HERPes

[chances1]

OK, now I am really confused.  My IGG are both negativea and the IGM type specific is negative on HSV2 but positive for HSV1. I have had no symptoms orally or genitally, but have had the bumpy blistery rash on left knee then red bumps and rash on right knee a week later and some red bumps and red clusters on arm and hand.  So, what the hell did I get?  HSV1 on legs?  This seems really impossible. And I didn't even have any kind of sex, just heavy petting naked.

[chances1]

I am pretty confident it is.  Because a week later more bumps started on my right leg and rash plus some scratch marks.  And they all went away on their own. It is obvious the IGM can not be trusted because I never had oral herpes.  And 4 years ago I tested positiveon IGM and then negative on IGG 4 months later.

[gracefromHHP]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/248394  HHH said it best already so I see no reason for us to repeat it. Really there is good reason why Jess told you to ignore the igm results no matter what the folks at focus labs told you.  

This could be a zillion things on your knee. Chances are good it's not herpes. I'd continue follow up with your regular provider or a dermatologist.

grace

[chances1]

Well, I think now that I had a cut on my knee because I see a scar now that the swelling has gone down. I think I got it from virus shedding onto the open cut.  IGM was negative on HSV2 and the IGG.  There are type specific IGM. I spoke to Focus labs which gave me the results.

[auntiejessi]

If the IgM worked, it should show a recent infection.  It can also be reactive if you have another infection, a herpes recurrence, or just because it felt like it.  Its just not a reliable test.

And it is good that the hsv2 was negative, on the IgG.

I don't know what it is, but its not sounding like herpes.  Herpes probably wouldn't linger for that long.  Maybe posting in the dermatology forum would get some better suggestions.

Aj

[chances1]

Well I hear that, but isn't it good that the HSV2 was neg?  The problem has disappereared within 3-4 weeks.  THe IGM shows recent infection doesn't it?

[auntiejessi]

Ignore the IgM totally.  Its not at all reliable, and it shouldn't have been done on you.  Its wrong more often than its right.

Have you seen a dermatologist?  Perhaps you have a bacterial infection that needs an antibiotic.

Aj