Aa
Confused Beyond Words
I am a female. I have not had sexual intercourse or oral sex or genital contact in 5 years. I recently began dating a female partner, all we have done is kiss and touch. At one point, I felt she may have had fluid on her fingers and I sucked her fingers. I have touched her vagina about 3 times with no barrier but never directly touched mine or my oral area. We went to get tested so we could go to the next step, but my HSV 2 results came back IGM positive at 1:100 H while my igg results were negative (labcorp). My Igg for hsv 1 was positive, but I already knew I had that. My dr. proceeds to tell me I contracted type 2 within the last month and a half, but I had no idea how. The last person I made out with was Jan 2014 and all he did was touch my vagina. I touched his penis and we kissed. So I knew it couldn't be from him. My partner got tested and her igg hsv 2 results came back negative, but she did have type 1 igg positive. My dr. told me to get tested in 3 months and the igg will be +. I'm at that mark and am extrememly nervous and don't know how this is a possibility. I have called many medical professionals who tell me it is spread from skin to skin contact so there is a risk, and if the doctor told me my igm for type 2 was positive i was having a outbreak when I was tested and I have it. But I've never had any outbreak only a weird feeling inside my vagina like a irritation but no bumps. I have a bump on the outer vagina (pubic area) that has a bump that hurts to touch. My dr prescribed me generic valtrex, but I haven't taken it . Please advice are these doctors right? How could a doctor that's been practicing so long be wrong? Was there any risk involved? I got tested at Planned Parenthood getting my results next wk. Nervous bc they're using labcorp, but I heard lapcorp can also give false igg positive results. What should I do? I never cheated, and I believe her when she says she never cheated on me! Help!
*in the event
I'm popping back in due to the emotional burden this igm test has caused . Even though the igg confirmed a negative status it is still causing a slight paranoia . I wanted to know if anyone knows if this is normal? For example me and my partner had our first two encounters since testing (after breaking up for a while due to first test) and now it's worrying . No genital to genital contact just kissing, sucking of nipples, and at one point my lower thigh area above knee went against her underwear but I felt her body fluid on my leg thinking her underwear moved to the side . What is the risk in the bent she had type 2 due to seeing someone else after our break up ? If my leg rubbed against her vagina/fluids for about 30 seconds? Thank you
It is indeed conclusive, both you and your partner are negative.
Ok thankyou it's been 3 and a half months since the igm test so is that good enough for conclusive results?
As annoying as it is, your doctor would be able to point to training and standard practice regarding testing to claim they did the right thing. This argument would stand up. You must also have some form of 'loss' which could be argued that you have not suffered, despite the mental anguish and relationship strain.
I'd move on in happiness and knowledge and leave the incident far behind you.
I'd move on in happiness and knowledge and leave the incident far behind you.
I didn't go to the same dr this last time just fyi
Wanted to update my results came back igg - for hsv2 . I already knew I had type 1 these forums have really provided me with necessary info regarding the testing . False IGM tests are highly possible as seen through my situation for anyone else going through the same thing. Now should I consider a malpractice suit towards my dr? What should be my next steps?
Thank you for your help it really helps me . If it weren't for this forum I would be confused. You guys really contribute a lot thank you!
The chances of a false positive IgM far exceed the chances of your partner first cheating then actually being infected which is a low chance per episode and then not having an outbreak.
Please do not put too much weight on a blood test against the partnership you have. You've both done a sensible thing in testing and now you can move forward with confidence.
Please do not put too much weight on a blood test against the partnership you have. You've both done a sensible thing in testing and now you can move forward with confidence.
yes she was. But me being paranoid I guess freaks out thinking of the possibility of her cheating not long before she got tested making it undetectable when she was tested. I don't think she did, but it's the only way I could have anything if there's a possibility.
Was your partner a clear negative for HSV2? That confirms it, you can't possibly have HSV2.
and my igm test said it was type specific the igm for type 1 was -.
Thank you so much for your advice it relieves me for sure. But was there any risk associated with the activities described? And she did get tested after I received my results her igg was - . She was tested by labcorp.
HSV IgM antibody testing has serious problems. Use the search function on this and the now-defunct herpes and STD expert forums for more details. Here are the basics:
"n theory, IgM appears before IgG antibody, then goes away -- so IgM+/IgG- means new infection (probably under 6 weeks?), both pos is intermediate, and IgM-/IgG+ means longstanding infection, probably usually 3 months or more. The problem is that with HSV, IgM antibody often never appears; and when it does, it often persists forever, or rises again with a recurrent outbreak. Further, most or all available IgM testing don't distinguish between HSV1 and 2; a positive can come from either or both viruses, with no way to know which is actually responsible for the result. On top of all this, the HSV IgM test often gives false positive results, and a positive test is never reliably positive.
Many average docs in practice have poor understanding of HSV blood tests in general and the IgM test in particular. Sounds like your doc is typical.
However, the bottom line advice from your doc makes sense: Have a type specific IgG test in 3 months. But he's wrong in the result to expect. It will be negative, hopefully relieving your fears. (Actually, if I were in your place, I wouldn't feel the need for IgG testing. But my guess is you'll remain nervous until you have the confirmatory negative test result.)
"n theory, IgM appears before IgG antibody, then goes away -- so IgM+/IgG- means new infection (probably under 6 weeks?), both pos is intermediate, and IgM-/IgG+ means longstanding infection, probably usually 3 months or more. The problem is that with HSV, IgM antibody often never appears; and when it does, it often persists forever, or rises again with a recurrent outbreak. Further, most or all available IgM testing don't distinguish between HSV1 and 2; a positive can come from either or both viruses, with no way to know which is actually responsible for the result. On top of all this, the HSV IgM test often gives false positive results, and a positive test is never reliably positive.
Many average docs in practice have poor understanding of HSV blood tests in general and the IgM test in particular. Sounds like your doc is typical.
However, the bottom line advice from your doc makes sense: Have a type specific IgG test in 3 months. But he's wrong in the result to expect. It will be negative, hopefully relieving your fears. (Actually, if I were in your place, I wouldn't feel the need for IgG testing. But my guess is you'll remain nervous until you have the confirmatory negative test result.)
Your doctor is a bit jumpy.
Most likely you do not have HSV2. You IgG is unlikely to turn positive, which it must and strongly in order to confirm an infection.
Once you have one form of HSV, in your case HSV1, then all forms of IgM testing are invalidated in terms of attempting to infer an infection of the other type. They must be totally disregarded.
If your current partner does not have HSV2 then there is no chance you do. Perhaps she could test?
Most likely you do not have HSV2. You IgG is unlikely to turn positive, which it must and strongly in order to confirm an infection.
Once you have one form of HSV, in your case HSV1, then all forms of IgM testing are invalidated in terms of attempting to infer an infection of the other type. They must be totally disregarded.
If your current partner does not have HSV2 then there is no chance you do. Perhaps she could test?
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.
