really* recent infections, until they realised it's not effective.

    • Posted

      The IgG test is an Elisa test. If your encounter was 7 months ago and you recently tested negative for IgG, even if combined, then you don't need to test again. You are negative. I don't recall you saying before that your encounter was a whopping 7 months ago, otherwise I would have told you this earlier!

    • Posted

      Well maybe I'm counting wrong end of January to beginning of feb 3 encounters with this person so maybe if I count from feb to now it's 5 months

    • Posted

      Still in the clear. 3 months is good enough. 4 months if you want to err on the extra conservative side.
    • Posted

      Lol, well, everything I've said comes from the US Center of Disease Control, the American Sexual Health Association and/or leading STD/HSV specialists like Drs Handsfield and Hook, Terri Warren, etc. If your exposure was 5-7 months ago, you've had no real symptoms since, and your recent IgG is negative to boot, then you are negative by the best mainstream test available when no symptoms are present.

    • Posted

      Because the IgM test is rubbish and inaccurate. If those had been your IgG results and the increase was significant, then I'd be concerned, but from what I know, the IgM test is essentially worthless when it comes to herpes. Terri Warren is particularly against the test and doesn't give any weight to IgM results, so nor should you.

    • Posted

      Ok thanks Feliz, what do you suggest that I do next ? Get tested again? See a specialist?
    • Posted

      Now that I know you tested 5 or more months after the encounter for IgG and tested negative for that, you don't need to do anything besides accepting your results!

    • Posted

      The part about feeling like bugs crawling down there is that true ?
    • Posted

      I'm having a hard time believing that I'm negative seeing that the doc told me I'm positive. I've been tingling any thing I feel makes me go crazy

    • Posted

      Google IgG versus IgM testing for herpes yourself. See what HSV specialist Terri Warren has to say, etc. Your doctor ordered a flawed and unreliable test for herpes, just like so many other doctors who don't know better. IgG is the best mainstream test when there are no lesions to swab, and it is good after 3-4 months. It has its flaws, but not as many as IgM. If you are still convinced you have herpes, then so be it. Sorry!

    • Posted

      But there are different kinds of igg test and she said the tested for a old infection ..
    • Posted

      "Old" is anything after seroconversion, so after 3-4 months. Your IgG test is probably HerpeSelect Elisa, like most people's on here, especially if from the US. Since your IgG is negative so many months afterwards and you have had no outbreak in that entire time, I cannot explain your tingling, but it would not appear to be due to herpes from that encounter you noted. Good luck!

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.