Need Help Reading Test results

[ericd99]

I had a canker sore in my mouth and I have noticed very small little bubble-type things underneath my tongue - the sore has healed but the little bubbles (which are painless and clear) have not gone away - this is now 4-5 weeks that I have noticed they are present and still do not seem to be going away.

Is it possible that I do not have herpes?

On April 8th I had the HSV IGM blood test done and the results came back as "HSV IGM TITER 1:40".  But as I read many of the posts here it seems that many consider the IGM test "meaningless".  If I am infected I need to know what type so on April 19th I had the "HSV 1 IGG, Herpeselect" test and the "HSV 2 IGG Herpeselect" test and both results were reported to me as <0.90.

So I am confused, but of course hopeful that I do not have herpes of any type.  I am looking for any input about this - thank you!!

[gracefromHHP]

the igm herpes test is a greatly flawed test and we don't recommend using it.  http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Confusiion-over-other-IgM-Herpes-posts/show/248394  is a prior post by HHH that goes into more details as to why we don't recommend its use.

grace

[ericd99]

Thanks Grace!
I am just still confused and trying to understand the difference between the two tests (igm and igg) and my results.  I am confused because the igm result was positive, but both igg tests were negative - how can that be?

[gracefromHHP]

that person didn't say anything different to you than I have .  I'm not sure what your question is about what they said?

grace

[ericd99]

Thank you Grace!  I have also shared my test results with someone from the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science - my questions and her response are below - does this make sense to you?  Anything else you think I should consider?

---------------
from me:
Attached are my two test results. The first was taken on April 8th which you have already commented on.  The second was taken on April 19th.  The first test was an IgM test - do you agree with this Doctor (http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Risk-assessment-and-testing/show/1222628)?  He repeatedly writes that IgM tests are "meaningless".  If I am positive for HSV, I need to know which type and so that is why I had the IgG tests done to identify Type I or Type II.  I don't really see where my results are indicated on this 2nd report - it appears that for both Type I and Type II results my score was <0.90.

Is it possible that I do not have herpes at all?

from Cheryl Caskey:
The interpretative information on your first report indicated there could be crossreactivity with EBV, CMV, and Varicella zoster and that is why the test was repeated; the repeat tests were also specific for HSV 1 and 2.  IgM antibodies would indicate an active or recent infection so those results can be meaningful.  Significantly increasing levels of IgG antibodies would indicate a current or recent infection as well.

Looking at your most recent test results, they are both in the negative range.  Negative HSV antibody results mean that it is unlikely that the person has been exposed to HSV or that the body has not had time to begin producing HSV antibodies.

[gracefromHHP]

canker sores are not herpes.

the bubble things under your tongue are not herpes.  sounds more like mucocele's or something similar.

you had the old titer igm test done which is even more inaccurate than the  newer igm tests for herpes.

your igg results are both negative. even the best blood tests for herpes still miss 1 out of every 10 hsv1 infections but none of the symptoms you've described sound like oral herpes going on.

grace