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Unanswered question regarding negative results for IgM Herpes test
Hello all,
I have heard over and over that that IgM Herpes test is an inaccurate for the following reasons:
1. IgM antibodies can appear in people who have had a past rather than a recent infection.
2. The test cannot distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2, so a positive result for either or both infections could mean you have either or both infections, irrespectively.
3. Positive results can may actually be the result of other viruses such as mono or the chickenpox.
I have heard a lot about how POSITIVE results can be terribly misleading, prompting one to get the IgG test after 3-4 months. Recently, I aquired a NEGATIVE result from a type specific IgM test. I will be getting the IgG test in 3-4 months just to be sure of things, however I am realizing that this may not be totally necessary. Given the following conditions, how likely is it that I recently aquired HSV-1 or HSV-2 in the genital region:
1. IgM HSV-1 and HSV-2 test taken 5 days after the day of possible infection; negative results for both infections.
2. I most likely have HSV-1 in the oral region. I used to get sores on my lips when I was young, but now I seldomly or never get sores.
3. While I could easily have been infected at some earlier point, I don't have an especially good reason to believe that I acquired either infection before this most recent instance of possible infection (I'm young, always use contraception, never had symptoms, have a relatively short sexual history, was in a relationship with someone for an extended period, etc.), but you never know. I am going to get the IgG test in 3-4 months just in case, but lets assume that that the most recent instance was the only one in which I could have possibly aquired the virus.
Given these conditions, how likely is it really for my to have acquired either virus in the genital area? The only thing that I have heard that is making me worry a bit came from the following link, which said that the IgM test "will be negative in up to half of persons who recently acquired herpes but have culture-document first episodes."
http://www.ashastd.org/std-sti/Herpes/testing.html
Some things I may add are that my partner, according to her testimony, never had any sort of rash, however she gets frequent UTIs. I was negative for every other STD as well as for a UTI, however I had UTI-like and STD-like sypmtoms such as buring and itching, frequent urination, uretral pain and burning, groin and hip pain etc.
If you want to hear my full story, you can find it in the following link, but in regards to this specific question, I believe I've provided the most relevant information.
http://www.************.com/boards/sexually-transmitted-diseases/934653-negative-test-results-but-still-have-sypmtoms.html
Thanks in advance!
I have heard over and over that that IgM Herpes test is an inaccurate for the following reasons:
1. IgM antibodies can appear in people who have had a past rather than a recent infection.
2. The test cannot distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2, so a positive result for either or both infections could mean you have either or both infections, irrespectively.
3. Positive results can may actually be the result of other viruses such as mono or the chickenpox.
I have heard a lot about how POSITIVE results can be terribly misleading, prompting one to get the IgG test after 3-4 months. Recently, I aquired a NEGATIVE result from a type specific IgM test. I will be getting the IgG test in 3-4 months just to be sure of things, however I am realizing that this may not be totally necessary. Given the following conditions, how likely is it that I recently aquired HSV-1 or HSV-2 in the genital region:
1. IgM HSV-1 and HSV-2 test taken 5 days after the day of possible infection; negative results for both infections.
2. I most likely have HSV-1 in the oral region. I used to get sores on my lips when I was young, but now I seldomly or never get sores.
3. While I could easily have been infected at some earlier point, I don't have an especially good reason to believe that I acquired either infection before this most recent instance of possible infection (I'm young, always use contraception, never had symptoms, have a relatively short sexual history, was in a relationship with someone for an extended period, etc.), but you never know. I am going to get the IgG test in 3-4 months just in case, but lets assume that that the most recent instance was the only one in which I could have possibly aquired the virus.
Given these conditions, how likely is it really for my to have acquired either virus in the genital area? The only thing that I have heard that is making me worry a bit came from the following link, which said that the IgM test "will be negative in up to half of persons who recently acquired herpes but have culture-document first episodes."
http://www.ashastd.org/std-sti/Herpes/testing.html
Some things I may add are that my partner, according to her testimony, never had any sort of rash, however she gets frequent UTIs. I was negative for every other STD as well as for a UTI, however I had UTI-like and STD-like sypmtoms such as buring and itching, frequent urination, uretral pain and burning, groin and hip pain etc.
If you want to hear my full story, you can find it in the following link, but in regards to this specific question, I believe I've provided the most relevant information.
http://www.************.com/boards/sexually-transmitted-diseases/934653-negative-test-results-but-still-have-sypmtoms.html
Thanks in advance!
no it is not reliable when negative.
testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia 2 days post encounter was too early too. syphilis testing has to be at least 6 weeks post encounter. hiv, hepatitis and herpes igg blood tesitng after 3 months.
testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia 2 days post encounter was too early too. syphilis testing has to be at least 6 weeks post encounter. hiv, hepatitis and herpes igg blood tesitng after 3 months.
I got testing for Gonorrhea and Clamidya 2 days after possible infection. Came up negative. Tested for a UTI 3 days later. Came up negative I was tested for HIV, Hepatitis, Syphallis, and Herpes (1 and 2, IgM). All came up negative.
I have heard over and over how bad the IgM test is. I understand its flaws regarding positive results, but I am interested in flaws with a negative result. If I test negative for herpes 1 and 2 IgM, is that reliably negative? Is 5 days too early to pick up the IgM antibodies?
I have heard over and over how bad the IgM test is. I understand its flaws regarding positive results, but I am interested in flaws with a negative result. If I test negative for herpes 1 and 2 IgM, is that reliably negative? Is 5 days too early to pick up the IgM antibodies?
did you get gonorrhea, chlamydia, trich and ngu testing when you were seen 5 days post encounter?
A one-night stand where I had unprotected sex. Started having UTI and STD symptoms the day after. When I asked my partner about her sexual history, she seemed to get around if you know what I mean and was not educated regarding STD testing.
there are good reasons why the CDC currently recommends that herpes igm testing not even be done on adults - it's a bad test over all as you have already found out.
Indeed you should seek out hsv2 igg blood testing 3 months post encounter if you are concerned. what was your encounter?
grace
Indeed you should seek out hsv2 igg blood testing 3 months post encounter if you are concerned. what was your encounter?
grace
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You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
