HSV 2 igm positive, igg negative

[paul1042]

Hi,
I have couple of questions regarding my test result. I tested the HSV2 igg and igm about one to two years ago and both were negative. I had the same test last week but it is positive in igm but negative in igg and the HSV 1 is also tested negative.  I do not have different girl sexual contact between the two tests. I got  zoster about three months ago and was cured.
my questions

1) If I was infected, why the 1st and 2nd igg is negative ? Is that any case that someone is infected but never have a positive igg.
2) Can the 2nd igg tested negative 100% tell us that the 2nd igm is false positive by cross reaction with zoster or other false, because igg must be produced by the body after infected?
3) If it is false positive igm, why igm still be positive after 3 months time?

I am very anxious and hope somebody can answer my questions,  thanks

[Sports543]

IGg test hsv1- 32.10 ....hsv2  0.13 ...igm (which I know lacks accuracy) hsv 1 - negative hsv2 positive with a titer 1:20 "A" . I received this result end of last week with no explanation from doctor only that I had hsv 1 and 2. 2 months ago I had shingles...that has subsided...last week I had a couple of rashes on penis that doc thought could be herpes which is why blood test was performed. Went to dermatologist who thought it was probably a fungal infection and said it did not look like herpes. I do have swollen lymph nodes in groin area. Very confused with what I have and or what I should do next. I am confused that if the accurate igg test says I don't have hsv2, why is doctor telling me I have hsv2 and 1 because of iGM test. Please help. I am extremely confused and stressed with this whole thing.

[gracefromHHP]

it's a very flawed test and is often falsely positive which is why we don't recommend it's use for diagnosing herpes.  yes even though in theory the igm would go away a few months after being infected, it often reactivates during recurrences and some folks just will test + for it all the time. we have posters whose hsv igm is + for months here on the forums and even years after being infected.  

[paul1042]

thank you Grace,

still have some question,
You said above"Your igm might be + for the rest of your life even", What it mean? igm suppose should go down after sometime and igg start and retain for the whole life.

[gracefromHHP]

you have no reason to think you have herpes based on a + igm.  the CDC recommends the test not be done even in it's newest guidelines it's THAT inaccurate!

fungal infections can look like herpes infections and they are very hard to treat. continue to follow up with your provider and/or a dermatologist to try to get rid of it for once and for all.

[paul1042]

grace,

It is because the igm data shows that it is positive, and the symptoms looks like herpes, also, the doctor told me that I am infected (maybe he is not professional). I know that in this forum that the igm mean nothing. Can the two igg negative say that I am  not infected?

help

[gracefromHHP]

fungal infections aren't cured with antibiotics or antivirals. you need antifungals.

why do you think you have herpes when your tests are negative each time?

grace

[paul1042]

Grace,

Doctor did not provide the test number to me, only positive or negative answer.
The zoster is visual diagnosis, the symptoms is no questions that it was zoster. it cured after using the valtrex treatment.
1) If I was infected, why the 1st and 2nd igg is negative (no data at this moment)? Is that any case that someone is infected but never have a positive igg.

I have the following symptoms
1) Small Reddish spot, the spot lead to small sores forming and sometime blisters, no itching and no pain, a little white discharge.
2) Throughout these two years, the above symptoms will go away after two or three  weeks, it lie dormant, and outbreak reoccur soon after sexual contact if not to use condom.
3) Candida albicans infection is found from my culture test. I have tried different types of antibiotics and valtrex treatment but is no use for the above outbreak.
4) My partner do not have symptoms.

I do not know if I have both Candida and herpes or the symptoms are only caused by one of them.

My question:
Can the reoccur outbreak caused by sexual contact if my partner has/hasn’t been infected ?

[gracefromHHP]

I can best help you if you get your latest test results to post here. the igm herpes test isn't helpful so it being + is meaningless. the CDC herpes guidelines currently recommend the herpes igm test not be drawn on adults because of the false positive issues with it.  just post the numeric results of your igg test - e.g. hsv1 igg  .45 and hsv2 igg .23 or whatever they are so I can be sure you were properly tested.    Your igm might be + for the rest of your life even. as I said, flawed test that shouldn't be drawn.

herpes zoster isn't really ever cured. it's a reactivation of the same virus that causes chicken pox and stays in our body for life. It tends not to reoccur very often. did you just have a visual diagnosis of shingles a few months ago or actual testing to confirm it?

grace