NEED AN ANSWER FROM A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL IN THIS FORUM REGARDING HERPES TESTS.

[Nilwala]

A couple of months ago I had an unprotected sexual intercourse. Thereafter I participated a STD clinic which is conducted by a government hospital. They conducted several blood tests for three months (105 days) and informed that I haven't had any STD. But they further said that they are not conducting any test for herpes by saying that it is a common disease. Anyhow as per the things, I observed through the internet I refused that statement and consulted a private consultant physician in this regard. There, he told me to conduct a HSV IgG test and it was done on the 98th day (after 14 weeks) of that incident. According to the results, both these values were low negatives and that physician told me that I haven't had any issue. But later on, I happened to meet a doctor from that clinic which I participated initially and I revealed my experience regarding the herpes testings. Having listened to my words he told me that HSV IgG test is not an accurate measure in this regard and he further said that it has been mentioned in the world health standards also. He further said herpes cannot be detected without conducting HSV IgM test. He further stated that the HSV IgG is a primary level test and the HSV IgM is the secondary test which has to be done in this regard. Therefore he advised me to conduct HSV IgM test as well. Therefore after 160days of that incident did a HSV IgM test and according to the IgM result, it shows that (HSV IgM1 ) was positive and (HSV IgM2) was negative. That test report indicates that I'm suffering from oral herpes. Then I contacted the doctor who instructed me to do the IgM test and explained the scenario. There he also stated that I'm suffering from Herpes. Then I meet the consultant physician who instructed me to do only the HSV IgG test and informed my scenario. He said that I don't need to worry because IgG test is the most suitable and powerful test. He further said that my HSV IgG test has been done after a good, reasonable and recommended time period and I don't need to worry if I haven't had that type of unprotected sexual intercourse again (Actually I haven't had any sexual experience after that).He further said igM tests mostly gives confusions and it is not recommended by the medical professionals. If there's a discrepancy among these tests, the patient is still safe if his HSV igG tests are good. Therefore I don't need to worry. (I don't have any symptoms in body also).

Based on my above experiences, I need to ask the following questions.
• Am I suffering from herpes or Am I completely safe?.
• Which physicians statement is correct?.
• What is the most suitable test HSV IgG or HSV IgM?.
• It is necessary to do both these tests or only IgG is enough?.
• Is it mentioned in any of the health standards that igG is not a good measure and igM is the good one?.
• If there’s a discrepancy between igG and igM tests, how the final judgment is made?.  

[auntiejessi]

Hi -

Am I suffering from herpes or Am I completely safe?.

Yes you are safe based on your dates and encounters.


• Which physicians statement is correct?.

The one who said to disregard the IgM. It is unreliable and shouldn't be done on adults at all.


• What is the most suitable test HSV IgG or HSV IgM?.

The IgG is definitely the best.


• It is necessary to do both these tests or only IgG is enough?.

IgG is enough.


• Is it mentioned in any of the health standards that igG is not a good measure and igM is the good one?.

Yes. See question 3 - https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2010/qanda/herpes.htm


• If there’s a discrepancy between igG and igM tests, how the final judgment is made?.  

Always go with the IgG once the appropriate amount of time has passed (which it has for you).



So you're good, and for your sexual health needs, maybe don't see the doc who told you to take the IgM test. He clearly doesn't know what he's talking about. Good for you for seeking out herpes testing on your own. :)

[Nilwala]

Thanks a lot, my dear unknown friend. May the God's blessings always be with you!!!!!!!!...........